NASA Mars Trek lets you virtually explore the Red Planet's surface in high-res

 By 
Stan Schroeder
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Google Earth View and a multitude of other online map services have made it possible to pinpoint almost any location in the world -- but what about other planets?

NASA's new service, Mars Trek, lets you explore an interactive map of Mars from your desktop or mobile browser.

Data for Mars Trek comes from NASA's many missions to Mars. In one of the views, you can spin the planet using your mouse and explore it from every side.

Explore the surface of Mars right from your phone or browser http://t.co/lXcvMJ86bh #JourneyToMars #SDCC pic.twitter.com/7y8KWNyU5e— NASA (@NASA) July 10, 2015

The service also offers the ability to calculate distance and elevation. It also lets you generate STL files to 3D print a portion of the planet's surface. You can also set bookmarks; by default, landing sites of NASA's Mars rovers are included, as well as some of the planet's most interesting features, including the gigantic Olympus Mons volcano (above) and the majestic Valles Marineris canyon system.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The "outreach" product, according to NASA, is aimed primarily at students and the general public, but more technical information for scientists and advanced students will come in future releases.

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