What a view: Our top 10 favorite Google Photo Spheres [Photos]

By Salvador Rodriguez

Sept. 4, 2013 4:41 PM PT

Since Google launched Photo Sphere late last year, numerous users have contributed panoramic photos to Google Maps.

Photo Sphere is a special camera mode available on some Android smartphones that allows users to quickly and easily take 360-degree Street View-style images.

The mode can be used in any part of the world, and if users choose to share their photo with Google Maps, the panorama will show up when others search Google Maps for that location -- even if it’s one where Street View has not yet launched.

READ: With Google’s Photo Sphere, users contribute photos of remote spots

Google is hoping users with Photo Sphere will help it gather images from around the globe more quickly than the company can on its own.

To see Photo Spheres, you can head to Google’s “Views” website. You can also find 10 of our favorite Photo Sphere images below. Click on the image and keep the left mouse button pressed to change the view. You can also use the navigation button on the top left of each Photo Sphere.

10. San Juan, Utah

Views: San Juan, UT by Jeremy Davies
By Jeremy Davies

9. Rio de Janeiro

Views: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil by Adam Cochran
By Adam Cochran

8. Ross, Antarctica

Views: Ross, Antarctica by bryan kiechle
By Bryan Kiechle

7. El Castell de Guadalest, Alacant, Spain

Views: El Castell de Guadalest, Alacant, Spain by Silvia Martinez Micol
By Silvia Martinez Micol

6. Isfahan, Iran

Views: Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque Esfahan by Omid Jafarnezhad
By Omid Jafarnezhad

5. Madaveli, Maldives

Views: Madaveli, Maldives by Munah Ahmed
By Munah Ahmed