I am looking for a website that can display a continuous image of the
Earth rotating in real time in space. I am not interested in static
images that are periodically updated.

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Request for Question Clarification by seizer-ga on 11 May 2003 06:27 PDT

Does it have to be a website? Or would stand-alone software be suitable as well?

Thanks,

--seizer

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Clarification of Question by wadadah-ga on 11 May 2003 07:54 PDT

I want to use the images as a screen saver on a machine running
WINDOWS XP.

I ideally want it to be in real, real time which suggests a web-based
link to a satelite, Martians or whatever. It is the idea of observing
my home while being in it, in the moment that is attractive.Would
software give me that capability or would it be a prercording of the
Earth rotating? Will settle for that if I have to.
Thanks

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Request for Question Clarification by snapanswer-ga on 11 May 2003 11:30 PDT

There is an excellent software package that I think may meet your
goals, including its "screen saver mode" which quickly allows it to
serve as your screen saver.  It can be updated by satellite data every
three hours, including mapping cloud data to the globe.  It also has
options to include weather forecast data and instant links to web cams
at locations around the world for a close-up view.

So, the question I have is, if the satellite data updates every three
hours, do you consider that "real-time" for your purposes?  I think
you will be impressed with the software, but, this is updated
satellite imagery, no a live video camera feed from space.  I just
want to be certain I understand your expectations.

If this sounds promising to you, simply indicate that you would like
to have it posted as an answer by me.

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Request for Question Clarification by snapanswer-ga on 11 May 2003 11:41 PDT

I do want to point out that while the weather and cloud satellite data
is "dynamic", the three-dimensional map of the landforms appear to be
a static model.  So this may not be what you want.

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Clarification of Question by wadadah-ga on 11 May 2003 13:45 PDT

I am not clear if the image I would be observing would be a
continuously rotating image of the Earth or a static image that is
periodically updated. I can get static Earth shots that are
periodically updated, at no cost. I value continuity of motion above
timeliness, if that's the choice I have to make.

I also assume that the package does not cost alot of money- under
$100.

So in conclusion consider my answer to be yes if the motion is
continuous and naturalistic looking.

Thanks for your patience

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Clarification of Question by wadadah-ga on 11 May 2003 16:22 PDT

Are there any simulations given that the 'real' is not available?

I recommend a piece of software called EarthBrowser.  It is a rotating
globe, though you can adjust it manually if you wish.  It can be
downloaded for free, though, paying the $20 registration fee gives you
access to enhanced features and removes the occasional "Register Me"
advertising message.  In "free" mode, the satellite data updates twice
per day.  The registered version offers satellite data updates every
three hours, higher resolutions, and hourly weather updates.

EarthBrowser
http://www.earthbrowser.com/

I suggest setting the Cloud Animation setting to Current for the most
realistic image, though, you may want to experiment with the time
lapse settings.

I hope you find the software useful and easy to use.  If you have
additional questions, please do not hesitate to post a clarification
requestion prior to rating the answer.

Search Strategy and Search Terms:  None.  This is a software package I
use personally.

I know little about satellites, but it sounds like, to see the earth
rotating in realtime you would need a stationary satellite. Not
geo-stationary (above the same spot of Earth all the time), but still.
Not moving. Not orbiting. Not possible.

You can experiment with the settings on EarthBrowser.  I like to turn
on Night Shadows and Latest Cloud Data, while leaving everything else
turned off.  I'm sure you can find a combination of settings that
appeals to you.

Try this website:

http://xplanet.sourceforge.net/

It's for quite a nice program called xplanet, and there is a windows
version available (http://xplanet.sourceforge.net/windows/) which will
work on XP.
It has  a wide range of settings, and can be set to update as
(un)frequently as you want, depending on what your CPU is usually
doing.

It doesn't have real time pictures of the earth, but computes the
night/day interface and can have different images for each (eg a
composite satellite image of city lights for the nightside). You can
then download near real-time images of global cloud cover
automatically every 3 hours or so, which is probably about as close as
you'll get to real-time images.

It's pretty much fully adjustable, and is worth checking out.