Created in early 2004, UNEASYsilence aims to deliver daily coverage of offbeat & generally geeky news. Subscribe via RSS or Email.

READING single

Google Maps Super Zoom

Posted in Cool by Dan at 9:25 pm
closeThis post was published 2 years 8 months 1 day ago and its content may not be valid anymore.

zz6afc3baf.jpg

Google Maps has a hidden feature that allows anyone to zoom in extremely close on some satellite pictures. All you need to do is:

  • Select a location and switch to satellite view
  • Zoom in as far as you can, and click “link to this page” at the top right
  • Now replace the “z” parameter in the URL with a higher value, e.g. 20, 22, or 23, and wait. Some locations will now show more detailed imagery
  • This will increase the views SOME in major metro areas, and A TON in not so metro areas.

    Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

4 Responses to “Google Maps Super Zoom”

  1. Derrick says:

    Obvi I knew they could take satellite photos, but for some reason I didn’t think it could get a really clear image when zoomed in ”über close. I need to go watch “Enemy of the State” again. I mean, if they can get imagery from light years away, I’m sure they can see whether I take my coffee with milk. Well it’s official; the whole world is under surveillance. The only questions now remain, who access to those satellites, how difficult would it be for a direct link or hack to leak onto the internet, and what other freedoms might might we lose as time goes on?

  2. websnap says:

    Didn’t work for me at all

  3. Danny C says:

    If you want to see shockingly close, use live.com’s “birds eye view.”

  4. aob says:

    pretty sure these are pictures taken by aircraft. you can even see the shadow of a plane in a few of these “superzoom” pics.

Additional comments powered by BackType