Great free program from NASA!!!

[meteo]

http://learn.arc.nasa.gov/worldwind/<br /><br />For anyone with an interest in geography this program is a dream. The SRTM features allow you to take landsat images, or topography maps and elevation data to produce a 3D overhead landscape view for any place in the world, with detail that can resolve a car. The servers are on again off again so you have to be patient.<br />

 

[kmarinas86]

YES!

 

[tom_hobbes]

Downloading as I type! Thanks for the tip. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />I can't wait to see what it looks like. I'm also downloading the UK specific version. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#339966"> I wish I could remember<br /> But my selective memory<br /> Won't let me</font><font size="2" color="#99cc00"> </font><font size="3" color="#339966"><font size="2">- </font></font><font size="1" color="#339966">Mark Oliver Everett</font></p><p> </p> </div>

 

[mousebot]

Yes I saw your raelians, they copulate all day long and then post pictures afterward with dancing teddy bears on them. I'll join up after I do something useful with my life...wait that’s never. All hail the alien gods eh? Or is it the cult leader with the balls to make it all up so he can sleep with who ever he wants?<br /><br /><br />As to the topo map program it's down for now, too much traffic. Looks really good and it might come in handy for a project we are working on. Looking at a second sight for an observatory and this would give us another perspective. Thanks for the link.

 

[kmarinas86]

man!!! every mayor should have one of these.... I felt like a civil engineer just by clicking through THE MAP <img src="/images/icons/tongue.gif" /> <br /><br />just waiting for the zoom in images to load feels like playing SimCity 3000

 

[tom_hobbes]

I've had a play with it and it's fabulous, it's a great way of getting to know the world. Thanks again meteo, and thanks NASA.<br /><br />I have one question for anyone who might know, why does the software need to set up a .NET user account on my machine to function? I removed this and it no longer downloads detail images from the net. Can anyone tell me if it's a potential security problem, or if I can get it to function without this? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#339966"> I wish I could remember<br /> But my selective memory<br /> Won't let me</font><font size="2" color="#99cc00"> </font><font size="3" color="#339966"><font size="2">- </font></font><font size="1" color="#339966">Mark Oliver Everett</font></p><p> </p> </div>

 

[mousebot]

The reason you aren't getting any new images from NASA is that their server is down. Apparently they didn't anticipate the demand for this product and now they are trying to figure out how to increase output. In the meantime they have some files you can download that will tide you over until they fix the problem.

 

[tom_hobbes]

But I could download, immediately before I removed the .NET user account thingy. It was fine. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#339966"> I wish I could remember<br /> But my selective memory<br /> Won't let me</font><font size="2" color="#99cc00"> </font><font size="3" color="#339966"><font size="2">- </font></font><font size="1" color="#339966">Mark Oliver Everett</font></p><p> </p> </div>

 

[mousebot]

If you click on USGS do you get those images?

 

[meteo]

Right I've had it for a few days but the Landsat and elevation features didn't start working until yesterday. Servers are still down it seems.

 

[tom_hobbes]

Nothing. I've had no connection to the servers since I messed around with the .Net thing. It could be a coincidence <br />I suppose. I've tried re-installing it a couple of times. It won't even use the add on packs, although I've only downloaded the manualy installed ones.<br /><br />ERRRRR! Brand new toy and I've broken it already! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#339966"> I wish I could remember<br /> But my selective memory<br /> Won't let me</font><font size="2" color="#99cc00"> </font><font size="3" color="#339966"><font size="2">- </font></font><font size="1" color="#339966">Mark Oliver Everett</font></p><p> </p> </div>

 

[meteo]

I'd just reinstall it. Do you only have Landsat selcted you can select other maps to look at.<br /><br />There are other maps that you can view. At the top of the screen you can select USGS 1m and Topography. It's only the Landsat and elevation that isn't downloading right now.<br /><br />The MODIS feature is also very cool check out the fall colors in the Northeast. Also there is some cool stuff in Animated Earth.<br />

 

[kelle]

I tried this program a while ago, but I couldn't figure out how it worked. Oh well, guess I gave up too soon (after 5 minutes) <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />Do I have to download something extra trough the program to be able to zoom in on landscapes and such? When I try to zoom in on something I just see a VERY low resolution image of the ground and a lot of names on cities and such.

 

[meteo]

At the top there are map options USGS 1m, topography, Landsat Visible and False. Select one, Landsat is default and the server for that is down so select another.

 

[kelle]

Aha! Thanks!<br /><br />But I only get "Problem connecting to server... trying again in 2 minutes" no matter what I pick. Oh well...

 

[meteo]

strange, it works on mine.

 

[tom_hobbes]

I'ts working sporadically now, meteo. Every now and then I get a small bit of Landsat download. So it must have been the server problem.<br /><br />Is USGC United States Geographic Survey or some such? I can get very detailed looks at the US which stop (annoyingly) at the borders! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#339966"> I wish I could remember<br /> But my selective memory<br /> Won't let me</font><font size="2" color="#99cc00"> </font><font size="3" color="#339966"><font size="2">- </font></font><font size="1" color="#339966">Mark Oliver Everett</font></p><p> </p> </div>

 

[meteo]

Yes USGS is US Geological Survey; Landsat is working fine now.

 

[siarad]

Took me a week to download, being on dial-up but just get fuzz when zooming in. <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" /> I'm amazed at the millions of place names even tiny places!

 

[meteo]

Select a map to view at the top of the screen.

 

[siarad]

Landsat has started working at last but the resolution is terrible but could be a problem with clouds. There isn't a better UK satellite. I guess this is for USA only which resolution is good from USGS which is now working .

 

[tom_hobbes]

Although the servers only allow periodic downloading it works often enough to very impressive. I notice that only certain regions have detailed topographical information included. Still, it's an amazingly enjoyable piece of software, and it's free!<br /><br />I sincerely hope there are plans to do the same for the Moon and Mars in the near future! A version for Mars would be particularly apprecited. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#339966"> I wish I could remember<br /> But my selective memory<br /> Won't let me</font><font size="2" color="#99cc00"> </font><font size="3" color="#339966"><font size="2">- </font></font><font size="1" color="#339966">Mark Oliver Everett</font></p><p> </p> </div>

 

[siarad]

It's only good within the confines of the USA. Well I guess it was USA taxpayers money so seems reasonably fair.

 

[tom_hobbes]

You won't find me complaining, I love it. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />Mars next! Pleeaaassseeee! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#339966"> I wish I could remember<br /> But my selective memory<br /> Won't let me</font><font size="2" color="#99cc00"> </font><font size="3" color="#339966"><font size="2">- </font></font><font size="1" color="#339966">Mark Oliver Everett</font></p><p> </p> </div>

 

[meteo]

Yeah, that would be great!