This 4:50 flyby over the surface of Mars—created by 3D artist Doug Ellison—is the most accurate to date, and the closest thing to being there than any of us would ever be. Simply spectacular.
The flyby uses 3D data gathered from HiRISE, the 0.5-meter reflecting telescope on board NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. The 3D data set was calculated by comparing HiRISE's ultra-crispy images taken from two different points of view. The photos were matched using picture recognition software and converted in a 3D surface map using the position of the orbiter. The result is the most accurate terrain information on the surface of Mars yet. The best thing: All this data is being published by NASA for everyone to use.
Now, could somebody please make a two hour version on full IMAX with David Bowie's music, please.
Come on, NASA! You are wasting precious time here. [Doug Ellison via Discovery via Roger Ebert]