As fascinating as it is to look at the Moon from Earth, we don’t always get the best view. When you want to get up close and personal with Earth’s companion, you can always turn to technology. Google offers you two different ways to explore the Moon: Through Google Maps, and Google Earth Pro. Here’s how to use both.
From Google Maps
1. Open Google Maps.
Go to https://www.google.com/maps. It doesn’t matter where it takes you, but you will most likely be centered automatically on your location.
2. Click on “Satellite” in the corner to switch to satellite view.
In the bottom left hand corner, you should see a square that says “Satellite.” When you click on this, the map image will switch to a satellite layout.
3. Zoom all the way out until a new menu pops up on the side titled “Space.”
In the bottom right hand corner there are several controls. Find the “-” sign and click it until you have zoomed out as far as you can go. You should end up with the globe of the Earth in the center of the screen and a menu on the left side that says “Space” and has a list of planets and moons.
4. Click on “Moon.”
In the menu on the left, the Moon should be the fifth selection down, just underneath the International Space Station. Click on it.
5. You can now click and drag to view the Moon at different angles.
Try zooming in and clicking on the different names that appear in white to see what they are. Many of these are craters, and when you click on them another window will pop up telling you how big they are, who discovered them, and other interesting facts.
From Google Earth Pro
1. Download Google Earth Pro if you don’t have it already.
This can be done at https://www.google.com/earth/versions/. After the installation process, the application should open automatically.
2. Open Google Earth Pro.
If you already have Google Earth Pro downloaded, open it.
3. On the top bar, click the planet icon.
The top bar to the right of “Search” will have several icons. Find the one that’s orange and shaped like Saturn with a ring around it. Click on this icon, and a dropdown menu will appear.
4. Select Moon.
In the dropdown menu, at the bottom, you should see “Moon.” Click it.
5. Zoom in to explore the many interactive features.
Google Earth Pro offers more to read, see, and explore on the Moon than Google Maps does. Aside from crater names and dimensions, you’ll also find articles detailing certain features, along with many stunning photographs.
From Google Maps
1. Open Google Maps.
Go to https://www.google.com/maps. It doesn’t matter where it takes you, but you will most likely be centered automatically on your location.
2. Click on “Satellite” in the corner to switch to satellite view.
In the bottom left hand corner, you should see a square that says “Satellite.” When you click on this, the map image will switch to a satellite layout.
3. Zoom all the way out until a new menu pops up on the side titled “Space.”
In the bottom right hand corner there are several controls. Find the “-” sign and click it until you have zoomed out as far as you can go. You should end up with the globe of the Earth in the center of the screen and a menu on the left side that says “Space” and has a list of planets and moons.
4. Click on “Moon.”
In the menu on the left, the Moon should be the fifth selection down, just underneath the International Space Station. Click on it.
5. You can now click and drag to view the Moon at different angles.
Try zooming in and clicking on the different names that appear in white to see what they are. Many of these are craters, and when you click on them another window will pop up telling you how big they are, who discovered them, and other interesting facts.
From Google Earth Pro
1. Download Google Earth Pro if you don’t have it already.
This can be done at https://www.google.com/earth/versions/. After the installation process, the application should open automatically.
2. Open Google Earth Pro.
If you already have Google Earth Pro downloaded, open it.
3. On the top bar, click the planet icon.
The top bar to the right of “Search” will have several icons. Find the one that’s orange and shaped like Saturn with a ring around it. Click on this icon, and a dropdown menu will appear.
4. Select Moon.
In the dropdown menu, at the bottom, you should see “Moon.” Click it.
5. Zoom in to explore the many interactive features.
Google Earth Pro offers more to read, see, and explore on the Moon than Google Maps does. Aside from crater names and dimensions, you’ll also find articles detailing certain features, along with many stunning photographs.
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