Online endeavor allows you map out Mars online

mars_adaThe recent discovery of water on the moon must have got the geeks at NASA thinking: What is the next generation going to explore once everyone on the moon colony is drinking Lunar Perrier? The answer is, of course, the red planet -- Mars. Yes, NASA has decided man would prefer a dusty ball of ice over that toxic sauna called Venus.

And in an effort with Microsoft called, "Be a Martian," there's a pathway to Martian citizenship that seems loads easier than getting into America. Ride in on one of those KidKraft Deluxe Glow-in-the-Dark Space Train Stations because all you need is a computer for this real-life fantasy.

NASA hopes "citizen scientists" will work in the virtual site to improve Martian maps, take part in research tasks, and assist Mars science teams studying data (at a time when Mars rover is trying to become un-stuck).

Said Doug McCuistion of NASA: "With so much data coming back from Mars missions that are accessible by all, exploring Mars has become a shared human endeavor. People worldwide can expand the specialized efforts of a few hundred Mars mission team members and make authentic contributions of their own."

Contributors will also get points that are assigned to the robotic animal avatar they select -- that's right. Geek alert! They'll then participate in virtual town hall meetings. Let's hope Mars has a health plan and that ideologues there aren't fighting over it.

There's a map room and theater, too. Honestly, it looks a bit boring at this point, but let's see what happens once it gets rolling and there are more animal avatars walking around.

Here's the site: http://beamartian.jpl.nasa.gov/



Share

 

Banner
Contact Us
Chief editor: Michael de Yoanna
Production editor: Chad DiPrince
Advertising: Contact Us
Submit News: Contact Us
About Us
dscriber.com is the vision of a freelance reporter and web developer who aim to create steady funding for worthy journalism projects in an era when print jobs are in shocking decline. On their way there, the two former newspaper employees, joined by a corps of professionals, are having fun exploring the habits of modern readers whilst cultivating the audience needed to fund their noble cause. Ultimately, dscriber aims to create a new model for news publications -- one that pays close attention to what readers want while funding investigations and features that serve the public interest.
Banner