4-Billion-Pixel Panorama View From Curiosity Rover

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4-Billion-Pixel Panorama View From Curiosity Rover

Posted by samzenpus on Thursday March 28, 2013 @11:59AM from the take-a-look dept.

SternisheFan points out that there is a great new panorama made from shots from the Curiosity Rover. "Sweep your gaze around Gale Crater on Mars, where NASA's Curiosity rover is currently exploring, with this 4-billion-pixel panorama stitched together from 295 images. ...The entire image stretches 90,000 by 45,000 pixels and uses pictures taken by the rover's two MastCams. The best way to enjoy it is to go into fullscreen mode and slowly soak up the scenery — from the distant high edges of the crater to the enormous and looming Mount Sharp, the rover's eventual destination."

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it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by wierd_w · 2013-03-28 12:04 · Score: 5, Insightful

Flash player embeds are great and all, but I would rather have a good, high resoluton image that I can span over my multi monitor setup instead as my desktop image.
You know, because I think its cool? I understand that the photographer worked hard to make it, and can release however he damnd well wants, but I would still like this in PNG format.
1. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by one+eyed+kangaroo · 2013-03-28 12:15 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  True enough, but I'm just enjoying it for what it represents, a startling view of another planet.
  I am quite awestruck by this, and find that all the cynicism has drained out of me ;-)
2. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by CastrTroy · 2013-03-28 12:16 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  Here's one I found within 1 minute of searching on Google.
  
  --
  
  Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
3. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by wierd_w · 2013-03-28 12:21 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  But.... that's a JPEG!
  (Still saved it anyway though.)
4. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-28 12:22 · Score: 1, Informative
  
  Uuum, he *already* has released it as image files. Or what do you think the SWF requests from the server?
  Just use Firebug's network tab, to look at the requests, and make a wget command out of it. You're not a Internet child anymore, are you?
5. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by wierd_w · 2013-03-28 12:34 · Score: 1
  
  You know, not everyone has the luxury of a full browser + suite of tools to do such things, and get fed the crippleware "mobile versions" of webpages?
  Because some of us have to sneak access using mobile devices because of corporate firewalls?
  Yeah. That.
6. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by Spikeles · 2013-03-28 12:39 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  Not the exact same picture, but here one with a 88mb TIFF. Here's another with an 88mb TIFF, and here is a whole lot more for your desktop pleasure.
  
  --
  I don't need to test my programs.. I have an error correcting modem.
7. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-28 12:39 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  well, it's three years since 'thoughts on flash' and it's steve jobs that's dead, not the ubiquitous and stubborn little plug-in.
  who'd have thought it eh!
8. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-28 12:41 · Score: 1
  
  Here is FULL uncompressed TIFF image:
  http://marsrover.nasa.gov/gallery/press/spirit/20121109a/PIA16440_McMurdo_Merged_Cyl_L456atc.tif (164Mb)
9. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by X0563511 · 2013-03-28 12:42 · Score: 1
  
  You do realize that would be ~ 11gb of data (uncompressed), right? Even assuming that PNG managed an 80% compression, you'd still have more than 2gb of data.
  
  --
  For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...
10. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by webmistressrachel · 2013-03-28 12:43 · Score: 1
  
  Laptop + "mobile devices" = problem solved.
  This wasn't about PNG's, nor "my internets is crap" because the two contradict each other - and the obvious solution, if you weren't trolling, is shown above. ;-)
  
  --
  This tagline was transcoded to result in at least one smirk. If you experience failure to smirk, please consult your Gen
11. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-28 12:44 · Score: 0
  
  the software used to put the panorama together splits the jpeg up into parts to lessen the load.
  dumbass.
12. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by wierd_w · 2013-03-28 13:03 · Score: 1
  
  While "a" solution, not a workable one in my situation. When I say "sneak", I literally mean it.
  We work with proprietary aerospace engineering data and processes, including DoD funstuff.
  Seriously, there is no way in hell I can sneak in a laptop. It's hard enough sneaking in a smartphone. I am literally stuck with mobile view webpages until after 2am, and limited to the tools available for an android platform running froyo. It isn- by choice that I play in the pool with orange floaties on, ok?
13. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by stereopticon · 2013-03-28 13:07 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  I hate to be the one to tell you this, but that's not the same panorama. Heck, it's not even the same part of Mars. It's from the older robot, you can see the solar panels at the bottom. Curiosity doesn't have solar panels. Looking at the EXIF meta data embedded in that file, it's from 2005.
14. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by wierd_w · 2013-03-28 13:08 · Score: 1
  
  Yes, I know the filesize will be enormous. Been there, done that with NASA HIRISE images.
  I have a 16gb card in the phone, and yank the big image out of it when I go home. I can then resize and reformat the image to suit my own personal needs myself, with an artifact free source. JPEG files meant for webpages look horrible on a high contrast display as the desktop image.
15. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by raftpeople · 2013-03-28 13:12 · Score: 2
  
  Looks like Bakersfield
16. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by hawguy · 2013-03-28 13:16 · Score: 1
  
  While "a" solution, not a workable one in my situation. When I say "sneak", I literally mean it.
  We work with proprietary aerospace engineering data and processes, including DoD funstuff.
  Seriously, there is no way in hell I can sneak in a laptop. It's hard enough sneaking in a smartphone. I am literally stuck with mobile view webpages until after 2am, and limited to the tools available for an android platform running froyo. It isn- by choice that I play in the pool with orange floaties on, ok?
  If you have unusual client side restrictions, then state them when you state your problem or don't whine when someone gives you an "unworkable" solution to your problem.
  But if your computer is locked down tightly enough to prevent you from browsing the internet freely, how do you copy images that you've downloaded to your phone over to your dual-monitor desktop computer without violating your employer's security policy? At my company, when we lock down a computer, not only do we restrict webpages to a small subset of "business need" websites via a logging proxy server that can't be bypassed, but we also prevent external storage devices from being attached and prevent wireless networks from being enabled (though the computers have no Wifi or bluetooth adapters). And these are just computers with access to sensitive business data, we have no DoD policies to worry about.
17. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by wierd_w · 2013-03-28 13:25 · Score: 1
  
  I email the picture to myself later, once I go home. :D
  I log in to the corporate webmail portal, using the crippled browser client, attach the file, and set myself as the recipient.
  Pull the image out once I go back to work the next day. It looks for all the world like an internal email.
18. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by hawguy · 2013-03-28 13:31 · Score: 1
  
  I email the picture to myself later, once I go home. :D
  I log in to the corporate webmail portal, using the crippled browser client, attach the file, and set myself as the recipient.
  Pull the image out once I go back to work the next day. It looks for all the world like an internal email.
  Then why don't you just use your home computer to download the images, as others have suggested?
19. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by wierd_w · 2013-03-28 13:35 · Score: 1
  
  Uh, I did notice. Yes. Thank you captain obvious.
  It was however, and image I did not have. So I yanked it. I also noted it was a jpeg, and not a png.
  Nowhere did I assert that it was the same image. I didn't feel that it needed to be said.
20. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by wierd_w · 2013-03-28 13:45 · Score: 1
  
  Because right now I am at work, and I may forget to push the images later. My house is a 50 minute drive away, and I have another 3.5hrs before the buzzer rings, and I can go home.
  Pulling the image now keeps it in the phone, so that even if I forget about it, I still have it, and can push it later without incident.
  The OP I made was more intended in the tone of "Nasa often offers large PNG files for these kinds of things, even on their mobile version pages. It would sure be nice if this article did the same, or had a link to such an image link for those interested."
  I don't mind sucking down a 200mb+ image file with the phone, then hacking it up later. Getting images out of swf containers on a smartphone with outdated (abandoned) firmware is not a trivial exercise.
21. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by wierd_w · 2013-03-28 14:10 · Score: 1
  
  Sweet! Thanks!
22. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by SternisheFan · 2013-03-28 14:23 · Score: 1
  
  Blame me, I guess I got lazy when I submitted this story that I learned about from scanning GoogleNews. I knew then that I could've dug around the internet a little and googled a bit more for the NASA link I would've found a better link for this. Just felt lazy and figured this page would be 'good enough' (seems pretty damn amazing to me!). I forget how demanding the Slashdot crowd can get sometimes.
  Still, the fact that I can do a 360 panorama tour of the Planet Mars (and view it from my $100 android phone no less) seems absolutely magical to me.
  Amazing times we live in. :^)
23. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-28 14:26 · Score: 0
  
  It's not the same panorama, but this one of Mt. Sharpe is pretty awesome (14576x2018 pixels).
24. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by wierd_w · 2013-03-28 15:09 · Score: 1
  
  Naw, Shit happens man.
  I didn't mean it in a snarky way, even if the replies came out that way due to responding in kind.
  I just like being able to grab the image and keep it. Totally agree about being to pan and zoom on the martian landscape from a POS android phone. Totally diggin it.
  I'm glad you submitted the article. :D
25. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-28 15:19 · Score: 1
  
  Why don't you just email the link to yourself?
26. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by SternisheFan · 2013-03-28 15:40 · Score: 1
  
  Thanks, it is really cool, your tax dollars at work for something worthy, huh.
  I took no offense, btw. I'm doing this all at home all comfylike in my lazyboy, glad it helped you get through your workday. You sound like you know your sh*t, you and others here like having these images in more detail, I'm down with that. I hate zooming in and the image gets blocky looking. Still, great imaging for, what is it, a 2mp camera? Makes me impatient to see the next pics after Curiosity gets moving again to it's next location. Like maybe an interactive panorama taken from the top of Mt. Sharp. :)
27. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-28 16:45 · Score: 0
  
  That's OK, he wasn't replying to you anyway. You can tell if you hit "parent."
28. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by camperdave · 2013-03-28 17:03 · Score: 1
  
  Flash player embeds are great and all, but I would rather have a good, high resoluton image that I can span over my multi monitor setup instead as my desktop image.
  Especially since the controls are backwards.
  
  --
  When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
29. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by WillKemp · 2013-03-28 21:53 · Score: 1
  
  Especially since the controls are backwards.
  No they're not. Just pretend you're controlling the camera.
30. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by slashmydots · 2013-03-29 01:28 · Score: 1
  
  You have a 90,000 pixel wide monitor setup and a GTX Titan or Quadro to calculate the zooming manually? Wooooow.
31. Re:it sure would be nice to get a PNG.. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-29 08:36 · Score: 0
  
  Just use Firebug's network tab, to look at the requests, and make a wget command out of it. You're not a Internet child anymore, are you?
  Asthma, or do you just really admire The Shatner?
Why is there a joystick on the rover? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-28 12:06 · Score: 0

Are they expecting someone to use it?
1. Re:Why is there a joystick on the rover? by SternisheFan · 2013-03-28 12:09 · Score: 2
  
  It looks like one, but it's not a joystick, it's a sundial. NASA uses it to fine tune Curiosity's positioning system
2. Re:Why is there a joystick on the rover? by K.+S.+Kyosuke · 2013-03-28 12:15 · Score: 1
  
  It looks like one, but it's not a joystick, it's a sundial. NASA uses it to fine tune Curiosity's positioning system
  Also, it's a backup RTC for measuring time.
  
  --
  Ezekiel 23:20
3. Re:Why is there a joystick on the rover? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-28 12:49 · Score: 0
  
  It looks like one, but it's not a joystick, it's a sundial. NASA uses it to fine tune Curiosity's positioning system
  Also, it's a backup RTC for measuring time.
  What does RTC stand for then? Remote Time Clock?
4. Re:Why is there a joystick on the rover? by wierd_w · 2013-03-28 17:23 · Score: 1
  
  RTC == RealTime Clock
  It has meant that since at last the 1980s that I know of.
shucks by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-28 12:09 · Score: 0

The panorama view has so much artifacting that you can't zoom in entirely. Sad.
1. Re:shucks by icebike · 2013-03-28 13:28 · Score: 1
  
  Its your equipment. Works perfectly for me.
  What you call artifacting, I call dusty air.
  
  --
  Sig Battery depleted. Reverting to safe mode.
2. Re:shucks by WillKemp · 2013-03-28 21:57 · Score: 1
  
  What you call artifacting, I call dusty air.
  Air? On Mars?
3. Re:shucks by SternisheFan · 2013-03-28 23:17 · Score: 1
  
  What you call artifacting, I call dusty air.
  Air? On Mars?
  Not yet. But introduce oxygen creating lichens to the surface, mayhap one day we could at the least have enclosed domes trapping oxygen. That would keep us alive until we figure out how to create a working magnetosphere. Not an easy thing to do, creating an atmosphere that wouldn't get blown away by cosmic winds, not impossible though.
  - - -
  The 'impossible' is just something that hasn't been done yet.
4. Re:shucks by icebike · 2013-03-29 04:23 · Score: 1
  
  The definition of air is sufficiently broad to include the Martian atmosphere. Mars has wind sufficient to cause dust storms, so there is obviously air of some composition there.
  
  --
  Sig Battery depleted. Reverting to safe mode.
5. Re:shucks by SternisheFan · 2013-03-29 04:40 · Score: 1
  
  From Wikipedia:
  The atmosphere of Mars is, like that of Venus, composed mostly of carbon dioxide though far thinner. There has been renewed interest in its composition since the detection of traces of methane[2][3] that may indicate life but may also be produced by a geochemical process, volcanic or hydrothermal activity.
  The atmospheric pressure on the Martian surface averages 600 pascals (0.087 psi), about 0.6% of Earth's mean sea level pressure of 101.3 kilopascals (14.69 psi) and only .0065% that of Venus's 9.2 megapascals (1,330 psi). It ranges from a low of 30 pascals (0.0044 psi) on Olympus Mons's peak to over 1,155 pascals (0.1675 psi) in the depths of Hellas Planitia. Mars's atmospheric mass of 25 teratonnes compares to Earth's 5148 teratonnes with a scale height of about 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) versus Earth's 7 kilometres (4.3 mi). The Martian atmosphere is about 95% carbon dioxide, 3% nitrogen, 1.6% argon, and traces of free oxygen, carbon monoxide, water and methane, among other gases, for a mean molar mass of 43.34 g/mol.[1][5] The atmosphere is quite dusty, giving the Martian sky a light brown or orange color when seen from the surface; data from the Mars Exploration Rovers indicate that suspended dust particles within the atmosphere are roughly 1.5 micrometres across
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmosphere_of_Mars
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Mars
6. Re:shucks by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-29 07:20 · Score: 0
  
  Yes, Mars has air. What do you think blew the dust of the two little rovers' solar panels?
Sometimes science gives me a woody by gubon13 · 2013-03-28 12:11 · Score: 3, Insightful

I'm trying to understand the sheer awesomeness of the technologies necessary to get to this point where I can have some sense of what it's like to be on Mars, and it's a bit of a pant-tenter...
1. Re:Sometimes science gives me a woody by rsmith-mac · 2013-03-28 13:09 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  We really do live in the future. I'm looking at a panoramic, high definition landscape of another planet from my couch. How can you not get excited about it?!
  People spend all of this time bitching about all the things that are wrong in the world, and they only half-realize all the awesome things that go on such as this. We live in the future and I wouldn't have it any other way.
  P.S. Not all of us are male, you insensitive clod. Though the realization that I'm now wetter than Mars from looking at Mars has a certain tinge of irony to it
2. Re:Sometimes science gives me a woody by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-28 15:10 · Score: 0
  
  Worst interpretation of Rule 34 ever.
3. Re:Sometimes science gives me a woody by bfandreas · 2013-03-28 17:25 · Score: 1
  
  This is awesome. In the original meaning of the word "awesome".
  We are looking in great detail at the landscape of another planet. Give it another couple of decades and this picture will include astronauts high fiving each other. Ray Bradbury would have had a word or two to say about that.
  
  It looks kinda desolate, tho. Makes one appreciate good ole Terra a little bit more. An inhabitable planet? Wot, wif green an all? Awesome! Let's frack it!
  
  --
  20 minutes into the future
4. Re:Sometimes science gives me a woody by interkin3tic · 2013-03-29 02:24 · Score: 1
  
  People spend all of this time bitching about all the things that are wrong in the world, and they only half-realize all the awesome things that go on such as this..
  Well yeah, we bitch about THIS world. Awesome stuff may be happening on MARS, but here in this world, there's nothing but suckiness and things going wrong. Must be because there's nothing living on mars to fuck up shit. Dr. Manhattan had it right the first time.
  
  Okay, that started out as a joke making fun of your word choice, but now I've gone from awestruck at the panorama to depressed...
5. Re:Sometimes science gives me a woody by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-29 02:56 · Score: 0
  
  Really dude, lighten up. Marvin the depressed robot has a better outlook on life than you. :-)
  - - -
  captcha = compute
In a year ... by PPH · 2013-03-28 12:25 · Score: 2, Funny

... something will have snuck up on the rover and written WASH ME in its dust with their tentacle.

--
Have gnu, will travel.
Wash me! by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-28 12:34 · Score: 0

Quick, somebody write "Wash Me!" on the rover before they get it in for a wash.
1. Re:Wash me! by HornWumpus · 2013-03-28 12:50 · Score: 1
  
  'I wish I had a girlfriend half as dirty as this rover!'
  They should have written it in teflon or PTFE so it would 'magically' show up on mars. Spent a few million to find which coating would work best.
  I know it would be impossible. Have to settle for for the photoshop.
  
  --
  John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
Another use for Curiosity ? by Taco+Cowboy · 2013-03-28 12:40 · Score: 1, Insightful

If Curiosity's wheels fall off and can't move anymore, there might be another use for Curiosity
As long as the camera still functioning, as long as the power generation unit still functioning, and as long as Curiosity can still send messages back to earth, the rover can be used as a "telescope" stationed at Mars
The air of Mars is clean, with no pollutants, and the sky is clear, VERY VERY CLEAR, out there

--
Muchas Gracias, Señor Edward Snowden !
1. Re:Another use for Curiosity ? by icebike · 2013-03-28 13:04 · Score: 2
  
  Wait till the next dust storm comes along. Not so clear then.
  
  --
  Sig Battery depleted. Reverting to safe mode.
2. Re:Another use for Curiosity ? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-28 13:21 · Score: 0
  
  How did they get Luc's kitchen up there?
3. Re:Another use for Curiosity ? by fahrbot-bot · 2013-03-28 16:14 · Score: 1
  
  the rover can be used as a "telescope" stationed at Mars
  Having seen the clear night sky a few times from (mildly) remote areas here on Earth, I can only imagine the view at night on Mars. (sigh)
  
  --
  It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
4. Re:Another use for Curiosity ? by camperdave · 2013-03-28 17:02 · Score: 1
  
  Oh, Luc's kitchen is just a short distance from the sound stage where the Curiosity rover footage is being faked.
  
  --
  When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
5. Re:Another use for Curiosity ? by T-Bone-T · 2013-03-28 22:54 · Score: 1
  
  I looked up and it looks even less clear than where I am out in the desert. The sun disappears behind the dust well before it hits the horizon. I can't see any stars less than 45 degrees above the horizon. Just because there are no pollutants doesn't mean the sky will be clear.
6. Re:Another use for Curiosity ? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-28 23:12 · Score: 0
  
  Forget Luc and his kitchen, head due west for the ocean. They say they wan to send people to a one-way trip to Mars... count me in!
7. Re:Another use for Curiosity ? by synackpshfin · 2013-03-29 03:14 · Score: 1
  
  Wait until a *sandworm* comes along! :)
Duct Tape? by eljefe6a · 2013-03-28 12:48 · Score: 1

Is it me or is the cylinder on the back covered in duct tape? Times are tough at NASA...
1. Re:Duct Tape? by ColdWetDog · 2013-03-28 13:00 · Score: 1
  
  Times are tough? What are you about?
  That's NASA's lucky duct tape. You'll find it on any mission.
  
  --
  Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
2. Re:Duct Tape? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-28 13:12 · Score: 0
  
  Damn, you can fix anything with good old duct tape, great invention from the 1940s, good use of cotton and glue/ plastic.
  Looking around here on Mars, I can already see where my house should be built near Mt. Sharp, the schools and community centers, pool, go over there to the east, and the giant shopping center/ mall to the west, New Yankee Stadium goes here....
Re:Corrupt moderator will try to censor this... ap by MrKaos · 2013-03-28 12:50 · Score: 1, Insightful

I only post where hosts file usage is on topic or appropriate for a solution & certainly NOT IN EVERY POST ON SLASHDOT (like the nutcase trying to "impersonate me" is doing for nearly all of March now, & 170++ times that I know of @ least)... apk
Then stop posting as AC FFS.

--
My ism, it's full of beliefs.
my first upvote: discussion thread on the new upvo by epine · 2013-03-28 13:18 · Score: 1, Offtopic

Not having much success with the new feature: appears there is no thread on the new upvote feature.
So here's the thing. We can use this for good, or we can use this for evil.
Good: Voting up story submissions that don't end in woolly assertions soliciting a lather of unfocused submissions.
Good: Voting down story submissions that leave out critical bits of context as if everyone goes off to immediately RTFA.
Bad: Voting down perfectly geeky submissions because it's just not your particular kink.
Let's raise the editorial standards and not turn this into a popularity contest. If this degenerates into nothing but a popularity trinket, there won't be damn soul over the age of 30 who posts here ever again.
A $2K panorama by bhlowe · 2013-03-28 13:47 · Score: 1

Here is a panorama stitched using 936 images taken with a low-cost PTZ camera.. http://nuspectra.com/pano/ Fully-automated and for under $2K.
1. Re:A $2K panorama by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-28 14:28 · Score: 0
  
  If automation means everything to you, maybe that seems cheap. But the trade-off seems to be poor quality images and bad stitching. With a real DSLR and a fisheye lens (easily obtainable under $1000) you could have captured that scene in a few minutes. Chuck it at any of the many automated or semi-automated stitchers and you'd have yourself a beautiful panorama and the one person in shot would probably still have their head.
  
  low-cost ... under $2K.
  Something doesn't add up...
2. Re:A $2K panorama by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-28 14:31 · Score: 0
  
  As a response to a 4 billion pixel panorama taken on another planet, I can't help feeling underwhelmed. I mean, I'm sure NASA would envy the substantial financial savings, but eh...
3. Re:A $2K panorama by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-29 00:49 · Score: 0
  
  Heh, that's pretty good. The largest hill/ mini-mountain in the center is evocative of Mt. Sharp in this panorama.
  Well, Mt. Sharp in a few hundred years from now, after some terra-forming has taken 'root' on Mars.
4. Re:A $2K panorama by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-29 06:47 · Score: 0
  
  Hey... ain't that the lonely parking lot where I date raped your sister last year ??
Images like this... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-28 15:05 · Score: 0

...make me say F*#% sending humans to Mars. We spend a trillion dollars and a few people get to experience it. We spend a few billion on more advanced rovers which can REALLY blow your socks off with imagery, and I, personally can experience Mars, setting right here in my living room...by a warm fire, sipping some nice whiskey.
1. Re:Images like this... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-28 16:51 · Score: 0
  
  You know, since you're not experiencing Mars while sitting right there in your living room, you'd be better off keeping quiet.
2. Re:Images like this... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-29 04:13 · Score: 0
  
  But I *am* experiencing Mars, at least as much as anyone else on Earth ever has. Well, barring a few scientists who have touched a rubber glove which has touched a plastic liner which has touched a meteorite which may possibly be from Mars. Point is, even with an insane 'Mars colonization" effort of 10,000 people sent there tomorrow, it still means 99.999857+% of us never get to go there.
  For a fractional percentage of that cost, we could develop technology and send rovers to relay giga or even terapixel images, truly develop 'smell-o-vision' and see what Mars smells like, feels like, sounds like, etc. We can ALL enjoy that to a modest extent right here on the computer, or perhaps take in a trip to a museum or future 'IMAX' theater or 'holodeck' for a fully immerse experience.
Dirty wheels? by Charliemopps · 2013-03-28 15:18 · Score: 1

So I was noticing how filthy the wheels are... and I'm wondering, if the planets as dry as it's supposed to be, why would dirt be sticking to anything? What's making it sticky? Static? I'm a bit perplexed by what seems to be moist earth rather than desert sands as I'd expect.
1. Re:Dirty wheels? by ProgramErgoSum · 2013-03-28 16:49 · Score: 1
  
  Perhaps, the tread in the wheels scuffed up some ? Valid observation though...
2. Re:Dirty wheels? by SternisheFan · 2013-03-28 17:16 · Score: 2
  
  So I was noticing how filthy the wheels are... and I'm wondering, if the planets as dry as it's supposed to be, why would dirt be sticking to anything? What's making it sticky? Static? I'm a bit perplexed by what seems to be moist earth rather than desert sands as I'd expect.
  I googled that question and it came up with this page (linked below). Scroll down to see some very fine closeup pics of the rovers dirty wheels.
  The best comments seem to agree that it could be a combination of very fine dust and static involved.
  http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread880460/pg1
North...? East...? by ProgramErgoSum · 2013-03-28 17:01 · Score: 1

The UI for navigating the image has N pointing ahead/upward. Is it same as Earth North ? And, Martian East is the same as the direction of sunrise ?
1. Re:North...? East...? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-29 08:29 · Score: 0
  
  The UI for navigating the image has N pointing ahead/upward. Is it same as Earth North ? And, Martian East is the same as the direction of sunrise ?
  
  Yes. North is north no matter what planet (except maybe Neptune, which got knocked over and has its rotational axis pointing toward the sun rather than Polaris or Acrux). If you see Polaris you'r eon the norther hemisphere, no matter whaich solar planet (except Neptune). If you see Acrux (the Southern Cross) you're in the southern hemisphere no matter which solar planet (except Neptune) you're standing on. Mars rotational direction is the same as the Earth's, so the sun rises in the East and sets in the west.
  I say "solar" planet because this only applies to this solar system.
  Here, read this (my) novel that the first draft of is almost finished. Mars features prominantly in it.
Population of Earth by Tablizer · 2013-03-28 18:38 · Score: 1

That's approximately one pixel per person on Earth.
I'm that rust-colored pixel on that rust-colored rock next to the dusty soil.

--
Table-ized A.I.
I have bettern image viewers than a browser by Skapare · 2013-03-28 19:33 · Score: 1

... so why limit people to browsers?

--
now we need to go OSS in diesel cars
Wow, the rover! by m.alessandrini · 2013-03-28 19:47 · Score: 3, Informative

Am I the only one looking amazed at the rover and ignoring the landscape? It's like my child's robot dreams starting slowly to come true.
NASA provide a good MSL multimedia section by rishistar · 2013-03-28 20:17 · Score: 1

I have just finished doing a music video for a song I have about the Mars rovers. I was very impressed with the image data that NASA makes available on the Mars Science Laboratory - RAW images from cameras as well as annotated images with explanations.

--
Professor Karmadillo Songs of Science
Quartz vein? by WillKemp · 2013-03-28 22:06 · Score: 1

That looks like quartz veins on the horizontal lying rock about north east by east. I wonder if it is.
This image brings it home by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-28 22:58 · Score: 0

Looks like Mars has good solid soil for which to build on. Since it doesnt have a molten core anymore and the entire planet's surface is all 'locked' together (not 'floating' like Earth's continents), that must mean Mars doesn't have earthquakes. This would make the task of creating safe, tall buildings much easier. I can envision mankind creating quite a nice second home here, and these pics of the planet brings out the adventurer in me. Land! Pristine, untouched, wide open land as far as the eye can see, a second chance for humans to have a new 'Eden'. (If we don't screw it up.) It sure looks inviting It seems like Mars has just been waiting patiently for us to grow up and colonize her.
1. Re:This image brings it home by vikingpower · 2013-03-29 06:44 · Score: 1
  
  It seems like Mars has just been waiting patiently for us to grow up and colonize her.
  HIM puhleeze, puhleeze. Some respect for the linguistical testes of the former god of war. Puhleeze. Him.
  
  --
  Religous speak to God. Insane are spoken to by God. When all shut up, one can finally hear Shostakovich in peace
2. Re:This image brings it home by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-29 08:24 · Score: 0
  
  It seems like Mars has just been waiting patiently for us to grow up and colonize her.
  HIM puhleeze, puhleeze. Some respect for the linguistical testes of the former god of war. Puhleeze. Him.
  I realized as I was composing my post that Mars is named after the 'male' god of war. Though for some reason it felt right to me that a planet should be referred to in the female sense, such as a car or ship/ boat is considered a 'she'. Also "Mother Earth".
  It's a good question to leave to you all here, is the Planet Mars a male or a female?
The only thing I could think of.. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-29 01:40 · Score: 0

Was how many wonderful "skipping rocks" there are. All you need is a lake...
The Sun by Muse011 · 2013-03-29 01:59 · Score: 1

Sure is weird seeing the Sun from another planet. Looks pretty much the same, though through a dustier atmosphere.
Anyone else? by blackholepcs · 2013-03-29 02:46 · Score: 1

I took a look at the panorama and it is indeed awesome. But I found myself immediately trying to identify "objects" and patterns. Not because I believe that there are non-natural artifacts there, but because my brain started saying "Ok, let's see what kind of ridiculous things Richard C. Doucheland will claim as proof of aliens".

I like the guys enthusiasm, and I share a very small percent of his views, but I honestly cannot take him seriously at all. I've never seen someone so intelligent be so purposefully stupid. "Oh and look what we have here ladies and gentlemen. Rectilinear geometry. You can see it plain as day. All you have to do is look. See? I zoomed this low resolution jpeg by 2500% and you can start to see all sorts of lines and squares...where there should be none! It looks...like....a pyramid, people!"

Sometimes I think he's actually a reverse psychology experiment. The government uses him to discredit his own theories by having him use the most ridiculous "proof" possible, "proof" that even a middle school kid can see is absolute hogwash.

--
Halitosis - (n.) Halle Berry's Camel Toe.
Look Like... by AllenABQ · 2013-03-29 02:53 · Score: 1

Stunning image. And yet, I can't help but think it looks at lot like parts of New Mexico. It's easy to do a mental subsitution of low-growing, evergreen-type shrubs for what are actually rocks in the picture. :D
rover should go visit luc by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-29 05:21 · Score: 0

it's only 3.3km away!!
Re:my first upvote: discussion thread on the new u by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-29 08:07 · Score: 0

You're offtopic, son. Put it in your slashdot journal. Whoever modded you "underrated" (you're at 2, offtopic now) should never get mod points!
It's not I folks: It's Jeremiah Cornelius... apk by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-31 11:09 · Score: 0

THIS is why he's doing it & proof of it, here -> http://interviews.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=3585927&cid=43295193 when others pointed out Jeremiah Cornelius forgot to submit one of the "first post spams" masquerading as myself as AC, & mistakenly submitted one of the impersonations of myself as his registered 'luser' name here on /. forums.
Pretty pitiful actually, but like every up to no good idiot does? He screwed up & submitted it under his registered 'luser' name here, instead of his ac submittals he's been doing.
* Jeremiah Cornelius: DO YOURSELF, and the rest of us, A GIANT FAVOR MAN: Seek professional psychiatric help!
(Since Jeremiah Cornelius obviously can't get over the fact he made a spelling error on what it is HE ALLEGEDLY DID FOR A LIVING? That's not MY fault... it's HIS!)
APK
P.S.=> I seriously must have dusted JC (in his mind @ least) for his BAD spelling error & it "got his goat"...
I.E.-> Catching what he claimed to do as a job, for YEARS he left "PENETRATION" (correct) spelled as "PENTRATION" (incorrect) on his resume on LinkedIn & I pointed it out as he & his friends trolled me as usual (webmistressrachel, gmhowell, & crew (probably ALL JC no doubt using alterate emails or TOR to do it as a possible - I've caught "them & theirs" doing it before, ala Barbara, not Barbie = TomHudson (same person))).
So THAT is what has gotten his goat in a technical debate & his "geek angst" could only come up with *trying* to "impersonate me" in every news thread on /. for the month of March 2013 so far!
(Just to attempt to 'discredit me' as a spammer here obviously)
Doing so, by posting that "$10,000 challenge" &/or reposts of my old posts on hosts file value to end users into EVERY SINGLE NEWS ARTICLE POSTED on /. ...
It's all I can think of that *might* cause such a mentally troubled 'reaction' like the Jeremiah Cornelius is doing & there's NO QUESTION he's the one doing this spamming of nearly every posted article masquerading as myself...!
... apk