Google Maps emerged onto the internet in 2005 offering users an opportunity to digitally map their way across the globe. It was soon followed by Street View in 2007, opening up a whole new way for users to explore locations as though they were there.
Dubbed “the floating man” by Reddit users, many flocked to the comments to share their take on what could have happened.
“I spent a good 2 minutes trying to find his legs,” said one viewer.
Another joked: “Must be wearing camo.” (sic)
While imagining he is a mystical entity is fun, there seems to be a logical explanation.
Google Street View works by taking multiple snapshots of a scene and then stitching them together to create the final result which users can click their way around.
However, this can also create some unexpected results, particularly if an object moves in front of the lens or a part of the image is missing.
This is likely the case for the floating man, who in reality probably isn’t quite as supernatural as the software makes him seem.
Elsewhere in the world, this kind of glitch has caused people to seemingly vanish and streets to warp into new dimensions.
