Google will begin using the Landsat 8 satellite and new processing techniques to get even better shots of the earth than before. With Landsat 8, Google will be able to capture around two times as many images as it could with Landsat 7. Back in 2003, Landsat 7 experienced a hardware failure which resulted in a loss of image quality and diagonal gaps of missing data.
From Google's announcement post:
Today we're rolling out an even more beautiful and seamless version, with fresh imagery from Landsat 8 satellite and new processing techniques for sharper images than ever before. Satellite images are often cloudy, but not always over the same place, so we looked at millions of images and took the clearest pixels to stitch together this cloud-free and seamless image.
The images that are being captured are quite awesome, and you should check the rest out at over on Google's post.
Reader comments
More-detailed satellite images headed to Google Maps and Earth
Sounds exciting! The view from space of our dying planet...
The planet will be fine. Us? Maybe not so much, but when we're gone she will straighten herself right up.
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That is so true
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To many ppl, that's the problem.
The earth pics are amazing! I love looking at places...
There will be no Landsat 9. Taking a cue from Microsoft they will just skip to 10 cause it sounds cooler.
Good deal
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So is the Google Maps app going to be updated soon, or?
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Images are remarkably improved. Amazing application.
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I hate the expression "two times" why not just say twice?
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Same here. But people who still say "half a dozen" really take the cake.
It's always good to meet a fellow pedant. ☺
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They may be higher resolution but they are also older than what was there prior to today, by many many months looking at some of the images in my area
Also, does Google deliberately remove people and cars (on the road not parking lots it seems) from satellite images? Looking at images of Disney World and there are cars in the lots but no people to be seen anywhere in the parks and all the roads I look at including always busy I-4 are empty.
Or maybe its a Disney thing, as further afield I do see cars on highways and people.
Looking even further afield it does seem that apart from a few sections moving vehicles and people are missing.
Hmmm... They don't look any more detailed yet.. Same blurry pics here....