Spot Gallery

Spot Image

http://www.spotimage.com

View a KML showcasing Spot Image's best satellite views.

This KML created by the Spot Image showcases some of their best captures using the SPOT5 satellite. Each placemark provides a description balloon with matching image and links to more information along with the option to purchase the image.

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/spot_gallery_sm.jpg

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/spot_gallery_lg.jpg

Open in Google Earth

Sky Animation Videos

Virtual Tourism

http://www.virtualtourism.blogspot.com

View embedded YouTube video animations inside Sky.

In this KML, you can view YouTube videos that have been embedded into the placemark description balloons to match specific locations in Google Sky. Click on each placemark name to view the video and read a brief description of the celestial feature.

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/sky_videos_sm.jpg

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/sky_videos_lg.jpg

Open in Google Earth 4.2

XMM-Newton Gallery

XMM-Newton Science Operations Centre, ESA

http://xmm.esac.esa.int

View data collected by the XMM-Newton observatory in Sky.

Orbiting high above the Earth is the XMM-Newton observatory (named after Sir Isaac Newton). The European Space Agency have crafted this KML showing data collected by the program - matching the information available in Google Sky. Descriptions, photos and links are all included to provide a fascinating tour of space.

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/esa_sky_sm.jpg

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/esa_sky_lg.jpg

Open in Google Earth 4.2

Transit of Venus

Steven van Roode

http://www.transitofvenus.nl

Check out the where next transit of Venus will be visible from.

In 2012, a transit of Venus takes place(when Venus crosses between the Earth and the Sun). This KML explores both historical observations from previous transits and where will be the best place to view the next one from.

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/transit_venus_sm.jpg

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/transit_venus_lg.jpg

Open in Google Earth

Solar Eclipses: Past, Present and Future

Xavier Jubier

http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/SolarEclipsesGoogleEarthGallery.html

View detailed information about solar eclipses in this innovative KML.

Anyone who has witnessed a solar eclipse knows how spectacular the event is. In this very detailed KML, Xavier Jubier shows where and when each stage of the eclipse took place by using lines to show the paths taken. Detailed data showing co-ordinate and time information is also included inside the placemark description bubbles. We thoroughly enjoyed exploring this fascinating look at solar eclipses; past, present and future.

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/solar_eclipses_sm.jpg

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/solar_eclipses_lg.jpg

Open in Google Earth

The Multicolor Sky

The AEGIS collaboration

http://aegis.ucolick.org

Multicolor views of the distant Universe, from X-rays to the infrared.

The AEGIS project is studying a small area of the sky using every possible color (or energy) of light. This file presents both multicolor images and an interactive redshift catalog from AEGIS. Each image---X-ray, ultraviolet, optical (Hubble), or infrared---gives us different information about the evolution of galaxies and massive black holes over the past 10 billion years. The redshift (or z) provides a measure of distance - the farther we look in space, the farther we also look back in time. In addition, the redshift catalog provides links to the spectra of individual galaxies.

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/aegis_sm.jpg

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/aegis_lg.jpg

Open in Google Earth 4.2

Crab Nebula Animation

Joey P. Wade

View a spectacular animation of the Crab Nebula.

Located over 6000 light years from our planet, the Crab Nebula is the result of a supernova explosion first witnessed in 1054 AD. In this animation, created by Joey P. Wade, slides from a YouTube video have been overlaid and animated inside Google Sky. To view, press the play button next to the time animation slider and allow to run through a few times (this is to let the images load). Then sit back and enjoy!

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/crab_nebula_sm.jpg

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/crab_nebula_lg.jpg

Open in Google Earth 4.2

Chandra X-ray Observatory Image Tour

Chandra X-ray Center

http://chandra.harvard.edu

View the amazing images captured by the Chandra X-ray Observatory.

Previously in the Google Earth KML Gallery, we featured a KML showing the development of the Chandra X-ray Observatory from its conception to launch. Now the Chandra X-ray Center have provided us all with a tour of some of the amazing images captured by the observatory, viewed of course in Sky.

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/chandra_sky_sm.jpg

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/chandra_sky_lg.jpg

Open in Google Earth 4.2

SDSS layer

University of Washington

http://sky.astro.washington.edu

Use this layer to find out more about the objects in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey.

Ever wonder what you are looking at when you browse around the Sky?
The Sloan Digital Sky Survey provides high quality photometry for ~200,000,000 stars, galaxies and quasars. SDSS also provides spectroscopy for ~1,000,000 objects in the night sky. Use these layers to find out more information about the objects in view. Each object has associated apparent magnitudes and links to more information.

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/sdss_query_sm.jpg

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/sdss_query_lg.jpg

Open in Google Earth 4.2

GALEX Showcase

Dr. Alberto Conti, Space Telescope Science Institute

http://hubblesite.org/explore_astronomy/gsky

See the UltraViolet sky with GALEX. Learn about how galaxies form and evolve.

The Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) is an orbiting space telescope that will observe galaxies in ultraviolet light across 10 billion years of cosmic history. Such observations will tell scientists how galaxies, the basic structures of our Universe, evolve and change. Additionally, GALEX will probe the causes of star formation during a fperiod when most of the stars and elements we see today had their
origins.

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/galex_showcase_sm.jpg

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/galex_showcase_lg.jpg

Open in Google Earth 4.2

The NOAO Showcase: Local Group Galaxies

The National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO)

http://www.noao.edu

Explore our Galaxy's nearest neighbors with the NOAO Showcase.

Our Solar System resides in a large collection of stars known as the Milky Way Galaxy, which is itself part of a larger collection of galaxies called the Local Group. This gallery from the National Optical Astronomy Observatory highlights the diversity of shapes and sizes of 10 Local Group galaxies as well as the colorful glowing gas of the famous Large Magellanic Cloud.

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/noao_showcase_sm.jpg

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/noao_showcase_lg.jpg

Open in Google Earth 4.2

The Infrared Sky

University of Washington

http://sky.astro.washington.edu

Explore the hidden infrared Sky.

The Improved Reprocessing of the IRAS Survey (IRIS) is a full sky survey in the Infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. In this region the emission of dust in our own galaxy dominates the sky. Try to imagine how astronomy would be different if we could only see in the Infrared.

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/iris_infrared_sm.jpg

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/iris_infrared_lg.jpg

Open in Google Earth 4.2

VOEventNet

VOEventNet.org

http://voeventnet.org

VOEventNet gives you a live look at real-time astronomy.

The sky is a dynamic place. VOEventNet connects you directly to the data feeds astronomers use to track gamma ray bursts and gravitational microlensing events (if those terms don't make sense, don't worry: they're explained in the layer introduction). The links are updated every 15 minutes with new detections, follow-up observations and analysis. You will need to switch to Sky in Google Earth 4.2 to view this content.

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/voe_vent_net_sm.jpg

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/voe_vent_net_lg.jpg

Open in Google Earth 4.2

Where is Hubble?

STScI and NASA

http://hubblesite.org

Want to know where the Hubble Space Telescope is? Find out here.

Do you know where the Hubble Space Telescope is? It could be overhead or located somewhere else in the sky. When displayed in Sky, you can see where Hubble is projected on the background of stars, and it updates as Hubble moves! Is Hubble visible tonight? Have a look. You will need to switch to Sky in Google Earth 4.2 to view this content.

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/where_hubble_sm.jpg

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/where_hubble_lg.jpg

Open in Google Earth 4.2

Sally Ride Science

Sally Ride Science

http://www.sallyridescience.com

From Sally Ride Science, explore the Galaxy with "It's Astronomical!"

Take an educational tour through the universe beyond our own solar system with this preview of "It's Astronomical!", a series of books produced by Sally Ride Science. Led by Sally Ride, the first American female astronaut, Sally Ride Science is dedicated to fueling girls' and boys' interests in science, math and technology. You will need to switch to Sky in Google Earth 4.2 to view this content.

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/sally_ride_sm.jpg

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/sally_ride_lg.jpg

Open in Google Earth 4.2

Exploding Star Animation

Space Telescope Science Institute

http://hubblesite.org

What is a light echo? See one in action...

What is a light echo? See one in action as a star called V838 Mon explodes. These Hubble Space Telescope images show the light from the star reflecting off the dusty material nearby in various stages, showing an animation of the explosion. You will need to switch to Sky in Google Earth 4.2 to view this content.


http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/exploding_star_sm.jpg

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/exploding_star_lg.jpg

Open in Google Earth 4.2

Exoplanets

California and Carnegie Planet Search

http://exoplanets.org/

Visit the 200+ planetary systems discovered by astronomers with the California & Carnegie Planet Search.

The California & Carnegie Planet Search presents Exoplanets. This KML will take you on a tour of the 200+ extra-solar planets discovered by astronomers in the last two decades. View a diagram of the orbits for each planetary system, and compare to the orbits of Jupiter and Earth drawn in for scale. Additional information includes planetary masses, properties of the host star, and links to the original discovery papers. You will need to switch to Sky in Google Earth 4.2 to view this content.

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/exo_planets_sm.jpg

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/exo_planets_lg.jpg

Open in Google Earth 4.2

STScI's Best of Hubble Tour

STScI and NASA

http://hubblesite.org

Highlights from the Hubble Space Telescope ....

Enjoy some of the best images taken with the Hubble Space Telescope. Discoveries from the telescope have transformed the way we see the universe because Hubble's exquisite resolution shows extreme detail of astronomical objects. Browse through the images, and learn the science behind these amazing views of the universe. You will need to switch to Sky in Google Earth 4.2 to view this content.

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/best_of_hubble_sm.jpg

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/best_of_hubble_lg.jpg

Open in Google Earth 4.2

Solar System in Motion

Google, Inc

http://earth.google.com/sky/skyedu

Planets, moons and asteroids, zooming across the Sky....

Why stop at 8 planets? This KML includes 95 objects from the Solar System: the planets, dwarf planets, and major planet moons and asteroids... along with 2 years of orbital data. You can turn on the orbital path for each object in the file, showing the loops and curls as they go through their retrograde and prograde motions. Or zoom in on Jupiter and recreate the observations
that led Galileo to disprove the geocentric model of the Solar System. You will need to switch to Sky in Google Earth 4.2 to view this content.

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/solar_system_motion_sm.jpg

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/solar_system_motion_lg.jpg

Open in Google Earth 4.2

Microwave Sky

Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe

http://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/

A glimpse of the oldest light in the universe, as seen by the WMAP satellite.

This overlay, which maps out differences in temperatures in the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation, was created from data from the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe satellite. This map provides astronomers with the deepest possible look at the universe; the photons making up this image have traveled through space for over 13 billion years. The Microwave Sky helps researchers learn about the infancy of the universe, and puts our own Galaxy into new perspective. You will need to switch to Sky in Google Earth 4.2 to view this content.

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/microwave_sky_sm.jpg

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/microwave_sky_lg.jpg

Open in Google Earth 4.2