random factoid:
(though i only have it on hearsay)
i believe that at one point in time
either melbourne actually was called
or at least it was suggested that it should be called
batmania

internerds have been gawking for some months now
at the newish google maps

there are some highlights and curiosities
that are worth checking out

if you click the “satellite” button
in the top right corner of the map
there are satellite and aerial photos
of a lot of the world

latest news is
two of the areas covered by these photos
are melbourne and the moon.

you’ll be greatly relieved to discover
my house in included in the former category

someone at google has a sense of humour

in the terrestrial photos
if you zoom too close
for photographic coverage
you see a plain grey tile which says
‘we’re sorry but we don’t have imagery at this zoom level for this region
try zooming out for a broader look’

if you commit the same infraction
in the ‘moon’ section
you’re faced with a mysteriously cheese-like graphic

others have found these mysterious anomalies
arranged in grid like patterns

there’s been plenty of discussion
but as far as i know
no explanation has yet emerged

others have found interesting curiosities
around the mythical area 51 in nevada

but i think the most impressive pictures are produced by mother nature
these pics are what the eastern end of the himalayas look like from the sky

zooming around the planet like that
the most pressing realisation
is the artificiality of national borders
and how really we’re all just sharing
this beautiful lumpy surface..

Related posts:

1. Satellite Map pictures from Australia Day
2. Google Maps Driving Directions & Business search is Live!
3. It’s a full moon tonight
4. Batmania
5. Australian Real Estate Search Engine for Google Earth and Google Maps