ALL AROUND THE world, in public spaces – or even in space – kind people have set up webcams so that the average Joe Soap can have a glimpse at things we might otherwise never see.
These publicly accessible webcams, as Aladdin so memorably sang, can show you the world.
1. Play with needy animals
This site, iPet Companion, enables you to play with pets that need love over the internet. Animals that need homes on a live feed right to your monitor – pick your shelter, control the action, fall in love with the adorable animals.
2. Trot the globe with Earthcam
Earthcam is really the grandaddy of the publicly accessible webcam game. If you ever wake up in the morning and wish you could transport yourself somewhere else, if only for a few minutes, then Earthcam is for you. View Times Square, Paris, Istanbul – even Temple Bar, if the mood strikes…
3. Gawk at the Abbey Road crossing
On a rainy day like the one captured below, the Abbey Road crossing cam might only show you busy Londoners toing and froing, but most often it reveals the constant march of tourists eager to get their iconic Beatles shot.
4. Control Sid the robot in real time
You can play games and try to beat the high scores of other Sid-cam users - so not only are you remotely controlling an actual robot, but you’re actually interacting with people all over the world while doing it. The future, that is.
5. Be soothed by sea otters in Vancouver’s aquarium
Vancouver’s aquarium also has cams set up for their penguins, jellyfish and belugas. While the sea otters are out of the frame, there can be something deeply soothing about the lapping waters of the tank.
6. Spot a shy Giant Panda
Look at him there, hiding behind the rock like some sort of fugitive. The Giant Panda Cam brings you right to Bao Bao’s enclosure. Mate, Bao Bao! MATE!
7. Take part in the world’s longest running lab experiment
Guinness World Record holder for longest running lab experiment, the Tenth Drop cam enables you to watch the pitch drop viscosity test in real time. The pitch dropped for the ninth time only last week – so you’ll have to wait another 14 years to see the tenth one fall.
8. Watch bald eagles hatch
These eagles were just eggs at the start of April, with three of them hatching only a few short weeks ago. Watch their progress on the Decorah Eagle cam to see a bit of endangered history literally come to life.
9. Go up to the International Space Station
We’ve saved the best for last. This one is quite simply amazing. You can hear astronauts speak from time to time, and watch the ISS drift along, circling the globe. When you think about how we can watch this in real time – a proper connection to the cosmos – the mind just boggles.
