Google offers panoramic images of Antarctica - video

Google has added panoramic imagery of Antarctica to Street View.

The search engine firm teamed up with the Polar Geospatial Centre at the University of Minnesota and the New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust to bring 360 degree images of historic locations in the region to the service.



Such landmarks include the South Pole Telescope, Shackleton's hut, Scott's hut, Cape Royds Adelie Penguin Rookery and the Ceremonial South Pole.

Google, whose team used a lightweight tripod camera with fisheye lens to capture the photographs, said that it has complied the images to provide scientists and travel enthusiasts with the most accurate pictures of Antarctica on record.

The company initially introduced photos of the region to Street View in 2010, but these images did not boast the same dimensions as the new additions.

Last month, Google announced plans to expand its Google Earth service with the introduction of 3D cityscapes, and map more corners of the planet through its new team of "Street View Trekkers".