How to View the Past on Google Earth
Open the Google Earth program installed on your computer., Search the location you want to view., Locate the navigation bar., Zoom in., Enable Historical Imagery., View historical images of the location.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Open the Google Earth program installed on your computer.
You will see a beautiful 3-D rendition of our world. -
Step 2: Search the location you want to view.
Use the search box on the upper left corner and enter the location you want to view.
Click the “Search” button beside the search field, and just like in Google Maps, Google Earth will bring you to the location you’ve entered.
At first, the area view may be too far up to be able to focus on the location. , At first glance, you may not see the navigation area on the right of the map.
Hover your mouse over it and it will appear clearly.
You will see some navigation buttons (left, right, up, and down arrows) to help you move around the map.
Use it to find the exact location or view you want. , Once you’ve reached the view you want, you can now use the vertical navigation bar to zoom in for a closer look.
Click the plus button at the top of the bar to zoom in.
The map will immediately adjust as you zoom in.
Continue to zoom in until you’re at the level of detail you want to see.
Wait a few moments for the rendering to be completed for the location.
Once it’s done, you will be able to see the location very clearly and vividly, as if you’re right in front of it.
You can again use the navigation buttons to move around the view of the location. , Click on “View” from the header menu bar, then select “Historical Imagery.” A time lapse bar will appear on the upper left corner.
The bar has a horizontal scroll bar that you can adjust from 2001 to the present. , Drag the scroll bar to the left and see how the view of your location changes.
Each time you adjust the scroll bar, the imagery for the location you’re viewing changes to show you how the location looked like on the time you’re setting.
A building you’re seeing now may not exist five or ten years ago.
You will be amazed at what you can see by looking at the different images from the past. -
Step 3: Locate the navigation bar.
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Step 4: Zoom in.
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Step 5: Enable Historical Imagery.
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Step 6: View historical images of the location.
Detailed Guide
You will see a beautiful 3-D rendition of our world.
Use the search box on the upper left corner and enter the location you want to view.
Click the “Search” button beside the search field, and just like in Google Maps, Google Earth will bring you to the location you’ve entered.
At first, the area view may be too far up to be able to focus on the location. , At first glance, you may not see the navigation area on the right of the map.
Hover your mouse over it and it will appear clearly.
You will see some navigation buttons (left, right, up, and down arrows) to help you move around the map.
Use it to find the exact location or view you want. , Once you’ve reached the view you want, you can now use the vertical navigation bar to zoom in for a closer look.
Click the plus button at the top of the bar to zoom in.
The map will immediately adjust as you zoom in.
Continue to zoom in until you’re at the level of detail you want to see.
Wait a few moments for the rendering to be completed for the location.
Once it’s done, you will be able to see the location very clearly and vividly, as if you’re right in front of it.
You can again use the navigation buttons to move around the view of the location. , Click on “View” from the header menu bar, then select “Historical Imagery.” A time lapse bar will appear on the upper left corner.
The bar has a horizontal scroll bar that you can adjust from 2001 to the present. , Drag the scroll bar to the left and see how the view of your location changes.
Each time you adjust the scroll bar, the imagery for the location you’re viewing changes to show you how the location looked like on the time you’re setting.
A building you’re seeing now may not exist five or ten years ago.
You will be amazed at what you can see by looking at the different images from the past.
About the Author
Brittany Kennedy
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow creative arts tutorials.
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