You’ve probably seen mapping programs that display satellite images of requested locations. Let’s take that one step further with some free programs. Each allows you to view satellite images, ranging in distance from a bird’s eye to a satellite’s eye. You can pick any point on earth and see recent photos of it. Tilt, pan, zoom, get directions and have those directions be played back to you. Watch the resulting video as if you’re watching from a camera mounted on a very fast and maneuverable plane.
Google Earth by Google
“Want to know more about a specific location? Dive right in — Google Earth combines satellite imagery, maps and the power of Google Search to put the world’s geographic information at your fingertips. Fly from space to your neighborhood. Type in an address and zoom right in. Search for schools, parks, restaurants, and hotels. Get driving directions.”
World Wind by NASA
“World Wind lets you zoom from satellite altitude into any place on Earth. Leveraging Landsat satellite imagery and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission data, World Wind lets you experience Earth terrain in visually rich 3D, just as if you were really there.”
Google Earth is listed first, because the download is smaller and the disk storage requirements are far less then World Wind, but you’ll still need a broadband connection in order to make it work.
If you’d like online programs that allow you to simply view satellite photos by simply clicking on a location or searching for an address, use the Microsoft TerraServer, MSN Virtual Earth or Google Maps (click on the “Satellite” link).