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Pathfinder Landing Site VRML Visualization Explore the Mars Pathfinder Landing Site in 3D with VRML 2.0. The VRML models presented here shows the terrain of the Mars Pathfinder landing site annotated with a model of the Sagan Memorial Station, the Sojourner rover (with the path of its traverse &latest position) and a number of billboards showing area of interest within the landing site. |
Below are VRML models of the terrain around the Sagan Memorial Station on Mars. They were produced by analyzing the left eye and right eye images returned from the IMP camera, and calculating a 3D map of the terrain. Then, the camera images were draped onto the terrain as image textures, which gives the model a very realistic appearance. You will notice that from some viewpoints, such as directly overhead, the terrain looks stretched out when you look away from the lander. Also, some large objects like boulders, cast shadows behind them. These shadows look like "holes" in the terrain. These distortions occur because the IMP camera is mounted on the lander and can only see the objects visible from one point. To see the original viewpoint from which the images were taken, select the "lander" view in your browser. From that view, turning left and right allows you to see what the IMP camera saw when it took the images. In addition, each VRML model has numerous pre-defined viewpoints, through which you can navigate.
Each of the models presented here show the Carl Sagan Memorial Station,
the Sojouner rover (with the rover's estimated path &latest position),
the surrounding terrain, &numerous billboard objects of areas of interest
within the landing site. Within these models, there are numerous Anchor
Links (Movie Projector Icons &Billboards) to images and data from the
mission. This use of links to actual mission data from point within the
VRML model provides an intuitive means of exploring the progress of the
mission. These interactive models of the landing site require the use of
a frames capable browser. If you do not wish to use the frames version of
these models, several non-frames versions
of these models are available. Each of these models have been tested
with SGI's Cosmo Player (version 1.0). These VRML 2 models are presented
in a number of different terrain model resolutions. For best viewing, please
pick the appropriate model for your computer & network configuration.
Important Note: Even the highest resolution model presented here is significantly lower in resolution than the original Pathfinder science data. Consequently, some artificats resulting from compression &polygon reduction may be present.
Colormap Note: Some computer display configurations may experience unwanted color changes as they load images in the bottom "annotation frame ". If you experience this "colormap flashing ", there are two possible solutions:
Enjoy.
Lowest Resolution model(~270 KB) This is the lowest resolution
model with both reduced polygon count and low resolution terrain textures.
We recommend this model if you are connecting through a lower speed modem
(14.4K ) and/or if you are running on lower speed Pentium class system (<100MHZ).
NOTE: With a 14.4k you will be in for a bit of a wait. 
Lowest Resolution model with Non-Textured Terrain (~250 KB)
Certain browser or computer configurations may experience problems rendering
the previous VRML model with textured terrain. This VRML model is identical
to the model above with the exception that the terrain is not textured.
If you experience problems viewing the previous textured mode (washed-out
terrain, improper texture placements) or if you find rendering performance
a problem, this non-textured model may provide a viewing alternative. In
addition by looking at the un-adorned terrain of this model, the viewer
may see certain geometric nuances that are not obvious in the textured model.
Low Resolution model (~340 KB) If you are connected via
a 28.8 modem &if you have a newer Pentium class system (>100MHZ),
then we recommend this model as a more accurate alternative to the previous
models. The high polygon count of this model makes for a dramatic difference
in viewing quality. 
Low Resolution model with Non-Textured Terrain (~325 KB)
This VRML model is identical to the model above with the exception that
the terrain is not textured. In addition to rendering performance considerations,
viewing the 18k polygon terrain without texture may provide some insight
not apparent in the textured terrain. 
Medium Resolution model (~900 KB) This model has a moderate
level of polygon reduction and higher resolution textures on the terrain.
If you are connected via an ISDN modem and if you have a high end PC or
medium performance workstation, then we recommend this model. The improvement
in quality through the use of higher resolution terrain textures is very
apparent in this model. 
High Resolution model (~1800 KB) This model is the highest
resolution model of the terrain currently available with high resolution
terrain textures. In general you should NOT even think about loading this
model unless you have very good connectivity. to see the latest visualizations from Mars Pathfinder! We will be updating these models often with new Sojouner position &path data, more billboards, more movies, higher quality and animated Sojouner rover within the model.
These VRML models are brought to you by...
Intelligent
Mechanisms Group at the NASA Ames Research Center
Fourth
Planet, Inc.
Sojouner rover model provided by Silicon Graphics
.
These models were constructed with the help of software tools from the
following companies:
Innovmetric Software Inc. , Sense8 , & Silicon
Graphics.