The latest version of the awesome Google Earth, released today, includes a major new view mode: Sky. Using the 'View -> Switch to Sky' menu option, users can now choose to explore the heavens just as they can the blue planet. Built from millions of digital images of galaxies, stars and planets, Sky is apparently something of a pet project among certain Google developers.

While the software will probably not appeal to keen astronomers who already have telescopes, it does open up the experience of stargazing to a large existing user-base. And with Google Earth's community constantly producing interesting mashups and guides for the application, we expect Sky to be even more interesting in a matter of weeks. To try out Google Earth Sky view, download the latest version of the software.