Mars Society Oregon Mars Society - Oregon Chapter
MDRS In Stereo
26 December, 2001: East of Hanksville, Utah in the Bentonite Hills - 38º 24' 38" north - 110º 47' 50" west

Mars Desert Research Station
Image Copyright © 2002 by R.D. Frederick

A stereo-pair image contains two views of a scene side by side. One of the views is intended for the left eye and the other for the right eye. These images are sometimes viewed with special equipment, such as a ViewMaster® or Stereopticon to direct each eye on to its intended target, but they can also be viewed without equipment.

Cross-eyed stereo-pair images:
In a cross-eyed image, the view for the left eye is positioned on the right. The image is viewed by deliberately crossing one's eyes until the two images come together. It is difficult to explain how to do this, but one possible way is this:

Cross-Eyed 3-D Cross-Eyed 3-D Cross-Eyed 3-D Cross-Eyed 3-D
Step 1. Step 2. Step 3. Step 4.

Look at the image, (Step 1), and slowly bring your eyes out of focus. This causes the image pair to shift, (Step 2), since usually your eyes will cross as they go out of focus. You will see two fuzzy, out-of-focus image pairs. Slowly bring the image back into focus and watch as the images move towards each other. When the pair overlaps each other, (Step 3), it will look like three fuzzy images. Concentrate on the center image and try and bring it into focus without the images moving back together, (Step 4). If you succeed, you will see a center image in 3-D!

Another method is to hold a finger a short distance in front of your eyes and stare at it. In the background you should see two copies of the stereo pair, giving four views altogether. Move your finger away from you until you see the middle two of the four images come together. You should now see just three images in the background. Try to direct your attention slowly toward the middle image without moving your eyes, and it should gradually come into focus.


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