Interactive 3D Mars Map

Although you can also view Mars' surface using Google Earth, Microsoft has teamed up with NASA to take it to a whole new level.

Microsoft spent three years crunching high resolution images from a NASA space mission to make an interactive map which gives viewers the ability to swoop in and explore a 3D rendering of the mountains and valleys that cover the surface of Mars--the most complete, highest-resolution coverage of any Mars map available. Viewers can also take exlusive interactive tours and hear directly from NASA scientists.

Dan Fay, director of Microsoft Research’s Earth, Energy and Environment effort said, "We were able to take the imagery from NASA, combine it with their elevation models and lay those onto the surface of the globe of Mars. Now users of the WorldWide Telescope can zoom down and actually experience the surface-level detail of Mars. They can pan back and see the height of the craters or the depth of the canyons. The new Mars experience allows people to feel as though they’re actually there. Viewers can even swoop in and explore Victoria Crater and Olympus Mons--a low valley and the highest peak in our solar system."

"I think that people who look at this will be amazed by these images and the detail of what these cameras can pick up. Seeing the solar system spinning in time, the details of the Martian planet, you could spend hours getting lost in space."

Experience and explore Mars via the WorldWide Telescope at http://www.worldwidetelescope.org.