Friday, January 29, 2021

Mars in 3D

Ares is an interactive map which uses NASA elevation data to create a 3D map of Mars. Using the map you can explore the red planet at will, climbing in and out of craters like an energetic Mars rover. 

In December Mapbox released Mapbox GL JS V2. This latest build of Mapbox's interactive mapping library includes the option to view the Earth's terrain in 3D using a global Digital Elevation Model. The Ares Mars map works in a similar way - except it uses aerial imagery of Mars draped over the Mars MGS MOLA DEM.

There has been a flurry of Mars maps over the last few months in anticipation of next month's landing of the Perseverance rover on Mars. NASA's 2020 Mars mission will land the rover in the Jazero crater on the 18th of February. You can find some of these other interactive maps of the red planet by checking out the Mars tag on Maps Mania.

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