Planet Earth

Marble – virtual globe and world atlas

Marble is a small interactive virtual globe and world atlas that you can use to learn more about Earth: Just like a real atlas or a conventional globe Marble allows you to freely move across its map and lookup places.

Furthermore Marble allows you to zoom in and have many different views on the surface of the Earth A mouse click on a place label will provide the respective Wikipedia article.

Marble is intended to be very flexible; beyond its cross-platform design, the core components can easily be integrated into other programs.

Features include:

  • 11 different views:
    • Atlas.
    • OpenStreetMap.
    • Satellite View.
    • Earth at Night.
    • Historical Map 1689.
    • Moon.
    • Plain Map.
    • Precipitation (July).
    • Precipitation (December).
    • Temperature (July).
    • Temperature (December).
  • Uses a minimal free dataset that can be used offline.
  • Uses Arthur as a 2D painting backend. Depending on hardware and the maps being displayed framerate is approximately 5-20 fps.
  • Uses vector as well as bitmap data: Currently it uses the MWDB II data combined with SRTM.
  • Different Projections: Globe, Flat Map, Mercator.
  • Uses KML-Import to display places (Google Earths open format to store placemarks), Basic GPX support.
  • More than 12,000 locations (cities, mountains, volcanoes) which can be searched for. Highest Mountains of each continent. Automatic Placemark label placement.
  • Renders popular star constellations.
  • Draggable panels.
  • Sun Shading, Real-Time Clouds.
  • Dynamic Coordinate Grid.
  • Measure Tool.
  • Route planning capabilities.
  • Navigation mode called MarbleToGo.
  • Basic Wikipedia integration.
  • Starry Sky Plugins.

Website: marble.kde.org
Support: Handbook
Developer: The Marble Project
License: GNU LGPL v2.1

Marble
Click for full size image

Marble is written in C++. Learn C++ with our recommended free books and free tutorials.

Return to Virtual Globe


Popular series
Free and Open Source SoftwareThe largest compilation of the best free and open source software in the universe. Each article is supplied with a legendary ratings chart helping you to make informed decisions.
ReviewsHundreds of in-depth reviews offering our unbiased and expert opinion on software. We offer helpful and impartial information.
The Big List of Active Linux Distros is a large compilation of actively developed Linux distributions.
Alternatives to Proprietary SoftwareReplace proprietary software with open source alternatives: Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Autodesk, Oracle, Atlassian, Corel, Cisco, Intuit, and SAS.
GamesAwesome Free Linux Games Tools showcases a series of tools that making gaming on Linux a more pleasurable experience. This is a new series.
Artificial intelligence iconMachine Learning explores practical applications of machine learning and deep learning from a Linux perspective. We've written reviews of more than 40 self-hosted apps. All are free and open source.
Guide to LinuxNew to Linux? Read our Linux for Starters series. We start right at the basics and teach you everything you need to know to get started with Linux.
Alternatives to popular CLI tools showcases essential tools that are modern replacements for core Linux utilities.
System ToolsEssential Linux system tools focuses on small, indispensable utilities, useful for system administrators as well as regular users.
ProductivityLinux utilities to maximise your productivity. Small, indispensable tools, useful for anyone running a Linux machine.
AudioSurveys popular streaming services from a Linux perspective: Amazon Music Unlimited, Myuzi, Spotify, Deezer, Tidal.
Saving Money with LinuxSaving Money with Linux looks at how you can reduce your energy bills running Linux.
Home ComputersHome computers became commonplace in the 1980s. Emulate home computers including the Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST, ZX81, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum.
Now and ThenNow and Then examines how promising open source software fared over the years. It can be a bumpy ride.
Linux at HomeLinux at Home looks at a range of home activities where Linux can play its part, making the most of our time at home, keeping active and engaged.
Linux CandyLinux Candy reveals the lighter side of Linux. Have some fun and escape from the daily drudgery.
DockerGetting Started with Docker helps you master Docker, a set of platform as a service products that delivers software in packages called containers.
Android AppsBest Free Android Apps. We showcase free Android apps that are definitely worth downloading. There's a strict eligibility criteria for inclusion in this series.
Programming BooksThese best free books accelerate your learning of every programming language. Learn a new language today!
Programming TutorialsThese free tutorials offer the perfect tonic to our free programming books series.
Linux Around The WorldLinux Around The World showcases usergroups that are relevant to Linux enthusiasts. Great ways to meet up with fellow enthusiasts.
Stars and StripesStars and Stripes is an occasional series looking at the impact of Linux in the USA.
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments