Mars Software for anyone to use

I do not care what people are saying about the Mars Rover. This stuff is great!

Did you know that you can now go to the NASA Rover site and anyone can download software to analyze the pictures sent back. The software package is called Maestro and it is really good. Sure, it is a little different. But it works. Just think, your kids can work with the data sent back from Mars. I showed Richard and he about passed out. He was looking around and was amazed.

The Maestro software currently has only two packages of data. Also, it runs on Linux, Sun, Windows 98/ME/2000/XP so nearly all the main OSs are covered.

At the time of this posting, the next data package is tentively scheduled to be posted on Friday the 16th (01/2004). I don't know who is more excited, Richard, William, or me?

You can also download software that is a little less complex called Mars24. It is a cross-platform Java program and browser applet which displays a Mars "sunclock". It is a great way to get the kids to figure out if it is day or night at the landing sites. This is neat too. The kids are now talking about what time of day it is on another planet. How incredible it that!

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