search articles:     from the issue of April 8, 2004         Volunteer creates 3D images of Mars Because of the work by a volunteer at the Ralph Mueller Planetarium, visitors there can view processed 3D photographs of Mars from the Exploration Rovers. Mueller Planetarium at the University of Nebraska State Museum is one of some 110 museums and planetariums across the country that are part of the Mars Visualization Alliance, created by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s outreach offices to help these public facilities bring the Mars exploration to visitors. In many cases, images taken by the rover cameras are in right and left pairs, which can be processed into anaglyphs for viewing in three dimensions using red/cyan glasses. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has processed some images, but many haven’t been done yet because of the staggering amount of work to be accomplished with the still-operating rovers. Thanks to Mueller Planetarium volunteer Rick Johnson, however, planetarium visitors can view more than 60 anaglyphs in 3D that were not previously released in that format by JPL. Johnson used free image processing software on his home computing system to create the images, which were a hit with audiences across the country, according to Jack Dunn, coordinator of Mueller Planetarium, and JPL Informal Education Lead Anita Sohus, a Scottsbluff native. “Our objective is to get the images and information out to the museums and planetariums as soon as we get them, to allow each organization to do what they do best,” Sohus said. “The Mueller Planetarium got interested in making anaglyphs and is sharing them not only with their audiences but with the rest of the partners. Such sharing is what the alliance is all about.” Johnson’s 3D images are featured at Mueller Planetarium shows at 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through April. “Mars photos lack most of the features we use on Earth pictures to judge distance and size. Converting the images to 3D gives a better picture of what you are really seeing,” Johnson said. “I wanted to see what the landscape was really like and discovered it’s easy to make 3D images with free software available on the Net.” GO TO: ISSUE OF APRIL 8 NEWS HEADLINES FOR APRIL 8 Ritchie brings theories to life in the classroom Artist to install steel tree in garden Burnett heating test doesn’t save money Insect conference is April 16-17 in Lincoln Nature of Lewis, Clark is focus of symposium New Web site answers ag, food questions Rover engineer to speak at Astronomy Day event Unique plants can be found at Spring Affair Visit by Australian scholar to address autobiographies Volunteer creates 3D images of Mars 731679S33146X