All the World’s Flights in View
Every day, thousands of flights depart and land all over the globe. Economy, business and luxury travelers alike take to the skies to minimize their travel time and stick to schedule. Yet, have you ever wondered what this might look like from the sky? The Zurich School of Applied Sciences (ZSAS) did and actively sought an answer.
Originally, the idea spawned from a computer science program thesis in 2007. However, the ZSAS took it to the next level to develop AirTraffic Live, a comprehensive real-time, 3D visualization of air traffic. Even if you’re not a tech wizard or an engineer, the outcome is rather interesting. Click here and follow the steps (which include downloading Google Earth) to see the program in action.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1L4GUA8arY
However, the ZSAS also developed a 24-hour time lapse (complete with night-time shading) of average air traffic, available above, in 2D. The result proved both artistic and informative. By clicking here you can watch the YouTube video, which runs just over a minute long. You’ll notice three particularly bright areas – the US, Western Europe and Eastern Asia. Also of interest, for those of you with impressive eyesight, are the yellow dots that seem to fly with considerable speed. Although occasionally referred to as “UFO’s” by commenters, can reliably be considered jets and military aircraft.