tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-105123802011-08-16T00:19:01.756-07:00Home of the Midnight Mars Browser software, which allows users to view slideshows and "virtual reality" panoramas of images from the Mars Exploration Rovers "Spirit" and "Opportunity".Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comBlogger3801100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-32491388652300990192010-06-18T09:46:00.000-07:002011-05-06T14:37:33.293-07:00

Just a note to inform people that MMB 2.x is no longer a supported project. It's still working at the time of writing, but if Exploratorium goes away, or if someday JPL changes their image posting format, then it will stop working, and it's unlikely that I'll have time to update it. I'm keeping the binaries available because people still get some use out of it, but there will be no further

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-76040423920052110742008-09-19T12:31:00.001-07:002008-09-19T12:31:27.805-07:00

WOO HOO! Big Crater Big Crater Big Crater!

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-74817141960129637742008-08-30T18:12:00.001-07:002008-08-30T18:13:47.817-07:00

Another change to Exploratorium requires an update to Midnight Mars Version 2.0.2, which is now available.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-8814925910700462082008-08-30T08:00:00.000-07:002008-08-30T18:11:57.466-07:00

A 2.0.1 update is now available through the update software feature. This fixes a new incompatibility with the Exploratorium site which suddenly appeared, which was preventing images from being downloaded.I've updated Google Code with the 2.0.1 packages as well, but I've run out of space there, so only the Windows version and the Mac on Intel versions are posted; Mac on PowerPC is not. I'll have

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-5277146722773140352008-06-06T09:29:00.001-07:002008-06-06T11:53:10.022-07:00

As everyone already knows, Phoenix has landed and is currently busy kicking ass and taking names (scientifically speaking) on the northern tundra of Mars. I've added some basic image-downloading functionality to MMB2.0, described here.In other news, I've been very busy trying to launch some other software projects. I may have to start a new blog to promote that work at some point. Space-related

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-65678474198592970222008-02-04T16:35:00.000-08:002008-02-04T16:37:41.993-08:00

A little fix: the processor usage was reading high, even when the program should have been idle. Thanks to Doug over at Unmanned Spaceflight for pointing it out. I think the fix even boosts the performance a bit, but it's hard to tell.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-89320173934675656902008-02-03T13:38:00.000-08:002008-02-03T14:51:56.294-08:00

Eagle-eyed readers may notice that there is a new mission statement for the project, over on the right-hand side there. (It's under the heading that says "Mission Statement".) Currently MMB2.0 is a program directed at a small set of fairly hard-core space enthusiasts, who already know quite a bit about the robotic Mars missions. My new goal is turn MMB2.0 into a program that anyone can download

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-69604135516342897042008-02-03T11:10:00.000-08:002008-02-03T11:28:07.157-08:00

In panorama mode, the rover model now automatically appears in position when you hover the mouse over a 'hotspot' in the rover tracking. And, when you click on the hotspot, the panorama view now shifts to that position. So now you can wander around in the rovers' footsteps just by clicking with the mouse.As usual, you can download the latest here, or if you already have 2.0, you can use the "

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-50474417393171518632008-01-30T17:45:00.000-08:002008-01-30T18:04:08.094-08:00

I've updated to a new Blogger template, and updated the site to emphasize MMB 2.0. Blogger's new template editing features are pretty impressive. Okay, maybe they're not that new, I just haven't been paying attention until now.Also I've enabled comments once again - but with moderation turned on, to avoid spam.Oh, and, if you use Midnight Mars Browser and want to support the project, the "Donate"

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-9841262486149994502008-01-23T17:32:00.000-08:002008-01-23T17:40:05.198-08:00

The Midnight Mars Browser project is now hosted here at Google Code. Google Code is a fantastic place for hosting small open-source software projects like MMB. Setup and administration is a breeze (so far, anyway), which is particularly important for a spare-time developer without a lot of spare time. I'll be updating the site with additional documentation, and updating the issues list, as

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-41278421195979390552007-12-27T15:19:00.000-08:002007-12-27T15:20:33.256-08:00

Metadata updates will resume on January 2.The rovers are moving so slowly these days, I'm guessing not much will happen for the next week anyway.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-88204531948054772742007-11-22T09:32:00.000-08:002008-06-22T14:33:18.249-07:00

This update to 2.0 sees some reorganization to make it easier and less confusing to browse images. The "Locations" view has been replaced by a new "Time Intervals" view. Previously, MMB panoramas contained all the images from one location. This doesn't always work very well, since increasingly, the rovers are staying in one place for long periods of time, and images often overlap. So now,

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-56692423346898794062007-10-03T17:30:00.000-07:002007-10-03T17:29:26.199-07:00

What a great idea: Spirit and Opportunity '08!!! At last, a ticket I can really get behind.http://rising-hegemon.blogspot.com/2007/10/example-of-good-return-on-govt-money.htmlSent from my iPhone

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-8098120841428672232007-09-30T17:14:00.001-07:002007-09-30T17:14:14.646-07:00

Another great rover update by A.J.S Rayl at the Planetary Society: http://www.planetary.org/news/2007/0930_Mars_Exploration_Rovers_Update_Spirit.htmlHighlights: Teams hopes to have Spirit winter at Von Braun/Goddard after investigating Home Plate. Opportunity will be at her present location for some weeks, investigating the top of the bright layer inside Victoria Crater. The bright layer

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-61559672158453506222007-09-28T20:08:00.000-07:002007-09-28T20:09:21.481-07:00

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-53609545547372213082007-09-07T09:13:00.000-07:002007-09-07T09:18:51.029-07:00

With the unofficial end of summer, comes the unofficial resumption of work on Midnight Mars Browser. My hope is to slowly add some more "polish" to the application, and finally get to an official "2.0" release.Dev version 8 is a small step in that direction. I've upgraded the framework to Eclipse 3.3, which buys us a few nice features. In particular the popup views are very useful, once you've

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-34616897265370048022007-05-22T21:17:00.000-07:002007-05-22T21:56:05.030-07:00

I've posted the latest and greatest... If you are already using MMB 2.0 dev5 or later, you can just choose Help -> Update Software (be sure to let it run... it should have a progress indicator but does not yet). Otherwise, here.Important note: You will need to update to this latest version for the panorama feature to work correctly. This is because the metadata has changed to support the

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-15823225663660325872007-05-13T07:20:00.000-07:002007-05-13T07:23:12.170-07:00

I had to take down the movies, as they were using up too much bandwidth.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-76548351375817909602007-05-04T06:41:00.001-07:002007-05-04T06:45:13.536-07:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } 76m drive on Opportunity Sol 1163, originally uploaded by marscat. Opportunity has begun the trip back to "Duck Bay", where it's likely that she will drive into Victoria Crater.Flickr's blog feature has been improved since

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-68962019214527687182007-05-04T06:38:00.001-07:002007-05-04T06:38:42.451-07:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Drive on Opportunity sol 1162, originally uploaded by marscat.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-76628961685445077382007-04-17T13:18:00.000-07:002007-04-17T13:24:07.791-07:00

To go along with the rover tracking feature in MMB2.0, there will soon be a "Rover Model" feature, where you can move a 3D model of the rover along the rover's actual path to see what it looks like in relation to the surroundings. UnmannedSpaceflight.com maestro Doug Ellison created the 3D rover model that MMB will use. Check it out an early version in these QuickTime movies:Opportunity Sol 1061-

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-78533027330442905132007-04-11T06:13:00.000-07:002007-04-11T06:25:06.440-07:00

Here's a new rover movie showing Opportunity's drive along the edge of "The Bay of Toil," at Victoria Crater, Mars, on sols 1061 and 1066. This is captured using MMB2.0's panorama screenshot feature. It's different from other rover movies in that the view is in ground-relative perspective instead of rover-relative perspective. There are many more sequences of images that could be captured like

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-79717880292172886412007-04-01T18:23:00.000-07:002007-04-01T18:37:16.979-07:00

I've posted the fifth development version of MMB 2.0. This version includes:- "Update Software" feature: The Eclipse "Update Software" feature has been added: this will make it easier to get updates to the software from now on. Just select "Update Software" from the help menu and away you go. Of course you need to download this one last version the old fashioned way, to get the software update

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-74581623670808706732007-03-20T21:35:00.000-07:002007-03-20T21:43:21.291-07:00

I've posted a development release of Midnight Mars Browser 2.0. "Development Release" means it's a preview version and not feature-complete. It may have problems. This release is for folks who are already using MMB 1.x and want to take a walk on the wild side. You can go here and read the notices, if you dare.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-54816513626194387012007-03-02T16:22:00.000-08:002007-03-02T16:28:15.896-08:00

Well, sort of a vacation... more like work-related exile... Anyway, I will be away from MMBCentCom until next Thursday the eighth, so no metadata updates until then. But there's some fun stuff coming after that, so stay tuned.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1170220627635236252007-01-30T21:14:00.000-08:002007-01-30T21:17:07.683-08:00

No, Version 2.0 isn't done yet (and it's still kind of a tossup whether it ever will be), but if you're curious, you can see development screenshots here.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1169251466095608092007-01-19T16:01:00.000-08:002007-01-19T16:04:26.106-08:00

My heart longs to see this comet. It's now more or less exclusively visible in the Southern Hemisphere - certainly not visible from chilly Minnesota. Oh well.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1168707884078130542007-01-13T08:57:00.000-08:002007-01-13T09:08:57.816-08:00

There's been a pause in metadata updates for the last couple days while I upgrade to a new hardware at Midnight Mars Browser Central Command. I hope to be back up and running later today.However, I may not mess with brightness and de-vignetting adjustments for awhile, as a new problem has materialized. It seems that in newer versions of Java or Java 3D, the Panorama feature is rendering in "

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1167071922786805312006-12-25T10:35:00.000-08:002006-12-25T10:39:57.970-08:00

Here's a view from Opportunity looking southwest over "Bottomless Bay"

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1165505587411583672006-12-07T07:27:00.000-08:002006-12-07T07:33:07.413-08:00

And the big science news is the discovery of apparant water-related activity on the surface of Mars taking place within the last few years, which in geologic terms effectively means it's taking place now. This really is a startling discovery, one which was perhaps hoped for but which I'm not sure anyone seriously expected.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1165505071178293332006-12-07T07:23:00.001-08:002006-12-07T07:24:31.266-08:00

Scientific American article by Jim Bell - an compelling summary of the current thinking about the Red Planet.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1162745010099409972006-11-05T08:34:00.000-08:002006-11-05T08:54:39.196-08:00

Midnight Mars Browser version 1.5.2 fixes two Sol 1000 bugs. A "Sol 1000" or "S1K" bug is a glitch in a program where the program author figured that three digits ought to be plenty to hold the rover sol number, because surely the rovers couldn't survive for over 999 sols (Martian days). Today is Spirit's 1010th Martian day since she arrived on the Red Planet on January 3, 2004.Download the

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1161099244765739662006-10-17T08:32:00.000-07:002006-10-17T08:34:04.786-07:00

Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day was projected using MMB. Other contributors doctored the image and added the color.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1160321781501935542006-10-08T08:36:00.000-07:002006-10-08T08:36:21.513-07:00

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1160317500122677042006-10-08T07:23:00.000-07:002006-10-08T07:25:00.136-07:00

This is the location where Opportunity will be spending superior conjunction (when the Sun is between Mars and the Earth).

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1159459072840465672006-09-28T08:56:00.000-07:002006-09-28T08:57:52.860-07:00

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1159394454819883412006-09-27T14:59:00.000-07:002006-09-27T15:00:54.836-07:00

Version 1.5.1 of the Midnight Mars Browser software fixes the Export Pan feature to support Hugin, as an alternative to PTGui. The pan export Navcam FOV is also adjusted slightly.Download the latest version of Midnight Mars Browser

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1159310336719090882006-09-26T15:38:00.000-07:002006-09-26T15:38:56.743-07:00

More Pancams came down:

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1159304408236039832006-09-26T13:59:00.000-07:002006-09-26T14:00:08.260-07:00

About 25-50 meters from the edge now...

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1158786179622062332006-09-20T14:02:00.000-07:002006-09-20T14:02:59.656-07:00

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1158699730577068092006-09-19T14:01:00.000-07:002006-09-19T14:02:10.600-07:00

200x80 degree cylindrical projection from Opportunity Sol 934:

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1158696309767040812006-09-19T13:03:00.000-07:002006-09-19T13:05:09.783-07:00

We haven't arrived at the rim yet, but Victoria Crater is now, for the first time, plainly in view. I have to eat my earlier words about what we were seeing, apparantly.The next couple weeks should be very interesting, as they say...

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1158545865089752992006-09-17T19:03:00.000-07:002006-09-17T19:41:37.963-07:00

Version 1.5.0 of the Midnight Mars Browser software is now posted on the download page. The major addition to this version is support for PTGui (a software package for stitching panoramas on Windows). The "Export Pan Images and PTGui Project File..." menu option (under File->Advanced), formerly the "Export Pan Images..." option, now outputs a PTGui project file as well as the images from the

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1158542327323743372006-09-17T18:15:00.000-07:002006-09-17T18:18:47.340-07:00

Opportunity's visit to "Emma Dean" is stretching on a bit, for reasons that aren't entirely clear... At least the rover appears to be healthy and finally doing something. Perhaps this coming week we will see some real movement. In the meantime, here's a cylindrical projection of "Emma Dean" done using MMB and PTGui:

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1158005229133628322006-09-11T13:05:00.000-07:002006-09-11T13:07:09.153-07:00

Well, while we're waiting for our close-up with Victoria, here's part of "Emma Dean". False-color, obviously.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1157479562121247502006-09-05T10:58:00.000-07:002006-09-08T11:22:11.923-07:00

Victoria Crater is now plainly in sight on the horizon - indeed we are only about 100 meters from its nearest edge. The interesting thing, though, is that there is still a lot of debate about what we are seeing, at least in the rover-watching community. Consensus, for the moment, seems to have formed around the - incorrect, I would say - opinion that we are not truly seeing the inside of the far

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1156304394479091392006-08-22T20:39:00.000-07:002006-08-22T20:39:54.493-07:00

Added Spirit's "Everest" pan to the VR Experiment.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1156254161699783662006-08-22T06:37:00.000-07:002006-08-22T06:43:46.133-07:00

Here are a few screenshots from the MER VR Experiment using FSPViewer.I also added three positions after El Dorado.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1156219708399714602006-08-21T21:07:00.000-07:002006-08-21T21:08:28.413-07:00

Added Spirit's "Seminole", "Comanche" and "El Dorado" pans to the VR Project.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1156198274480365452006-08-21T15:10:00.000-07:002006-08-21T15:11:14.496-07:00

Added the Erebus Pan (Opportunity Sol 651-707) to the VR project.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1156194756098319962006-08-21T14:11:00.000-07:002006-08-21T14:12:36.116-07:00

Fixed the link to the Sol 285-295 (Burns Cliff) pan.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1156133125197585472006-08-20T21:03:00.000-07:002006-08-20T21:05:25.213-07:00

A fun little project to create a MER VR is here.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1155246418559417712006-08-10T14:46:00.000-07:002006-08-10T14:46:58.576-07:00

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1155146426605563062006-08-09T10:57:00.000-07:002006-08-09T11:00:26.663-07:00

A new PDS release means new radiometrically calibrated color images by Daniel Crotty, and this is a particularly good batch. I'll post some of the products from MMB using these images as I tinker with them."Comanche":"El Dorado":

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1154789730889245522006-08-05T07:54:00.000-07:002006-08-05T11:11:23.136-07:00

A view of "Beagle Crater". Quicktime VR version on the Opportunity page.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1154133173833061792006-07-28T17:28:00.000-07:002006-07-28T17:35:00.750-07:00

A couple more VRs here: Opportunity Quicktime VRsThe thing that's unfortunate is that I can't really do justice to the Pancam images in these VRs, because Java 3D isn't allowing me to exceed a certain size when I capture the images that make up the VRs. So the Pancam images in these come out maybe a third of the resolution they should be, if that. It's frustrating - otherwise it would be a neat

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1153840724008776832006-07-25T08:13:00.000-07:002006-07-26T17:35:36.616-07:00

I've been experimenting with Quicktime VR, and finally figured out an amazing simple way to create Quicktime VR movies from MMB panoramas. Here is an example: Edit: instead, go to the new page I set up.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1153431318343148922006-07-20T14:34:00.000-07:002006-07-20T14:35:57.943-07:00

Pancam drive-direction mosaic of Beagle Crater, Opportunity Sol 884.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1153363681887191262006-07-19T19:46:00.000-07:002006-07-20T13:37:05.970-07:00

Looks like dotMac HomePage is down, and also Flickr is down. No screenshots until Flickr is back up, and, more painfully, no metadata updates until dotMac is back up.Update: Looks like both are fixed now.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1153352599473110082006-07-19T16:39:00.000-07:002006-07-19T16:44:33.920-07:00

Since Flickr seems to have chosen this moment to have a major system crash, I'll try putting this new images on Blogger.Oh... it automatically sizes down the images. I guess that's why I don't use Blogger to host these.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1153077263822245672006-07-16T12:07:00.000-07:002006-07-16T12:54:48.386-07:00

Linked below is a movie of Opportunity's journey south from Erebus Crater so far, from Sol 758 to Sol 878. It is made up of 61 MMB Navcam panorama views, simulating a view from "above," facing South, as Opportunity travels torward Victoria Crater. The movie is in Quicktime format, 7.2Mb large. You may want to right-click and save it and play it in Quicktime Player, as the controls may be off the

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1152381405958462372006-07-08T10:54:00.000-07:002006-07-08T10:56:45.973-07:00

There is a nice little crater visible about half to two-thirds the way to the right in this mosaic. If you have the red-blue glasses, it's more easily distinguishable in the anaglyph version.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1152296426477766322006-07-07T11:17:00.000-07:002006-07-07T11:20:26.506-07:00

Looks like a bit of a barrier? Will be interesting to see which way they go. The mottled/hexagonal pattern on the soil to the south is interesting.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1152209746434744552006-07-06T11:09:00.000-07:002006-07-06T13:21:36.900-07:00

An Autostitched mosaic from Opportunity Sol 870, Pancam L2. At left is Beagle Crater. The boundary between the sea of drifts and the "apron" around Victoria Crater is clearly delineated and stretches to the right.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1152114225101350182006-07-05T08:40:00.000-07:002006-07-05T08:45:09.356-07:00

Almost there... Beagle crater is actually off to the left in this false-color image. It looks like we'll be checking out the strange debris field (or whatever it is) to the west of Beagle before we see the crater itself. The interest level should increase from here ... soon we should also get some idea of what is waiting for us *beyond* Beagle, like what the 'apron' around Victoria is going to be

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1151765852499884442006-07-01T07:55:00.000-07:002006-07-01T07:57:32.516-07:00

Sunset on Sol 864:

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1151694758452906682006-06-30T12:11:00.000-07:002006-06-30T12:12:38.466-07:00

Some tantalizing details of Victoria Crater are becoming visible on the horizon, as well...

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1151680192292638302006-06-30T08:08:00.000-07:002006-06-30T12:13:45.060-07:00

Opportunity's view of her tracks from back on Sol 842-843, in false-color.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1151425447518433202006-06-27T09:21:00.000-07:002006-06-27T09:24:07.540-07:00

Marscat now has a public weblog: Marscat's weblog. This is just personal stuff and interesting (to me) links, no Mars stuff per se. For those interested; caveat emptor etc.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1151419938728362362006-06-27T07:51:00.000-07:002006-06-27T07:52:18.770-07:00

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1151254709470799442006-06-25T09:55:00.000-07:002006-06-25T09:58:29.493-07:00

Finally had time to put together a new version of the software. This probably won't happen again for some time.Version 1.4.8 fixes the download from JPL, which was broken due to some kind of site change on their end. There also is a new checkbox to choose whether to scale up images to fill the screen in the Slideshow. Download the latest version of Midnight Mars Browser

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1150819919341138782006-06-20T09:11:00.000-07:002006-06-20T09:11:59.360-07:00

Looking forward to this book, coming in November apparantly:Postcards from Mars

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1149458145278401022006-06-04T14:53:00.000-07:002006-06-04T14:56:52.060-07:00

Check out Marscat's Vacation Photos. Be sure to go through in order and read the captions.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1148398800318992242006-05-23T08:38:00.000-07:002006-05-23T08:40:00.426-07:00

I will be away and computerless from May 28 through June 5, so there will be no metadata updates during that time. Everything will be updated when I get back.The MMB metadata is what allows MMB to show panoramas out of the raw images, and adjust the image brightnesses.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1148320679809075342006-05-22T10:56:00.000-07:002006-05-22T10:57:59.810-07:00

Taking a very short break from work:I had bet that Oppy would reach Victoria on Sol 820. Guess I missed by a bit...

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1148320253931113072006-05-22T10:49:00.000-07:002006-05-22T10:52:35.196-07:00

In case you're wondering: Yes, I'm aware that the auto-update from JPL is no longer working. They changed something on the site. I haven't had a chance to update MMB to work around the problem yet, but will eventually... or sooner, if Exploratorium stops working again. Fortunately for now, Exploratorium is chugging happily along releasing images.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1147035898420794422006-05-07T14:01:00.000-07:002006-05-22T10:47:34.940-07:00

The above panorama was made using both Daniel Crotty's callibrated color images and Navcam images, combined in MMB and projected finally using Autostitch. Many versions of the Burns Cliff mosaic have been produced but to my knowledge this one is unique in combining Pancam and Navcam images - at least I don't remember NASA releasing one like this. (Ed: I'm sure they have one; they probably just

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1146768068141708312006-05-04T11:36:00.000-07:002006-05-04T11:41:08.156-07:00

Here are some views from way back at Burns Cliff (Opportunity Sol 285-295) combining Daniel Crotty's callibrated color images with Navcam context images.Currently with Opportunity (Sol 809), Victoria Crater is just about in sight on the horizon, although still a long way away.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1146635731086353282006-05-02T22:53:00.000-07:002006-05-02T22:55:31.110-07:00

Midnight Mars Browser version 1.4.7 is up. This version fixes image generation so that generated images that become unused are cleaned up. Images can become unused when a better filter sequence becomes available or when the image generation preferences are changed. This version also includes other miscellaneous fixes.Download the latest version

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1146599836992946792006-05-02T12:54:00.000-07:002006-05-02T12:57:17.010-07:00

Daniel Crotty's callibrated color images have been updated for Sol 541 through 630, to correspond with the latest PDS release. Above is a view of Opportunity on Sol 569-670 using the callibrated color images in MMB; there are a bunch of other images at the flickr page.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1145731587623584692006-04-22T11:43:00.000-07:002006-04-22T11:46:27.636-07:00

My Flickr movie of Opportunity's drive south toward Victoria has been updated up to Sol 796 (the sol before yestersol). Here's a view of sunset on Sol 795, against a backrgound taken earlier in the day:

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1144939330355490922006-04-13T07:42:00.000-07:002006-04-13T20:02:27.656-07:00

I've updated the brightness-adjustment metadata for several recent sols.Spirit has arrived at "Low Ridge Haven," where she will probably now spend the winter in order to keep her solar panels tilted toward the sun.I hope she still moves around a bit during this time, if only because MMB panoramas are organized by location, and staying for too long in one place could cause problems I'll need to

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1144335681766885152006-04-06T07:59:00.000-07:002006-04-06T08:02:30.703-07:00

New Flickr slideshow/movie: Spirit Escapes the Salt Patch.Also, Spirit Sol 799-801 Navcam Pan and anaglyph version.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1143815710846309822006-03-31T06:35:00.000-08:002006-03-31T07:13:22.400-08:00

Here is a Flickr Slideshow of the turn that Spirit is currently executing. This is the first time I've tried a Flickr slideshow; it's kind of neat but I wish there was a way to view both the individual pictures and the slideshow as a whole at a larger size more easily. I also wish there was a "Blog Slideshow" button in Flickr.I'm not sure why Spirit is turning; I thought she was stuck and just

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1142733660406122072006-03-18T17:58:00.000-08:002006-03-18T18:01:00.426-08:00

Midnight Mars Browser version 1.4.6 fixes a couple bugs and makes a change to the de-vignetting feature introduced in the previous version.Download the latest version of Midnight Mars Browser

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1142378272604249942006-03-14T15:17:00.000-08:002006-03-14T15:17:52.796-08:00

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1142282749485603412006-03-13T12:40:00.000-08:002006-03-13T12:47:40.836-08:00

A couple people have asked about this already, so I better mention it: If you are getting a warning message when MMB starts up, you probably don't need to worry about it. A version or two ago I added this warning message to try to make sure people don't run multiple "instances" of MMB at the same time. Unfortunately it doesn't work very well, and the warning message doesn't explain things very

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1142054322070964722006-03-10T21:15:00.000-08:002006-03-10T21:18:42.090-08:00

Too neat not to post:You might see the cloud pictures elsewhere, but now you know where they fit into the local scenery. The view is facing directly South at Opportunity's current position.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1142042127736163222006-03-10T17:53:00.000-08:002006-03-10T17:55:27.753-08:00

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has safely entered orbit. Fantastic news.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1141875514374728472006-03-08T19:30:00.000-08:002006-03-08T20:16:32.010-08:00

Midnight Mars Browser version 1.4.5 has been posted. This version adds support for de-vignetting images displayed in Panorama mode. I've been posting images made using this feature on the Flickr page for several days now, such as this one:The feature is not perfect, but it helps to smooth out the joins between images.Some notes about this feature:The brightness and devignetting adjustments are

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1140825145061324312006-02-24T15:49:00.000-08:002006-02-24T15:52:25.063-08:00

Good news: Exploratorium appears to be working again, at least for the moment, so we get to see the up-to-the-minute latest Mars Rover images again. Such as the above.Other news: I think I'm going to just post images to the Flickr site for awhile, to save myself some time.Other good news: Midnight Mars Browser 1.4.4 is posted; see below.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1140824454143220652006-02-24T15:38:00.000-08:002006-02-24T15:40:54.196-08:00

Midnight Mars Browser version 1.4.4 has been posted. Here's what's new:In Panorama mode, the new "Edit -> Select Command Sequence Images" menu option selects the closest image to center and all other images in the panorama with the same command sequence code. Once an image or images are selected, they can be hid using the new "Navigate -> Hide Selected Images" menu option (to reveal any images

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1140795919594652852006-02-24T07:41:00.000-08:002006-02-24T07:46:34.043-08:00

Opportunity's first significant drive in ... what? Weeks, months. Very good news. Let's hope there's still lots of life in the old girl; there's much left to see.The rest of the Pancams should give us the best view yet of "Mogollon Rim," once they've come in.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1140743381602597722006-02-23T17:08:00.000-08:002006-02-23T17:09:41.626-08:00

Adjusted the false-color for the Gibson pan frames.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1140628218161719842006-02-22T09:10:00.000-08:002006-02-22T09:10:18.183-08:00

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1140577929033039782006-02-21T19:11:00.000-08:002006-02-21T19:12:09.076-08:00

Had a stab at evening out the false-color... so at least the image brightness are stretched more or less the same way.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1140573489992564912006-02-21T17:57:00.000-08:002006-02-21T17:58:10.040-08:00

I'll try to adjust the color later...

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1140376901955842332006-02-19T11:17:00.000-08:002006-02-19T11:21:41.976-08:00

Closeup of outcrop, Sol 746-750.View Eest on Sol 746-750 looking 20 degrees down relative to horizon.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1140310048892909632006-02-18T16:45:00.000-08:002006-02-18T16:47:28.910-08:00

Midnight Mars Browser 1.4.3 fixes some bugs, including a file handle leak that could cause problems when viewing many panoramas or images in sequence. Also the delete images option now properly deletes thumbnails. Download the latest version of Midnight Mars Browser

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512380.post-1140249129688151542006-02-17T23:47:00.000-08:002006-02-17T23:52:55.080-08:00

All the MMB pan metadata has been regenerated with data from the Pancam Tracking Database. Above, a 70 degree view of "El Dorado" in ground-relative perspective."Comanche""Seminole" view.There are a bunch of other nice new screenshots at the Flickr site.

Michael Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187370389344139308noreply@blogger.com