A close control that stays available
The top map now includes Close globe beside its map controls. Compact layouts show an accessible × button. The control is also available in the map's fullscreen view.
Stop the map, then reopen on demand
Closing cancels the globe's in-flight feed work, clears its update timers and destroys the active renderer. Its WebGL context is explicitly released where the browser supports that operation. Late responses cannot recreate a closed globe.
Open globe / map creates the viewer again when you choose to use it. Your 2D/3D mode and layer selections are retained, and a closed map stays closed across a page refresh.
Try it
Refresh Watchtower to load the updated controls, open the top globe or 2D map, and use Close globe when finished. The shutdown control applies to this top map; the other workspaces have their own update lifecycles.