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Google Earth's core technology originated from Intrinsic Graphics, a company focused on 3D gaming software libraries.
Answer: True
Explanation: The foundational technology for Google Earth was initially developed at Intrinsic Graphics, a company specializing in 3D gaming software libraries.
Google Earth was initially developed by Keyhole, Inc. as a standalone product called EarthViewer before Google's acquisition.
Answer: True
Explanation: Keyhole, Inc. developed its mapping technology as a product named EarthViewer prior to its acquisition by Google.
Google acquired Keyhole, Inc. in October 2005, integrating its technology into Google Earth the following year.
Answer: False
Explanation: The acquisition of Keyhole, Inc. by Google occurred in October 2004, not 2005. Google Earth was subsequently launched in 2005.
Keyhole's technology was significantly boosted in public awareness when utilized by news networks during the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan.
Answer: False
Explanation: The significant boost in public awareness for Keyhole's technology occurred during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, when it was used by news networks, not during the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan.
Following its increased visibility, Keyhole, Inc. received interest from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for its mapping technology.
Answer: False
Explanation: Keyhole, Inc. received interest from government-affiliated venture capital firms such as In-Q-Tel (associated with the CIA) and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, not the FBI.
Which company's core technology originally formed the basis for Google Earth?
Answer: Intrinsic Graphics
Explanation: The foundational technology for Google Earth originated from Intrinsic Graphics, a company specializing in 3D gaming software libraries.
How did Keyhole, Inc. initially develop its mapping technology?
Answer: By developing a method for streaming large mapping data over the internet and acquiring various mapping data sources.
Explanation: Keyhole, Inc. developed its mapping technology by creating a system for streaming extensive mapping data over the internet and by acquiring diverse mapping datasets.
What event significantly boosted public awareness and demand for Keyhole's software?
Answer: Its utilization by news networks during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Explanation: The utilization of Keyhole's EarthViewer by news networks during the 2003 invasion of Iraq significantly elevated public awareness and demand for the software.
Which government-affiliated venture capital firm showed interest in Keyhole's technology?
Answer: In-Q-Tel (CIA's venture capital firm)
Explanation: In-Q-Tel, the venture capital firm associated with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), showed significant interest in Keyhole's mapping technology.
When did Google acquire Keyhole, Inc.?
Answer: October 2004
Explanation: Google acquired Keyhole, Inc. in October 2004.
Google Earth's coverage currently extends to approximately 75 percent of the world's surface.
Answer: False
Explanation: According to Google's 2019 statement, Google Earth's coverage extends to over 97 percent of the world's surface, not approximately 75 percent.
Google Earth primarily uses satellite imagery and aerial photography, supplemented by GIS data, to map the Earth's surface.
Answer: True
Explanation: Google Earth's mapping methodology relies predominantly on satellite imagery and aerial photography, augmented by Geographic Information System (GIS) data for comprehensive surface representation.
Google Earth's imagery transitions to higher resolution as users zoom out from the planet's surface.
Answer: False
Explanation: Google Earth's imagery transitions to higher resolution as users zoom *in* on a location, providing finer detail, not as they zoom out.
The gaps found in Landsat 7 imagery, used by Google Earth, were caused by a malfunction in the satellite's camera hardware.
Answer: True
Explanation: The diagonal gaps observed in Landsat 7 imagery, which Google Earth utilized, were indeed a consequence of a hardware malfunction on the satellite.
In 2013, Google employed datamining to create seamless planetary mosaics by eliminating clouds and gaps in imagery, improving upon the Landsat 7 data.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 2013, Google utilized datamining to construct seamless planetary mosaics by removing clouds and gaps from imagery, thereby enhancing the overall visual continuity.
Google Earth displays ocean floor imagery with a resolution typically higher than that of terrestrial landscapes.
Answer: False
Explanation: Ocean floor imagery in Google Earth generally has a lower resolution, ranging from 100 to 1,000 meters, compared to the typical terrestrial resolution of 0.15 to 15 meters.
Google Earth uses digital elevation model data from NASA's Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) to render three-dimensional terrain.
Answer: True
Explanation: Google Earth primarily employs digital elevation model data from NASA's Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) to render the three-dimensional aspects of the Earth's terrain.
In 2011, Google enhanced deep ocean floor resolution by increasing grid size from 100 meters to 1 kilometer.
Answer: False
Explanation: In 2011, Google enhanced deep ocean floor resolution by *decreasing* the grid size from 1 kilometer to 100 meters, based on scientific data.
What is the primary function of Google Earth?
Answer: To create a three-dimensional representation of Earth using satellite imagery and GIS data.
Explanation: The primary function of Google Earth is to generate a three-dimensional model of the Earth by integrating satellite imagery, aerial photography, and Geographic Information System (GIS) data.
According to Google's 2019 statement, what percentage of the world does Google Earth cover?
Answer: Over 97%
Explanation: As stated by Google in 2019, Google Earth provides coverage for over 97 percent of the world's surface.
How does Google Earth handle imagery as users zoom in on a location?
Answer: It transitions to imagery with finer detail for the same area.
Explanation: As users zoom into a location on Google Earth, the displayed imagery transitions from a broader view to one with progressively finer detail for that specific area.
What issue did Google address in Landsat 7 imagery used in Google Earth?
Answer: Diagonal gaps caused by a hardware malfunction
Explanation: Google addressed issues related to diagonal gaps in Landsat 7 imagery, which were caused by a hardware malfunction on the satellite.
In 2013, Google used datamining techniques primarily to achieve what improvement in Google Earth imagery?
Answer: Create seamless mosaics by eliminating clouds and gaps.
Explanation: In 2013, Google utilized datamining to construct seamless planetary mosaics by removing clouds and gaps from imagery, thereby enhancing the overall visual continuity.
What is the typical resolution range for Google Earth's ocean floor imagery?
Answer: 100 to 1,000 meters
Explanation: The resolution for Google Earth's ocean floor imagery typically ranges from 100 to 1,000 meters.
What data source does Google Earth primarily use for rendering the three-dimensional appearance of much of the Earth's terrain?
Answer: Data from the SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission)
Explanation: Google Earth primarily employs digital elevation model data from NASA's Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) to render the three-dimensional aspects of the Earth's terrain.
How did Google enhance the resolution of deep ocean floor areas in 2011?
Answer: By improving the resolution from 1-kilometer grids to 100 meters based on scientific data.
Explanation: In 2011, Google enhanced the resolution of deep ocean floor areas by refining the data grid from 1-kilometer intervals to 100 meters, utilizing scientific data.
The 'Voyager' feature in the web-based Google Earth provides curated, guided tours often presented by experts.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'Voyager' feature in the web-based Google Earth comprises a collection of curated, in-program tours, frequently presented by experts, that guide users through various topics and locations.
Google Earth only allows exploration of planet Earth and does not include features for celestial bodies.
Answer: False
Explanation: Google Earth includes dedicated features for exploring celestial bodies such as the Moon and Mars, as well as a feature for viewing the night sky.
A flight simulator game is a standard feature included within the Google Earth desktop application.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Google Earth desktop application incorporates a flight simulator game, allowing users to navigate the virtual globe.
Google Earth integrates information from Wikipedia by displaying brief excerpts of entries for specific locations when using the 'I'm Feeling Lucky' feature.
Answer: True
Explanation: Google Earth integrates Wikipedia information by presenting entries or excerpts for specific locations, thereby furnishing users with contextual data directly within the application, often accessible via features like 'I'm Feeling Lucky'.
The 'Historical Imagery' feature, introduced in version 5.0, allows users to view only the most recent satellite imagery available for a location.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'Historical Imagery' feature enables users to view and compare earlier satellite images of a specific location, facilitating the observation of changes over time, not just the most recent imagery.
The 'timelapse' feature in Google Earth can access imagery dating back approximately 50 years.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'timelapse' feature in Google Earth can access imagery dating back approximately 38 years, not 50 years.
Google collaborated with the Louvre Museum in Paris to photograph its artworks at extremely high resolution for Google Earth.
Answer: False
Explanation: Google collaborated with the Museo del Prado in Madrid, not the Louvre Museum in Paris, to photograph artworks at extremely high resolution for Google Earth.
Google Street View was fully integrated into Google Earth in April 2008 with version 4.3.
Answer: True
Explanation: Google Street View was fully integrated into Google Earth in April 2008, coinciding with the release of version 4.3.
Google Ocean, introduced in 2009, allows users to explore the underwater world using 3D bathymetry data.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Google Ocean feature, introduced in 2009, enables users to explore the underwater world by utilizing 3D bathymetry data and various informational layers.
Google Earth provides features for exploring Mars, the Moon, and the Sun.
Answer: False
Explanation: Google Earth offers exploration features for Mars and the Moon, as well as the night sky, but not for the Sun.
Google Moon was launched on July 20, 2009, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission.
Answer: True
Explanation: Google Moon was integrated into Google Earth on July 20, 2009, aligning with the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission.
Besides Earth, what other celestial bodies can be explored within Google Earth?
Answer: The Moon and Mars
Explanation: Beyond Earth, Google Earth offers exploration capabilities for the Moon and Mars, along with features for observing the night sky.
What gaming feature is integrated into the Google Earth desktop application?
Answer: A flight simulator game
Explanation: The Google Earth desktop application incorporates a flight simulator game, allowing users to navigate the virtual globe.
How does Google Earth integrate information from Wikipedia?
Answer: By displaying Wikipedia entries or excerpts for certain locations.
Explanation: Google Earth integrates Wikipedia information by presenting entries or excerpts for specific locations, thereby furnishing users with contextual data directly within the application.
What is the 'Voyager' feature in the web-based Google Earth?
Answer: A collection of curated, in-program tours often presented by experts.
Explanation: The 'Voyager' feature in the web-based Google Earth comprises a collection of curated, in-program tours, frequently presented by experts, that guide users through various topics and locations.
What capability does the 'Historical Imagery' feature provide?
Answer: Enables users to see earlier satellite imagery of a location over time.
Explanation: The 'Historical Imagery' feature enables users to view and compare earlier satellite images of a specific location, facilitating the observation of changes over time.
How far back can the 'timelapse' feature in Google Earth access imagery?
Answer: Up to 38 years
Explanation: The 'timelapse' feature in Google Earth is capable of accessing imagery that dates back approximately 38 years.
Google collaborated with which museum to photograph artworks at extremely high resolution for Google Earth?
Answer: The Museo del Prado
Explanation: Google collaborated with the Museo del Prado in Madrid to photograph its artworks at extremely high resolution for integration into Google Earth.
When was Google Street View fully integrated into Google Earth?
Answer: April 2008
Explanation: Google Street View was fully integrated into Google Earth in April 2008, coinciding with the release of version 4.3.
What does the Google Ocean feature allow users to do?
Answer: Explore the underwater world with 3D bathymetry data.
Explanation: The Google Ocean feature enables users to explore the underwater world by utilizing 3D bathymetry data and various informational layers.
Google Earth initially relied on user-generated 3D building models created using software like SketchUp and Google Building Maker.
Answer: True
Explanation: Initially, Google Earth incorporated 3D building models that were generated by users through software such as SketchUp and Google Building Maker.
Google transitioned to auto-generated 3D meshes to replace user-generated buildings to achieve greater uniformity and remain competitive.
Answer: True
Explanation: Google transitioned to auto-generated 3D meshes to replace user-generated buildings primarily to achieve greater uniformity in visual representation and to maintain competitiveness within the mapping service landscape.
Google Earth version 5.0 introduced Google Ocean and the Historical Imagery feature.
Answer: True
Explanation: Google Earth version 5.0, released in May 2009, introduced two major features: Google Ocean, allowing underwater exploration, and Historical Imagery, enabling users to view past satellite imagery of locations.
Google Earth 7.3 made Google Earth Pro the standard desktop version and offered a free license key for its advanced features.
Answer: True
Explanation: Google Earth 7.3 standardized Google Earth Pro as the primary desktop version and provided free access to its advanced functionalities, making them available to all users.
Why did Google transition from user-generated 3D buildings to auto-generated 3D mesh?
Answer: To achieve greater uniformity and remain competitive with other mapping services.
Explanation: Google transitioned to auto-generated 3D meshes to replace user-generated buildings primarily to achieve greater uniformity in visual representation and to maintain competitiveness within the mapping service landscape.
The 'layers' feature in Google Earth allows users to view different media types like photos and videos related to specific places.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'layers' feature in Google Earth enables users to access and view various media types, including photos and videos, associated with particular geographic locations.
Users can navigate Google Earth on mobile devices using a keyboard and mouse.
Answer: False
Explanation: Navigation on mobile devices for Google Earth typically utilizes touch screens or styluses, not keyboards and mice.
What is Google Earth VR?
Answer: A version of Google Earth for virtual reality headsets like Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.
Explanation: Google Earth VR is a virtual reality application designed for use with VR headsets such as the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, enabling immersive navigation of the globe.
Concerns regarding privacy and national security have been raised due to Google Earth's detailed imagery of potentially sensitive locations.
Answer: True
Explanation: Concerns regarding privacy and national security have arisen due to Google Earth's capacity to render detailed imagery of sensitive locations, prompting scrutiny and, in some instances, censorship requests.
Google grants copyright ownership to users for any images they create using Google Earth data for commercial purposes.
Answer: False
Explanation: Google asserts copyright over images derived from its data and grants a license only for non-commercial personal use, not for commercial purposes.
What privacy and security concerns have been associated with Google Earth?
Answer: Its potential to display detailed imagery of sensitive locations, raising security concerns.
Explanation: Concerns regarding privacy and national security have arisen due to Google Earth's capacity to render detailed imagery of sensitive locations, prompting scrutiny and, in some instances, censorship requests.
Under what conditions does Google grant users a license to use images created from Google Earth data?
Answer: For non-commercial personal use, maintaining copyrights and attributions.
Explanation: Google permits the use of images created from its data under a license for non-commercial personal use, contingent upon the preservation of copyrights and proper attribution.