NASA launched an updated web application Friday that lets people track the exact location of the Perseverance rover on its way to Mars and to even interact with it and other parts of our solar system.
The "Eyes on the Solar System" app uses trajectory data from the spacecraft to plot its course to Mars, NASA said. The app lets the user not only see how far the spacecraft is from Mars but also allows the user to fly in formation.
Rotating around the spacecraft can also allow the user to see where it is in relation to other planets, asteroids and spacecraft such as Voyager I, Voyager II and Pioneer 10. Clicking on one of those allows the user to zoom in on it.
"If you want to follow along with us on our journey, that's the place to be," said Fernando Abilleira, the mission design and navigation manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Perseverance is scheduled to land on Mars Feb. 18, 2021.
To look beyond our solar system, NASA also has an "Eyes on the Expolanets" app that allows users to explore worlds and stars light years away from Earth.
