NASA World Wind is a freeware earth exploring application that's comprehensive, efficient and fun.
Here are some screenshots to illustrate the features and user interface of this application:
Lets you zoom from satellite altitude into any place on Earth, find locations, work with a compass. Screenshot of NASA World Wind - 1024px · 768pxRich set of features to play with. Screenshot of NASA World Wind - 1024px · 768pxFinding locations and working with a compass and distance calculator. Screenshot of NASA World Wind - 1024px · 768px3D view mode and information about different planets. Screenshot of NASA World Wind - 1024px · 768px