The site was once equipped with missiles in the open air, with embankments between paired launch sites. Here, one of those sites, the Oahu Defense Area in Hawaii, is shown in 1968. His plan is to build a geo-referenced database so that anyone can research the Nike missile sites through Google Earth. Those missiles became obsolete with the advent of long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles (opens in new tab) (ICBMs).ĭavid Tewksbury, a GIS (geographic information system) specialist at Hamilton College in New York, aimed to preserve a visual record of the abandoned Nike missile launch sites before they vanish - either as a result of being reclaimed by nature, repurposed by the military or redeveloped. Some of those missiles even carried nuclear warheads. Nike missiles, which were supersonic surface-to-air missiles, sat ready to launch at nearly 300 sites across the United States during a period of the Cold War, from 1954 to the 1970s. (Image credit: Google Earth) (opens in new tab) But it offers an important distinction: a better set of Layers.This Google Earth image shows the Oahu Defense Area in Hawaii, which was equipped with missiles in open air with earthen revetments, or embankments, between paired launch sites, shown here in 1968. This is because both have the satellite layer.

Google Earth and its satellite imagery may look the same compared to Google Maps.

It also keeps this information synced across all your devices. Google Maps allows you to find and share directions and explore your locality with a fine-toothed comb.

Google Maps is a more powerful local tool.

Google Earth is a 3D virtual globe, while Google Maps is used more like a 2D map even though it has 3D features.

Related: Unique Ways to Use Google Maps With Other Google Toolsīut there are significant differences between Google Earth and Google Maps too. Few things like searching and directions are also similar in both. Google Earth and Google Maps use the same satellite/aerial and street view imagery to give you some amazing data on our planet.

Google Earth also runs on Firefox, Edge, and Opera. Note: Google Earth Pro is entirely free to download on desktops, and you can even use the web version in Chrome and the mobile apps on Android or iOS.

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