Though quite hidden, it is actually possible to add WMS services through the interface of the latest version of Google Earth. I have previously been hacking WMS requests into kml files but didn’t realize there is an easier way. For those not familiar with WMS, it stands for Web Map Service and is a standard setup by the Open Geospatial Consortium. Effectively it is an open standard through which web mapping applications such as MapServer generate snapshots of GIS data. Google Earth has supported for some time now overlaying these images based on the WGS84 map datum but now also through the interface.

In order to add a WMS service:

1. Click on the menu item Add and choose Image Overlay
2. Click on the tab Refresh and choose WMS Parameters
3. Pick your favorite WMS server in the combo box at the top or add your own using Add

In the example here I have added Maplecroft’s Tuberculosis risk index, part of the WMS services I am setting up at Maplecroft.