Google is now doing for the rest of the universe what they already did for Earth, by allowing computer users to view the universe around them.
The mapping service known as Google Earth has turned its sights on the night sky. Google, which already lets users download a free program in which they can zoom in and out on places all over the planet, is now doing the same thing for the sky.
To access Google Sky, users need to download the newest version of Google Earth (Google Earth 4.2). The new program works as a kind of virtual telescope. Using sky catalogs such as the Digital Sky Survey Consortium, the Anglo-Australian Observatory, and the United Kingdom Astronomy Technology Cener, Google Sky can provide a visual tour of the heavens above.
The space images, which will be updated as more current pictures are taken, include more than 100 million stars and 200 million galaxies. The view of the universe will be the one as seen from Earth (which is, of course, where the images were taken from). Just as you do with Google Earth, you can select your target and then zoom in on it with the images provided by the Hubble Space Telescope.
Google Sky will have a feature called layers that allow users to explore items more in depth. These layers include: constellations, backyard astronomy, Hubble Showcase, The Moon, The Planets, Users Guide to Galaxies, and Life of a Star.
To explain one of the layers in an example, for those looking for a more realistic view of sky objects that they can see from Earth, the backyard astronomy section allows users to see what targets such as stars, nebulae, and galaxies look like with the unaided eye, through binoculars, or through a telescope. This gives you a good comparison for when you are outside trying to find the object yourself. It will also help you gauge things such as the value of your optical devices and how light polluted your location is.
Google Sky will work as a great supplement to those reading Suite101's observing articles. Google Sky will show you what is in the night sky over your location. The stargazing articles about the constellations or what is in the sky for each month can teach you about what you are seeing overhead and the important things to look for.
Seeing the universe through Google Sky is a great pastime for amateur astronomers stuck with a cloudy night or wanting to see deeper than they can with their own telescope. Study the star charts at Google Sky to learn the stars over your head, but don't forget to go out sometimes to see the real ones for yourself.
