After introducing two online mapping services, Google Earth and Google Moon, on March 14, Google launched a new mapping tool, Google Mars. This tool allows users to interact with and observe the surface of Mars with just a click of the mouse.
The Mars maps have been created by Google from photographs taken by NASA’s Mars exploration spacecraft, Odyssey and Global Surveyor.
Google Mars does not provide navigation instructions, but users can explore the planet in three different ways: a color-coded elevation map of Mars, a tangible imaging map showcasing the planet’s surface with black and white photographs, and an infrared map displaying temperature schematics with colder areas shown in darker colors and hotter areas in brighter hues.
Users can also zoom in on any part of these three maps to view geographical features such as mountains, canyons, sand dunes, and craters. The maps also mark locations where unmanned probes have landed on Mars.
Phil Christensen, a planetary geologist from Arizona State University and operator of the infrared camera on the Mars Odyssey spacecraft, noted that the maps in Google Mars even include locations where NASA’s rovers Spirit and Opportunity explored on opposite sides of the Red Planet since 2004. Arizona State University collaborated with Google to create these maps.
Despite the numerous images of Mars available online, primarily through NASA’s Mars website, the developers of Google Mars claim this is the first time the public can independently explore Mars.
Christensen stated, “Our intention is to have people look at Mars and not think of it as an alien mystery.” He mentioned that the Mars maps could be updated in the coming weeks.
Last week, the Reconnaissance Orbiter successfully entered orbit around Mars, following the Mars Odyssey and Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft. Christensen believes that since the Reconnaissance Orbiter is the most powerful Mars probe to date, scientists may even be able to integrate the data it collects into Google Mars.
Last year, Google launched Google Earth, a three-dimensional satellite mapping service that allows web users to explore any location on Earth. Following that, they introduced Google Moon, highlighting the landing sites of all six Apollo missions.
The Mars mapping service was announced by Google on the 151st anniversary of the birth of astronomer Percival Lowell, who dedicated over twenty years to studying the Red Planet. Chikai Ohazama, a member of the Google Earth development team, wrote on Google’s website: “We hope you enjoy your journey to Mars.“
