NASA and Microsoft have just announced plans to make images of planets and other space data available for public viewing and exploration via the Internet using Microsoft’s online virtual telescope under a Space Act Agreement.
“This collaboration between Microsoft and NASA will enable people around the world to explore new images of the moon and Mars in a rich, interactive environment through the WorldWide Telescope,” said Tony Hey, corporate vice president of Microsoft External Research in Redmond, Wash. “WorldWide Telescope serves as a powerful tool for computer science researchers, educators and students to explore space and experience the excitement of computer science.”
Together the two companies will develop the necessary technology and infrastructure to make high resolution images from the likes of the moon and Mars as well as other interesting images from space available for viewers to explore using Microsoft’s online virtual telescope.
“Making NASA’s scientific and astronomical data more accessible to the public is a high priority for NASA, especially given the new administration’s recent emphasis on open government and transparency,” said Ed Weiler, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington.
“NASA is excited to collaborate with Microsoft to share its portfolio of planetary images with students and lifelong learners,” said S. Pete Worden, director of Ames. “This is a compelling astronomical resource and will help inspire our next generation of astronomers.”
No doubt it will. The opportunity to explore space in this way is bound to please not only space enthusiasts across the globe but will also inspire teachers and students from many disciplines who will be able to make use of it for educational purposes. It certainly beats boring text books and lengthy lectures.
For those who don’t already know, the WorldWide Telescope is a Web 2.0 visualisation software environment that basically turns your computer into a virtual telescope. It was only launched a year ago and so far has proved extremely popular attracting millions of users including members of the public, students and scientists alike.
If you want to see what the telescope is all about you can download WorldWide Telescope for free from the WorldWide Telescope website.
Some of the images users will be able to explore include those from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter launched in August 2005 and also NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter which is due to launch this coming May.
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