Satellite Images of Sacred Sites
©Lorena Loo
©Lorena Loo
I decided while I was working on putting together the next article here, I would post a brief tutorial on how you can use FlashEarth to zero in on sacred structures and sites around the globe.
So what is FlashEarth? It is a Flash application which utilizes satellite and aerial images from a number of online mapping websites such as Google Maps, Yahoo Maps and Microsoft VE. You can switch between the mapping websites but overall Google Maps provides the best view.
First step is to go to FlashEarth.com. Better to open in separate window if you are going to follow along from this tutorial, otherwise you will leave this page.
So what is FlashEarth? It is a Flash application which utilizes satellite and aerial images from a number of online mapping websites such as Google Maps, Yahoo Maps and Microsoft VE. You can switch between the mapping websites but overall Google Maps provides the best view.
First step is to go to FlashEarth.com. Better to open in separate window if you are going to follow along from this tutorial, otherwise you will leave this page.
© Copyright Lorena Loo
All images used in this tutorial are taken from Google Maps via FlashEarth and are copyrighted © by Google.
This applies only to the images in this article and not to other articles on this web site.
Text copyrighted © by Lorena Loo
This applies only to the images in this article and not to other articles on this web site.
Text copyrighted © by Lorena Loo
You should see a screen like the one to the left. The FLASH EARTH box in black contains brief instructions on how to navigate the maps. Once you've read it, just click anywhere in the black window to enter FlashEarth.
Take a look around the screen. In the top left hand corner there is a list of mapping sites.
Take a look around the screen. In the top left hand corner there is a list of mapping sites.
Google Maps is at the top and should be the default. If not, click on the open circle beside Google Maps and a solid dot appears inside it indicating it is the selected mapping.
This tutorial is based on using Google Maps. The latitude and longitude coordinates for sacred structures vary slightly between map systems so the values I give for these coordinates are the ones obtained using Google Maps.
In the top right hand corner is a compass which allows you to turn the map or move in the directions of north, south, east or west. Below that is a slidebar which allows you to zoom in or out. The same thing can be accomplished by scrolling with the wheel of your mouse if you have one that scrolls. You can also click on the map (left click for PC; I don't know about Macs as I do not have one) and drag the map while holding down the mouse button.
This tutorial is based on using Google Maps. The latitude and longitude coordinates for sacred structures vary slightly between map systems so the values I give for these coordinates are the ones obtained using Google Maps.
In the top right hand corner is a compass which allows you to turn the map or move in the directions of north, south, east or west. Below that is a slidebar which allows you to zoom in or out. The same thing can be accomplished by scrolling with the wheel of your mouse if you have one that scrolls. You can also click on the map (left click for PC; I don't know about Macs as I do not have one) and drag the map while holding down the mouse button.
When possible, I will include a link to FlashEarth giving the Google Map co-ordinates and hence aerial view of sacred sites if I mention them in articles.
That's it. Now go explore for yourself. To get you started, try this one. Type in Xian. From the co-ordinates given there, maneuver to these co-ordinates:
Latitude: 34 23' 52.3" N
Longitude: 108 42' 43.2" E
Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move through smaller increments. When you get as close to those co-ordinates as you can, zoom in. You will see one of the pyramids in China.
Happy hunting. Above all else, have fun in your explorations.
That's it. Now go explore for yourself. To get you started, try this one. Type in Xian. From the co-ordinates given there, maneuver to these co-ordinates:
Latitude: 34 23' 52.3" N
Longitude: 108 42' 43.2" E
Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move through smaller increments. When you get as close to those co-ordinates as you can, zoom in. You will see one of the pyramids in China.
Happy hunting. Above all else, have fun in your explorations.
In the lower right hand corner there is the location box which allows you to search for a location. Type "sphinx" in the box but without the quotation marks. Next either hit the return or enter key on your keyboard or click the magnifying glass in the search box. Once you do that, latitude and longitude coordinates show up beneath the search for a location box. You should get the same coordinates as in the image to the right.
Now zoom in and soon you will see an aerial view of the Sphinx but it will be below the square crosshair on your screen indicating its location is actually not exactly at the coordinates Google Maps came up with. If you check the other mapping sites, this is also true of them. You will also find there is a limit as to how close you can zoom in.
You may have noticed the three pyramids on the Giza plateau as you zoomed in on the Sphinx. If not, zoom out until you do see the three pyramids which lie west (to your left on the screen) of the Sphinx. That is what we really were interested in finding.
Now left click (for PCs) on the largest (the one furthest north) on these 3 pyramids. That is the Great Pyramid. While holding down on the left mouse button, drag the map until the apex of the pyramid is right under the square crosshair on the screen. The co-ordinates in the locator box change to give the latitude and longitude of the Great Pyramid.
Now left click (for PCs) on the largest (the one furthest north) on these 3 pyramids. That is the Great Pyramid. While holding down on the left mouse button, drag the map until the apex of the pyramid is right under the square crosshair on the screen. The co-ordinates in the locator box change to give the latitude and longitude of the Great Pyramid.
Now type in Mexico City in the locator box. From those co-ordinates, try moving to these co-ordinates:
Latitude: 19° 41' 33" N
Longitude: 98° 50' 37.6" W
You may not get it exactly but get as close as you can to those co-ordinates. Then zoom in until you see the image below. It is Teotihuacan's Pyramid of the Sun. It you drag the map until the apex of the pyramid is directly under the square crosshair, then you should get the latitude and longitude co-ordinates above if you use Google Maps.
Latitude: 19° 41' 33" N
Longitude: 98° 50' 37.6" W
You may not get it exactly but get as close as you can to those co-ordinates. Then zoom in until you see the image below. It is Teotihuacan's Pyramid of the Sun. It you drag the map until the apex of the pyramid is directly under the square crosshair, then you should get the latitude and longitude co-ordinates above if you use Google Maps.
