Help planetary scientists better understand Mars
With the help of Stargazing Live, 56,903 citizen scientists are exploring the surface of Mars like never before.
"We need your help to find and mark 'fans' and 'blotches' on the Martian surface. Scientists believe that these features indicate wind direction and speed. By tracking 'fans' and 'blotches' over the course of several Martian years to see how they form, evolve, disappear and reform, we can help planetary scientists better understand Mars' climate. We also hope to find out if these features form in the same spot each year and also learn how they change."
The human mind is better than computers at analyzing images with the complexity of the Martian surface. Participants' notations will be collected with those made by other volunteers. An average of these markings will produce an reliable map of the 'fan,' and 'blotch' features on the surface of Mars.
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