Is there an actual image of the mars surface somewhere? I poked around the repo but could not find one.
I think this is where the app loads the images from a server
https://github.com/mars-2026/mars26_com/blob/main/src/compon...
Show HN: Open-source high-res Mars map, in natural colors
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Re: Show HN: Open-source high-res Mars map, in natural colors
#22Is there an actual image of the mars surface somewhere? I poked around the repo but could not find one.
I think this is where the app loads the images from a server https://github.com/mars-2026/mars26_com/blob/main/src/compon...
Yes, we are hosting an WMTS server which serves images corresponding to a user's current coordinates and zoom level. One image of the whole surface in full-res would be about 150 GB.
Re: Show HN: Open-source high-res Mars map, in natural colors
#23>While Google’s Mars map uses low resolution images taken in the 70’s Have you checked out Google Earth for Mars? (not Google mars). It provides hi-rise images, and in 3d.
Good point. Google has two Mars Maps. Both are okay-ish. But not good enough really. Let me explain.
Google Mars Maps[1] shows images from the Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC)[2], which produces grey scale and up to 1.5m per pixel. Not quite what we aim for nor what we think is enough.
Google Earth Pro is another one. I appreciate you bring it up, and I'll add a remark to the blog post.
What I like about Google Earth' Mars map is that it offers multiple layers of different quality images, similar to NASA's Mars Trek[3]. Besides, it presents a globe view. Both helps conceptualize the whole experience.
However, Google Earth is missing a lot.
First, we built a web app. Easy access for everybody.
Second, we want to present the real Mars. An image just like you would stand in front of it, like Google Earth for Earth: True color, no jumps between image tiles.
NASA does a better job than Google at that. However, neither show natural color, combined with high resolution.
Google Earth uses a blend of Viking imagery, just like we do. However, they use MOC instead of CTX imagery for that. Which results in somewhat high-res too, but they managed to make it look cut up and unnatural. Their CTX map is low coverage, and of course grey scale.
Our solution: We merge natural color photographs with high-resolution images to offer one combined image. And we'll add elevation in 2-3 days.
[1] https://www.google.com/mars/ [2] http://www.msss.com/all_projects/mgs-mars-orbiter-camera.php [3] https://trek.nasa.gov/mars/
Re: Show HN: Open-source high-res Mars map, in natural colors
#24Oh god, did Twitter infect mars already?
Re: Show HN: Open-source high-res Mars map, in natural colors
#25>While Google’s Mars map uses low resolution images taken in the 70’s Have you checked out Google Earth for Mars? (not Google mars). It provides hi-rise images, and in 3d.
Only at Google would; -Google Earth -Google Mars -Google Earth for Mars ...be three things. Just make Google Earth with a planet drop-down. Edit: seems like this is an option on Google Maps(?)
What they need is a fourth app called Google Planet
Re: Show HN: Open-source high-res Mars map, in natural colors
#26The Murray Lab has done great work on the CTX imagery (which this is based on), and it's also pretty well documented. If you are interested in that sort of thing you can read about it here: http://murray-lab.caltech.edu/CTX/index.html
Are you using the public beta dataset, or did you get access to more refined data?
Re: Show HN: Open-source high-res Mars map, in natural colors
#27Attempting to zoom in or out on my iPhone 12 freezes the site. I’m using Safari.
Thanks for the feedback! Added it to the list :) https://github.com/mars-2026/mars26_com/issues/4
Similar problem here, a single action works (pan or zoom), then the map is frozen and I can’t do anything. I’m using the latest Safari on an iPad Pro.
Re: Show HN: Open-source high-res Mars map, in natural colors
#28Hi HN, we are a small team of space fans who simply wanted a better Mars map. Read about our motivation and process here https://medium.com/mars26/the-most-detailed-mars-map-yet-717... . If you do want to keep up to date, feel free to follow us on Twitter. More features are in the pipeline https://twitter.com/marstwentysix We love PRs and love to hear your feedback on https://github.com/mars-2026/mars26_com ! — Space…
Kudos - awesome work guys - I am trying to find a good spot my great great great grandkids could build on :)
Re: Show HN: Open-source high-res Mars map, in natural colors
#29The Murray Lab has done great work on the CTX imagery (which this is based on), and it's also pretty well documented. If you are interested in that sort of thing you can read about it here: http://murray-lab.caltech.edu/CTX/index.html Are you using the public beta dataset, or did you get access to more refined data?
They are great! We use their public beta CTX images. When we contacted them, they said the blended CTX images will be out of beta by end of the year :)
Re: Show HN: Open-source high-res Mars map, in natural colors
#30Oh wow! Awesome work!