Google Earth gives curious explorers a low-friction way to preview distant worlds without needing a rocket. You can visit realistic 3D planets and moons directly inside the app and get a sense of scale, terrain, and landmarks before planning any deeper journey.
This guide explains how to go to other planets in Google Earth using the planetary mode, what each setting does, and how to make the most of satellite views, navigation, and discovery.
| Feature | What It Does | Where to Find It | Tips for Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planetary Mode | Switches Earth view to other planets and moons | Menu > Planets | Use search to jump to a specific body |
| Search | Instantly fly to named features | Search bar top left | Type feature names for guided tours |
| 3D View | surfacesShows topography with tilt and orbit | 3D button on right | Tilt to study crater walls or canyon layers |
| Layer Overlays | Adds labels, imagery, and educational content | Layers panel on left | Toggle labels for quick orientation |
Navigate Planetary Mode Interface
When you open Google Earth on a supported device, the navigation panel adapts to planetary views. Icons remain familiar, but they now control pan, tilt, and zoom across extraterrestrial landscapes instead of streets.
Zoom controls behave like altitude adjustments in space, letting you move from orbital heights down to craggy ridges. Flight simulator enthusiasts can also experiment with smooth camera paths around distant horizons.
The compass and horizon ring help maintain orientation so you do not lose track of which direction is up on airless worlds or beneath patterned ice. Spend a few minutes adjusting view angles before diving into surface features.
Access Planets and Moons
From the main menu, select Planets to reveal a scrollable list of destinations. You can travel from Mars and Venus to the moons of Jupiter and Saturn without leaving your screen.
Each selection loads optimized surface imagery and elevation data tailored to the body, so valleys on Phobos or dunes on Titan appear in context rather than as flat textures. This keeps exploration accurate and visually coherent.
Once on a new world, use the same navigation tools you know from Earth, but remember that gravity, atmosphere, and lighting differ, which affects how features reveal their structure.
Use Search for Specific Destinations
Typing a place name such as Olympus Mons or Gale Crater in the search field centers you on that landmark and often drops a descriptive card with key facts.
Search also accepts coordinates, so if you have mission data or science paper references, you can paste numbers and jump straight to the study site for direct comparison with published images.
Combine search with bookmarks to create personal itineraries across multiple bodies, curating a tour that follows scientific campaigns or historic landing sequences.
Customize View with Layers and Visibility Options
Layers panel on the left lets you add boundary labels, constellation overlays, or mission tracks that show where orbiters and rovers have traveled.
Visibility toggles control star backgrounds, atmospheric glow, and lighting time of day, which is especially useful when you want high contrast to read subtle elevation changes.
Experiment with different date simulations to see how lighting angles change shadows on cliffs, helping you recognize topographic form even on featureless plains.
Optimize Your Interplanetary Exploration
- Start with guided searches to learn landmark names before free exploration
- Use 3D tilt to reveal slope angles and terrain texture on crater walls
- Toggle labels to connect surface features with mission names and science results
- Adjust time of day to study shadow patterns that highlight elevation changes
- Save bookmarks to compare landscapes across planets in a single session
FAQ
Reader questions
How do I switch from Earth to another planet in Google Earth?
Open the side menu, tap Planets, and choose a planet or moon from the list to load its surface in planetary mode.
Can I explore Mars surface features in detail?
Yes, search for sites like Jezero Crater and zoom into high-resolution mosaics that align with rover traverse paths and scientific study areas.
Will Google Earth show realistic lighting on other worlds?
Yes, the app uses Sun position and surface properties to render shadows, dawn/dusk effects, and seasonal illumination changes accurately.
Can I bookmark tours across multiple planets?
You can save camera locations and create multi-body routes, then replay them to share exploration sequences with students or fellow enthusiasts.