Using data collected by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, a team at the USGS Astrogeology Science Centre has created a map of Mars. This new map will make it easier to observe and navigate the Martian environment, even on mobile devices.

The map, generated with the help of supercomputers and cloud computing, offers a high-resolution, three-dimensional view of Mars’ unique landscape.

The USGS Astrogeology Science Centre team utilized over 155,000 pictures of the red Martian landscape and more than 4,800 digital terrain models (DTMs) to create the map.

Jay Laura, the team leader from the Astrogeology Science Centre (ASC), stated, “Now anyone on the planet with a smartphone can search, use, and marvel at these data.” Laura emphasized the importance of democratizing access to high-quality Mars topographic data, enabling anyone to contribute to scientific discovery when the data is easily accessible.

The team utilized data on Martian topography obtained by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter’s (MRO) Context Camera. The camera has the capability to capture images with a resolution of approximately 6 meters per pixel, covering an area of about 18.5 miles (30 kilometers) in width and 100 miles (160 kilometers) in length.

Using a supercomputer, the scientists analyzed two photos of a similar area to construct detailed 3D perspectives and create the digital terrain models (DTMs). They compared the process to how our brain processes visual data from our eyes to generate depth perception and a 3D representation of our surroundings.

Laura highlighted the potential of the data for both machines and humans, stating, “These data are ripe for discovery and use by machines and humans. This data release means that the HiRISE dataset can now be seamlessly leveraged by machine-learning scientists.”

The data is hosted on Amazon’s Open Data Registry and is accessible to anyone. The USGS has implemented user-friendly search options to ensure that the data is easily located and downloaded by the general public.

Laura further emphasized the role of the USGS in developing and releasing analysis-ready planetary science data, stating, “With data releases like this, USGS is taking the lead to develop and release analysis-ready planetary science data.”

Categorized in: