In collaboration with Microsoft, NASA has created the interactive Be a Martian website to allow online users to explore the Red Planet, Mars.

The new web site allows users to participate as citizen scientists to improve Martian maps, take part in research tasks, and assist Mars science teams studying data about the planet.

"We're at a point in history where everyone can be an explorer," Doug McCuistion, director of NASA's Mars Exploration Program, said in a statement.

Be a Martian offers games as well as access to hundreds of thousands of Mars images to web surfers eager to become Mars explorers.

"With so much data coming back from Mars missions that are accessible by all, exploring Mars has become a shared human endeavor," McCuistion said.

"People worldwide can expand the specialized efforts of a few hundred Mars mission team members and make authentic contributions of their own," he said.

Further information about the project is available at Be a Martian website.

NAT/MTM/AKM