Microsoft And NASA Say “Be A Martian” (Launch Website)

It looks like the worlds largest tech company has teamed up with the worlds largest space agency in order to promote us Earthlings to explore the red planet.

(NASA) NASA and Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash., have collaborated to create a Web site where Internet users can have fun while advancing their knowledge of Mars. [...]

“We’re at a point in history where everyone can be an explorer,” said Doug McCuistion, director of the Mars Exploration Program at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “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.”

Participants will be able to explore details of the solar system’s grandest canyon, which resides on Mars. Users can call up images in the Valles Marineris canyon before moving on to chart the entire Red Planet. The collaboration of thousands of participants could assist scientists in producing far better maps, smoother zoom-in views, and make for easier interpretation of Martian surface changes.

By counting craters, the public also may help scientists determine the relative ages of small regions on Mars. In the past, counting Martian craters has posed a challenge because of the vast numbers involved. By contributing, Web site users will win game points assigned to a robotic animal avatar they select.

While the idea will appeal to kids, it may not draw much interest to adults (both young and old) who may want something more than “points” online.

Microsoft and NASA may want to consider adding other incentives, like a free micro-gravity flight or even a free trip aboard Virgin Galactic’s White Knight to help stir the masses.

Readers can visit BeAMartian.jpl.nasa.gov in order to experience the site for themselves.

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