NASA and Microsoft provide Mars 3-D close encounter

The WorldWide Telescope (WWT) is a computer program to allow people to view outer space. Written by Microsoft, the program turns your computer into a virtual telescope. It does this by using the best imagery available from both ground-based and space-based telescopes.

Recently the program has been updated with over 13,000 detailed images from various NASA spacecraft. This enables users to view Mars using a high-resolution 3-D map of the terrain.

“By providing the Mars dataset to the public on the WorldWide Telescope platform, we are enabling a whole new audience to experience the thrill of space,” said Chris C. Kemp, chief technology officer for information technology at NASA Headquarters in Washington.

via NASA and Microsoft provide Mars 3-D close encounter.

This story written by Paul Adams

Paul Adams leads an award-winning, diverse contractor team that runs a federal high performance computing facility where he has worked for 17 years. He loves getting his hands on the latest visualization and computer hardware, astronomy, aerospace engineering, working with the poor, and ringing cowbells.