http://www.theage.com.au/technology/tec ... ptnuh.htmlGoogle Maps has had a colossal, 700 trillion-pixel makeover, introducing cloud-less maps and high-resolution imagery for more than 1 billion monthly users.
The new maps make use of NASA's Landsat 8 satellite launched in 2013, which captures twice as many images every day than the previous satellite used.
The cloud-less imagery allows users to see a lot more areas and islands around the world without weather formations obscuring the view.
Google uses a relatively new cartography technique called mosaicking, which uses all available images, historic and current, to create a median image of the area, while also making sure the image looks as the area does at present.
Google then used the technique to stitch together 700 trillion pixels' worth of photos and make the highest-quality map uninhibited by weather patterns.
To put that in perspective, 700 trillion pixels is 70 times more than there are estimated galaxies in the universe according to Google, or just seven Zimbabwean 100 trillion dollar notes.
The resolution upgrade was much needed after NASA's Landsat 7 satellite malfunctioned and created diagonal gaps in images as a result of loss of data.
The 13-year difference in images from the previous and present versions of Google Maps shows a large reduction in glaciers in Alaska and Antarctica.
The Earth Engine APIs used by scientists to map deforestation, water levels and malaria outbreak predictions was used to form the most up-to-date depiction of Earth.
I thought I'd noticed an area I was scouting looking a lot sharper a few days ago than it had in the past, I guess this is why.