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IPFS News Link • Science, Medicine and Technology

After 3 Years of Data Crunching, NASA and Microsoft Release Stunning New Interactive Mars Tour

• Rebecca Boyle via PopSci
 

Using Microsoft's WorldWide Telescope program, you can now take an interactive tour of Mars with the highest-resolution images available of the Red Planet -- something even scientists have never been able to see before.

NASA scientists have been crunching data for three years on more than 100 computers to come up with the brand-new Mars map. Its image collection spans the Viking orbiters nearly 40 years ago to the HiRISE camera on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which is still snapping pictures.

NASA says it was looking for a way to share its wealth of Mars images, and WorldWide Telescope was a good fit. To use it, you have to download the PC-only free program, or use a Web client.

NASA says the map may lead to new scientific discoveries.


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