Mars 3-D: A Rover's-Eye View of the Red Planet

by Jim Bell

What would it be like to visit Mars—to explore the distinctive, untouched terrain that inspired astronomers and stirred so many sci-fi writers’ imaginations? Two highly capable robotic geologists—Spirit and Opportunity—made that amazing voyage, and spent the last four years roaming the Red Planet’s unique landscape. Thanks to 120 stunning 3-D and color images shot by these rovers, we can come along—and right now, it’s the closest we can get to actually setting foot on Mars. These super-realistic pictures pop off the page, allowing us to see for ourselves the rocks, craters, valleys, and other geologic configurations that define the Martian terrain. Compelling and accessible text guides us on this exhilarating tour, revealing the thrill of each discovery, along with the perils and near misses. Featuring a fold-out flap with embedded 3-D viewer (which actually allows customers to view the three-dimensional images right in the store), it’s the perfect gift for any armchair astronomer.
 

"Jim Bell takes us on an extraordinary journey across often mysterious, sometimes perilous, and always fascinating Martian terrain. A must-read for anyone who's ever dreamed of exploring the Red Planet."
--Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11 astronaut
 
"See this other world like no one before you could. . . make discoveries that fiction writers only dream about!"
--Bill Nye, "The Science Guy," and member of the Mars team
 
"Bell has accomplished the impossible—he has brought the surface of Mars down to Earth."
--Neil deGrasse Tyson, Astrophysicist, American Museum of Natural history Author of The Pluto Files


 

"Experience Mars as never before . . . the next best thing to going there."
--Ann Druyan, co-writer COSMOS, co-creator, Contact
 
“These images transport us Earthlings to new depths of Martian discoveries.”
--Dava Sobel, author, Longitude and Galileo's Daughter

Genres: Space

160 pages, Hardcover

First published November 4, 2008

About the author

James (Jim) F. Bell III (born July 23, 1965) is a Professor of Astronomy at Arizona State University, specializing in the study of planetary geology, geochemistry and mineralogy using data obtained from telescopes and from various spacecraft missions.
Dr. Bell's active research has involved the NASA Mars Pathfinder, Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR), Comet Nucleus Tour (CONTOUR), 2001 Mars Odyssey, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, and the Mars Science Laboratory missions. His book Postcards from Mars includes many images taken by the Mars rovers. Dr. Bell is currently an editor of the space science journal Icarus and president of The Planetary Society.
He has served as the lead scientist in charge of the Panoramic camera (Pancam) color imaging system on Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity.

Reviews

[Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

AWESOME. Red-Blue glasses built into the cover to let you see the 3D images shot on the surface of Mars, also takes you inside the travels of the two rovers. highly recommend.

[Greg Koontz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick read but takes time to study the 3D pictures that come with it. You will send a lot of time amazed by them. The book comes with 3D glasses and an explanation of the pictures. The beginning of the book (first 35 pages) provides background on the mission, the people and their working life during the project.
The other 3 sections are on the pictures of the different rovers: Spirit, Opportunity and Curiosity.
Just looking at the pictures in 3D leaves you in awe and that alone is worth your time!

[Fred Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great guide to Mars with 3-d glasses. Gives you an up close view of the surface and lots of information.

[Timm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mars in 3-D!!

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of the 3D pictures where not layered correctly so all you end up with is a headache trying to look at them.

[Trey Nowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the 3-D effect and was informative about the geography of Mars. Jim Bell has a vast knowledge indeed, although the book was rather short.

[Mr. George The Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

i want more

[Richard Gombert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, but there are technical difficulties with the design.
difficult to hold the book/glasses and turn the pages. Creators did not think about people with glasses.
a few pictures 3-D effect did not work.