Back in 1979, scientists at Stanford University created a 3-D movie from images sent back by the Viking landers on Mars. It was rather novel in that, while 3-D movies had been around since the 1950’s — mostly for low-budget B movies in theaters — this stereographic film was more scientific in nature, but was created for the public to learn more about the Viking mission and Mars, providing a “you are there” experience. It was created using 16mm film, which degrades over time. Considering the unique historical and scientific value of this film, a group from NASA’s Ames Research Center have constructed a new remastered digital version, made from the original 16mm film footage, sound reels, and related documentation.
Plans are underway to hold screenings of this new version of Mars in 3-D in Digital Cinema 3-D format. But in the meantime you can watch it now online in a digital anaglyph version, best viewed with red-cyan 3-D glasses.
Read more about the remastering process and read original papers from the imaging team from Viking at the Ames History Office website.
Recent Posts
Solar Orbiter’s Pictures of the Sun are Every Bit as Dramatic as You Were Hoping
On March 26th, the ESA's Solar Orbiter made its closest approach to the Sun so…
Update on the Potential May 31st tau Herculid Meteor Storm
If skies are clear, be sure to watch for a potential meteor outburst early next…
The Moon’s Ancient Volcanoes Could Have Created Ice Sheets Dozens of Meters Thick
Everyone loves looking at the Moon, especially through a telescope. To see those dark and…
Spacesuits are Leaking Water and NASA is Holding off any Spacewalks Until They can Solve the Problem
NASA's spacesuits are getting old. The extra-vehicular mobility units - EMUs for short - were…
Starliner Launches Successfully, but Two of its Thrusters Failed
Boeing's CST-100 Starliner successfully launched and rendezvoused with the ISS, a crucial step towards performing…
NASA is Building a Mission That Will Refuel and Repair Satellites in Orbit
NASA is planning a mission to demonstrate the ability to repair and upgrade satellites in…