Microsoft and NASA have teamed up to bring you and your humble desktop PC some of the
highest-resolution images of Mars currently available. Using a combination of satellite imagery and elevation models, Microsoft's
WorldWide Telescope project has created an impressively detailed 3-D map of the surface of the Red Planet. The interactive tour, which simulates flying through Martian canyons and provides extreme surface detail (provided by the Mars rovers), took three years and over 100 computers to process and assemble. Its information has been stitched together from several different sources, including Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA), the 40-year-old Viking probes and the still-flying Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.
Those who wish to explore the Martian surface can download the free desktop client (Windows only, of course) or use the Silverlight-powered Web-based version. We had some issues with the Web client on our Linux and Mac machines, so you non-Microsoft fans might be a little disappointed. Still, it's worth checking out if you have even a passing curiosity about our sister planet. [From:
NASA, via:
Popular Sciencei]
Tags: 3-d, 3d, exploration, mars, MarsRover, microsoft, mola, nasa, space, top, viking, WorldwideTelescope
Comments
38
Subscribe to commentsAngelaJul 18th 2010 8:54AM
And we're digging for signs of life forms on THAT? I want a tax refund.
mrweaJul 18th 2010 10:55PM
You need a refund from all of our teachers.
SkyboiJul 18th 2010 8:38AM
What are your from Mars? So this is how you convicted pedophiles make your money by posting lame websites?
Harry HurtJul 18th 2010 9:38AM
The Bible says God created the heavens(that includes Mars) and the Earth, then it goes on to talk about how He furnished the earth with plants and animals. Except for the sun, the moon, and stars, He doesn't say anthing more about the heavens. He talks about the creation of man, and his duties. Nothing is said of life on other planets. All this life on Mars is baloney, and even if it were true, it doesn't matter. We can't (and shouldn't) get to it, and it can't get to us. This country may be considered rich by some, but just think how well off we would be if we confined our space projects to satellite comunications and medical reseach. We could afford even more tax relief. We should be spending our tax money on shoring up our economy, creating jobs, finding more energy resources, etc., not looking for life on Mars, which isn't there, anyway.
tracerJul 18th 2010 10:09AM
Why do you think God gave mankind a brain? Are you one of those that think sick children should be denied medical attention or should we just set under a tree picking nits out of our hair feeding them to our young and eating our own nasal debris?
ScottJul 18th 2010 12:15PM
Sad to hear you are not open minded to the fact that life exist everywhere out their! We are not alone in the universe and never have been. The bible was written by man whose true agenda is to control in any way that they can so you shouldn't not put your faith into all the bible says. I was most religously raised and am very spritual but without religion. I believe in a prime creator but not the jesus story that man has written to intimidate, manipulate to control the masses and it has worked very well up until most recently . People now days are searching for answers but their not asking a god for them. I have seen minimum of two ufo's with the possibility of more, just not verified in my own mind. Ask yourself this, would your god waste all that vastness of outer space and just have made us here on Earth, I think that would be a terrible waste of space. Peace to all my brothers and sisters. The day is coming when the truth will be revealed.
Linda SinclairJul 18th 2010 5:27PM
Harry....I totally agree with you! You are right on.....
darrellJul 22nd 2010 7:46PM
i agree with mr.hurt
LouisJul 18th 2010 10:54AM
Yes, God is all powerful, all knowing, etc etc., so who aming us is to say that he didn't create other forms of life on other planets? The Bible is His word for our planet, maybe He has other words for lifeforms on other planets. something to think about maybe.
Yes, God did give us brains and the ability to think and choose but he also warns us to "lean not toward our own understanding." I believe that there is possible life on other planets and in other galaxies. I believe that we would have to be total fools to believe that we are the only planet, galaxy, solar system or whatever that has life on it.
vmapdaa3Jul 18th 2010 12:13PM
I believe there is life on other planets as alluded to in the book of Job. The Sons of God came to report (to GOD Himself) on the activities of "their" worlds. Satan came with them. When God asked him what he was doing he replied, "I was going back & forth throughout the Earth." God asked him if he took any particular notice to a man called Job.
The point being...TWICE in the book of Job...Satan came to Heaven to report on the activities of Earth. Whilst, at the same time, "Other Sons of God" where coming to report on the acctivities of their worlds. So their definately could be life on other planets as referenced in Job chapters 1 & 2.
mat krugerJul 18th 2010 1:01PM
How can you people be so Naive? You think we'd spend that much money on Mars Missions if they "found possible evidence of water?"
They found dwellings and structures similiar to ancient buildings found on Earth.
The forbidden Texts and Scriptures written over 3,000 years ago explains this...Why did the Kings and rulers outlaw these reading after the crusades?
Do some research....
al schraderJul 18th 2010 1:30PM
I invented a vehicle that fits in the shuttle cargo bay that can take people to Mars right now. They could see it for real, not a mock-up. Would that be ok ?
Alfred-
HankJul 18th 2010 1:30PM
There is no longer life on Mars because the Republicans have already been there.
micky eggsJul 18th 2010 6:48PM
if nasa is spending all this money to see if there is life, send some my way because i have COPD and my teeth are faling out of my mouth because of the severe dry mouth my meds give. in other spend it so i and many others may have life
hero_thebanditJul 18th 2010 2:50PM
Well, this goes to show what our money can do for us... Nothing really... Cool 3-D Map Layout... But our tax money should still be used for a greater cause.
armyman812Jul 18th 2010 3:52PM
But people are forgetting how much good has come from the mercury project and the apollo program. Dialysis machines, water purification, MRI machines and dozens of other inventions and practices that people consider to be normal today have all come from space programs by NASA. The ability of some people to be so short sighted in this country both amazes and scares me. Greater cause? What greater cause could there be for creating a world for our children with better technology that could cure diseases now considered deadly and generally improve the standard of living for everyone.
rufhaus2Jul 18th 2010 4:13PM
When God made the Earth and Adam, He didn't say He only made one Adam and He only made one Earth
spgJul 18th 2010 5:39PM
Harry,
With your mindset Columbus would have stayed home, the world would still be flat, and backyard herbs would be used to cure everything. How any of you can tie the Bible to 3-D images of Mars is astounding. God help us in this country if this type of ignorance reigns. Without science our lifespan would be about 30 years, we would live in small thatched hut villages, and we would think eclipses were a sign the gods were angry.
The Bible was loosely assembled from local stories repeated and exaggerated over hundreds if not thousands of years. The first story of a flood came from the Sumerians, not the Christians. Was there a flood, yes in a very small part of the world, which science has proven. The Black sea flooded rapidly when a natural dam burst.
You don't have to pit science against religion if your mind is open and you are not afraid of the sun. 3D images are great.
tommy hallJul 18th 2010 6:48PM
you ARE the one that has hit the nail on the head spg...I'm a former/recovering Christian who was exposed to that 'Old Time Southern Religion' back in the 50's and 60's in small town southern Oklahoma...a.k.a. 'a brain washing'..one that instills fear,makes females secondary to males,and would profess to have the only path to God and heaven.It doesn't matter if one is a serial murderer/rapist,just as long as they are 'blood bought born again Christians' before they draw their last earthly breath.All members of any other faiths,belief systems,no faith,or agnostics WILL go to an eternal place of damnation and torture.That would include such great humanitarians such as Ghandi and countless others...simply for being born and raised in a different culture,and 'exposed' to religious beliefs other than what Christian's narrow little minds were laundered with.What a crock!!!!...and they are worried about whether there is life on Mars,or any other celestial body???...Religious bigotry and intolerance,mixed with a "My God is better than your God is,always has been,and will continue to be the major factor in the demise of our species and Mother Earth...unless our sun burns out first..then ALL other opnions/biases,need to control others,etc. are inconsequential.
DJJul 18th 2010 5:45PM
I think it's cool . . .
DJ