Satellite Imagery and the Global Positioning System

Mapping IconGPS has a variety of uses and is a very helpful tool. Today, most cellular phones are now able to become a GPS receiver. In this activity, you will use web-based software or a mobile device application (Google Earth™) to design a route using a checklist of locations. Many of the locations will require you to complete some internet research to locate them. Several of the locations offer a loose description, which allows you to choose from a variety of locales.

Mobile or Web-Based Application iconVisit the Google Earth™ website and install the plug-in, if prompted. See the Developmental Module for help if it is not installed. Before you begin, check out these Video Tutorials on Google Earth™ if you are not sure how to use this application.

After you have viewed the videos, complete these tasks to practice with Google Earth™ before you begin the assignment:

Task 1: Find a Region

  1. Click on the Google Earth™ icon to start Google Earth™.
  2. Center your map so that you can see your local city or town. You can also use the Search function in the upper left corner of the application window.

Task 2: Experiment with the Controls

  1. Move your mouse to the right side of the screen. Click on the plus (+) and minus (-) buttons to zoom in and out.
  2. Move and rotate the globe by clicking on it and dragging with the mouse.

Task 3: Use Layers

Google Earth™ shows information in layers, or groups of related elements. You can use layers to add additional data to the map such as borders, geographic features, traffic, weather, population density, and landmarks. In this activity you will use the layers provided by Google Earth™.

Now that you are all set-up in Google Earth™ you are ready to complete the assignment. Download and use the Travel with Satellite Imagery Checkpoint Table to help guide your work.

  1. In the first row of the Travel with Satellite Imagery Checkpoint Table, list your current location and the location's latitude and longitude.
  2. Review the destination descriptions listed in each of the table rows. Research and find a location that seems like a good match for each item listed and then complete the second column of the table.
  3. Use Google Earth™ to access each of destinations that you list. Pin point each destination in Google Earth™ and include the information required in the table, including each location's latitude and longitude.
  4. After you have placed all of your destination markers, utilize the ruler tool in Google Earth™ to measure a line from your starting location to the first checkpoint listed in your table. If done correctly, the ruler tool will automatically record the distance between the two points for you. Record this information in the "Distance from the Previous Checkpoint" column of your table. Continue to measure the distances from one point to the next until you have recorded the distances between all points. Then, calculate the total distance that someone traveling this route would travel if they chose to make the trip.

Assignment IconOnce you have completed your Travel With Satellite Imagery Checkpoint Table, please submit your work to the dropbox.