However, he can use the zoom function to show much more precise details, provided satellite, aerial images or other remote sensing data are supported by the software. Like a conventional globe, a virtual globe is a simplified representation of the real world.

Geographical features that can be emphasized are, for example, man-made features or abstract representations, such as population density or key figures of the economy. As a result, connections between the facts shown on the various maps can appear more understandable to the viewer than when looking at a real globe. The display of different map types in a short time sequence or the synthesis of different map levels (roads, bodies of water, land use, etc.) can be freely selected and current data (partly in real time) can be displayed via the Web Map Service (WMS).

Compared to conventional (real) globes, virtual globes have the advantage that they often allow many different representations of the earth's surface. These three-dimensional models were only created at the end of the 20th century after the graphic display options on the computer became sufficiently powerful.ĭepending on the operating function, a virtual globe gives the user the opportunity to move freely in a virtual environment, to control any point on it, to change the viewing angle and to zoom in and out using different scaling. Satellite image, without further data, but with sunshine and nightshade.Ī Virtual Globe (English virtual Globe ) or digital globe is a 3D software - model to represent the Earth or other celestial bodies. Screenshot of the NASA World Wind digital globe.

Dk 3d world atlas