ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Mars Beckons . . . .  Be there.

In January - April 2004, twin "robot geologists" are scheduled to
explore two very different sites on the Red Planet, searching for
evidence of past or present water to assess whether or not Mars ever
had the environmental conditions necessary to support microbial life.

The landing events will be broadcast on NASA TV and covered by major
news outlets.   In addtion, throughout the 90-day missions
(January-April 2004), museums, science centers, and planetaria will
have access to the latest images, videos, news, and plans through a
dedicated website, e-mail notifications, and professional development
opportunities for you, your staff, and your docents/volunteers. In
addition, you will have the opportunity to advertise events at your
organization on the public NASA Mars web page.

Your commitment will be to comply with all NASA/JPL processes
regarding release of news and images, and to tell us how you use the
images and information, including audience demographics.

The application deadline is Dec 19, and applications will be accepted
on a first-come, first-served basis. The sign up form is at
http://marsdata1.jpl.nasa.gov/muse/alliance/

Access to the dedicated website requires that  you identify the IP
address of the computer that will be used to access the dedicated
website.  Once you have submitted that, you will be given the URL of
the Mars Viz website and begin receiving e-mails from me (lucky you).

If you wish to receive the Mars images (jpegs) over the internet at
the same time that the science teams receive them,  you need to check
"Expanded" service on the signup form.   You will be sent a LIcense
Agreement form to sign to obtain free JPL-proprietary software that
will enable us to "push" the images to you.  When we receive the
signed form, you will be sent instructions on how to get the software
and how to install it.  It works on Linux, PC, and Mac platforms.
It is our hope that we will enable you to share the adventure of
exploring Mars with your audiences throughout the missions.

If you have questions about the IP address (for example, your
organization uses dynamic IP addresses), sign up on the form anyway
and  contact [log in to unmask]  If you choose "Expanded"
service, you may want to dedicate a machine (now or in the next few
weeks) to receiving those images, as the data volume could be as high
as 100 GB (two rovers, 90 day missions each).

If you have any questions, feel free to call or e-mail me.
On to Mars!
--Anita Sohus
[log in to unmask]
818-354-6613
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