Google satellite maps entertain a transit geek
You are missing out on some serious fun if you don't check out the new satellite maps available on Google Maps. A discreet link in the upper-right corner take any map and convert it to satellite view. It's like flying in an airplane, but better, because you can steer! Though I've seen satellite maps before, the smooth scrolling and zooming of the Google map is unprecedented. Of course, the first thing I did was zoom in to my home--which told me that the maps are at least several months old: my new building is not on the satellite view; instead there is a patch of asphalt.
The maps give a whole new perspective on transit which is fun, even if not immediately useful. For instance, 5917 Cherrywood Lane, Greenbelt, Md. will take you to WMATA's Greenbelt Station, at the end of the Green Line. You get an idea how enormous the parking lot is, as well as the huge size of the train yard that is just past Greenbelt station. You can also follow the tracks as they pass a lake and College Park station before they swoop dramatically westward and dive underground.
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massysett | 7:50 PM |
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I noticed that, on the satellite view, details of the White House and surrounding buildings have been censored, I mean redacted.
Ha--not only that, the U.S. Capitol and many of the surrounding buildings is also redacted. However, the Pentagon looks like it has a normal level of detail. I would check out CIA headquarters, but I don't even know where it is.
1.) Go to Google.
2.) Enter McLean, VA into the search field
3.) Click on Google Maps
4.) Click on Satellite
5.) Zoom in twice (should be on the 5th step from the top)
6.) The large building/campus in the upper right corner is CIA HQ, in all of its unsmudged glory.
Observatory Circle in DC is also smudged. That's Cheney's address.
