View satellite images of the Earth

Platform : Windows 2000, Windows XP

Type: freeware

Manufacturer: NASA

Size: 60Mb

Rating: 4

Verdict: An excellent educational tool for broadband users

System Requirements:
2Gb Hard disk space Fast broadband connection

Just like Google Earth, World Wind from NASA displays images of the earth. A range of different satellite images can be used, including maps and urban data.

Elevation data is also included in the information from NASA so the viewing angle can be changed to show the lie of the land.

The software is linked into a database of events on the Earth visable from space including volcanoes and large fires.

For areas of the United States of America, airborne photography is available offering an impressive 1 pixel per metre resolution.

Fast broadband is required due to the sheer volume of information.