GOOGLE MARS

After Google Earth, it’s now Google Mars!

Mars-mapping software from Google will allows users to zoom in and view images captured by NASA expeditions.

BY A CORRESPONDENT

Google is going the interplanetary way with its new Google Mars. Google's attempt at geography mapping follows the huge success of its earth mapping software, Google Earth. Using Google Earth, users could spot and view a specific location of their choice.

This time, Google is going to the alien world in an attempt to make it familiar. The unknown planet Mars, falls victim to the latest mapping software from Google. 

With Google Mars, users can view the Red Planet by a color-coded altitude map, black and white photographs, or an infra-red map. The images on Google Mars were caught by the NASA expeditions Mars Odyssey and Mars Global Surveyor. Both these space vehicles are orbiting the planet now.

Google launched the Mars-mapping Google Mars to mark Percival Lowell's 151st birthday anniversary. Lowell was an astronomer who studied Mars in detail in the 19th century. 

Google worked in association with experts from the Arizona State University to map the Martian surface images to the software. Though several pictures of Mars can be downloaded from the Internet, Google says it’s the first time that users can get all the viewing information under one roof. Says Chikai Ohazama, product manager for Google Earth, “It was a very interesting and creative and cool way to apply technology we already had to another planet."

Users can view, zoom, and locate important landmarks just like in Google Earth. An astounding view of mountains, craters, and canyons await you in Google Mars. 

The main difference from Google Earth is that users need not download special software like the Google Earth to view the Mars. It can be viewed right inside your browser window itself. The surface also shows the locations of the previous Mars landings.