Planet surfaces

Just as we do for Earth, we can show the surfaces of other planets with digital terrain data and co-registered space-probe imagery. In this example, showing Olympus Mons on Mars, the imagery available was of limited resolution - fine for tv, but too blurred for large-format print use. We overcame this limitation by adding detail in the form of rock and sand texture from ground level photos taken at the edge of the Sahara Desert in North Africa.

Data source: Viking Orbiter imagery and digital terrain