Solar System in Google Earth
Following on from my Google Earth vs moons add-on, here’s another size comparison which includes all the planets too.
I’ve used an image overlay to ‘convert’ Google Earth into the Sun, and arranged 45, scale, 3D models of Solar System bodies next to it. The file can be downloaded here:
Solar System in Google Earth (7MB)
Visually, it works better if Google Earth’s atmosphere is switched off (View -> Atmosphere).
The large differences in size make this much harder to navigate than the moons file, but you can fly straight to a particular body by clicking on the appropriate model name or placemark under Places. Also, the glare(!) from the sun overlay can be annoying at times, but this can be toggled off.
As with the moon models the planet textures are based on real imagery, and come from the public domain sources listed below.
Credits
- Venus, Jupiter, Saturn - Björn Jónsson
- Neptune, Uranus - NASA/JPL/Hastings-Trew/Thomas
- Mercury, Pluto - NASA/JPL/Seal/Rawlings
- Mars, Earth - USGS
Related Posts:
- The many moons of Google Earth
- How to create textured globe 3d models
Related posts:
- Jupiter From New Horizons
- Jupiter, Cassini Time-Lapse Movie
- Other Planets
- Martian System in Google Earth
- Real Sized Planets in Google Sky
Another good one James!
Your topic is so excellent. But in view of me that, Views of the Solar System presents a vivid multimedia adventure unfolding the splendor of the Sun, planets, moons, comets, asteroids, and more. Discover the latest scientific information, or study the history of space exploration, rocketry, early astronauts, space missions, spacecraft through a vast archive of photographs, scientific facts, text, graphics and videos. Views of the Solar System offers enhanced exploration and educational enjoyment of the solar system and beyond.
Absolutely Great!
Hello, Put your Solar system loverlay on my google earth and now cannot get it off my screen. WOuld like to get my original screen with earth instead of the solar system back. How do I do this? Help!
Gary - check out the ‘My Places’ folder under ‘Places’ in the left Sidebar. You should see the Solar System file in there. Either toggle it off, or right click and delete it.
you solar system in earth has corrupted my original google earth,so whenever i log into google earth all i see is the sun superimposed on the earthglobe so i cant make out anything on the earth.please help to get my original view of the earth back
Saad - Have you checked the file isn’t in the ‘My Places’ folder, as I suggested to Gary ? Sometimes it can be difficult to find.
Let me know if you still have problems with it.
Hi. When I view the solar system, the sun (while pale yellow) has place names of the earth on it, eg. Gulf of Carpentaria, South Australia. Is there any way I can turn these off?
Also, the names of the planets seem to overlap the adjacent planets.
Thanks
awsome that is totally cool but you shoud make the picture bigger so you can feel like you are in outer space. when you took that picture were you in outer space?
i have seen the plantes there nufink . . . they are just dust and wil blow away soon . . . im sorry to dissapoint you
love u all x x x
In all honesty. I do not have the skill to do what you’ve done. But it still sucks.
How do you calibrate, “speed, Distance and Time”. And which way is up and down, N E W S , North East West and South?,…………M
its was great pleasure to solar system to see from house
sir,
In all honesty i would like to say that google earth is not giving proper pictures of earth as well as solar system & correct map of india
I know this is good but not to scale, you could fit 3 Earths on the spot on jupiter
every body download google earth 5.0 because you can go to earth,mars,sky and the moon so go and download it