San Francisco — If you believe that the recent Google Earth update that displays more information about Mars’ surface is cool, Microsoft thinks what it is about to offer is even cooler. The software maker on Tuesday announced an alliance with NASA that will put the space agency’s most interesting content, such as high-resolution planetary images and data from Mars and the Moon, available via the Internet.
Microsoft and NASA will jointly develop the technology and infrastructure necessary to make high-resolution images and scientific data from Mars, the moon and other celestial bodies in the cosmos available for people on Microsoft’s online virtual telescope for exploring the universe, called WorldWide Telescope.
The Redmond software giant’s online “virtual telescope,” WorldWide Telescope, will feature the imagery. Microsoft said that under the deal, NASA’s Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif. will process and host the data.
The WorldWide Telescope is a powerful Web 2.0 visualization atmosphere that functions as a virtual telescope, bringing together imagery from ground- and space-based telescopes for a seamless, rich media-guided exploration of the universe.
“Making NASA’s scientific and astronomical data more accessible to the public is a high priority for NASA,” said the US space agency’s science mission directorate associate administrator Ed Weiler.
“Especially given the new administration’s recent emphasis on open government and transparency.”
Earlier, Google teamed up with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration several years ago to enhance Google Earth with space agency images.
Google Earth features 3D images of Mars, real-time spacecraft tracking, and virtual tours of the red planet at the free online service.
More than 100 terabytes of NASA data, including images from a Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter that has been studying the planet since 2006, will be incorporated into WorldWide Telescope later this year, according to Microsoft.
“This collaboration will enable people around the world to explore new images of the moon and Mars in a rich, interactive environment,” said Microsoft vice president of external research Tony Hey.
“WorldWide Telescope serves as a powerful tool for computer science researchers, educators and students to explore space and experience the excitement of computer science.”
Through WorldWide Telescope and Microsoft technology, people will be able to pan and zoom in on these images and the most interesting locations on Mars and the moon without distorted views at the poles.
Images from a camera will include those from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which was launched in August 2005 and has been taking photos of Mars for three years. Future images will include those from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, which is set to launch in May and will spend at least one year in a low orbit above the moon’s surface.
Worldwide Telescope went live online about a year ago and combines images from ground- and space-based telescopes to simulate peering into the cosmos.
“NASA is excited to collaborate with Microsoft to share its portfolio of planetary images with students and lifelong learners,” said Pete Worden, director of NASA’s Ames Research Center in Northern California.
“This is a compelling astronomical resource and will help inspire our next generation of astronomers.”
Microsoft and NASA have teamed up together before, including on the project that enabled NASA to develop 3D interactive Microsoft Photosynth collections of the space shuttle launch pad and other facilities at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.