While working on our on-board video processing pipeline we reached a point where we needed a test video that would be representative of a mooncast for the Google Lunar X PRIZE. Using a regular video is not the best solution here because a mooncast has a different motion and color profile and these parameters can have great influence on the efficiency of the compression algorithms.
Therefore, we took some Apollo 17 surface photos from EVA 2 Station 4 (Shorty crater) and created a simulated mooncast consisting of a 360 degree pan. To make it a bit more entertaining we added some original voice recordings from the EVA.
The simulation uses stereographic projection, which allows panning and zooming in all directions. The vertical field of view is 60 degrees. The flickering of the small stones is an artifact of the projection algorithm and not the video compression. We will have to improve that.
No, we didn't use that. First, it is quite obvious that the projections are different. Ours uses stereographic projection while panomaras.dk seems to be perspective (gnomonic) projection. Second, if you look at the part showing Shorty crater you'll see that our video shows more of the crater than what is available on panoramas.dk, or on the panorama at LPI.
Despite these differences, if you manage to capture 1280x720 pixels 30fps video with smooth scrolling using the method you describe I'll be more than impressed!
Anyway, the point was not to make the video but to have the video in order to test HD video processing pipelines using a representative video. Efficient compression of HD video in real time requires a lot of processing power.
I think quality is good and panning rate right. At first I though panning was a bit slow, but when image quality is good it takes some time to explore and appreciate available detail.
Apollo astronauts reported that only planets and a handful of bright stars are easily visible in the lunar sky.
"Faaantastic, sports fans!" Good job, guys! I think the panning was just about right. Did you notice what appeared to be a star at the beginning of the video (left hand side of screen)?
Thanks. Yes, there are stars in the sky and you can see even more of them in the HD-version on youtube. Needless to say, I've never been on the Moon so I can't tell for sure, but I would expect some bright stars to be visible during daytime. Theoretically, they should be visible, right?
What about submitting the video to LPOD?
You may consider submitting the video to Lunar Photo of the Day
??
I don't get it. Did you go to the Apollo panoramas website and do a screen capture video of it panning around?
http://www.panoramas.dk/moon/mission-apollo.html
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No, we didn't use that.
No, we didn't use that. First, it is quite obvious that the projections are different. Ours uses stereographic projection while panomaras.dk seems to be perspective (gnomonic) projection. Second, if you look at the part showing Shorty crater you'll see that our video shows more of the crater than what is available on panoramas.dk, or on the panorama at LPI.
Despite these differences, if you manage to capture 1280x720 pixels 30fps video with smooth scrolling using the method you describe I'll be more than impressed!
Anyway, the point was not to make the video but to have the video in order to test HD video processing pipelines using a representative video. Efficient compression of HD video in real time requires a lot of processing power.
Quality, panning, stars in lunar sky
I think quality is good and panning rate right. At first I though panning was a bit slow, but when image quality is good it takes some time to explore and appreciate available detail.
Apollo astronauts reported that only planets and a handful of bright stars are easily visible in the lunar sky.
fantastic video
Great job guys. This is really a cool video. One of the best i've seen so far in this competition (just wait until we see the real thing ;)
Mooncast
"Faaantastic, sports fans!" Good job, guys! I think the panning was just about right. Did you notice what appeared to be a star at the beginning of the video (left hand side of screen)?
Thanks. Yes, there are stars
Thanks. Yes, there are stars in the sky and you can see even more of them in the HD-version on youtube. Needless to say, I've never been on the Moon so I can't tell for sure, but I would expect some bright stars to be visible during daytime. Theoretically, they should be visible, right?