Is there a virtual Mars in our future? http://cosmiclog.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/01/13060764-is-there-a-virtual-mars-in-our-future?liteCosmic Log's Alan Boyle and George Djorgovski discuss challenges, oppotunities and value of virtual worlds in the sciences, with particular emphasis on the Second Life platform.Djorgovski is Professor of Astronomy; Co-Director of the Center for Advanced Computing Research at Caltech; Director of the Meta-Institute for Computational Astrophysics; a founder of the Virtual Observatory concept; and one-time Chair of the US Nat'l Virtual Observatory Science Definition Team.His e-Scientific interests include definition and development of the universal methodology, tools, and frameworks for data-intensive and computationally-enabled science. His astrophysical interests include digital sky surveys, exploration of observable parameter spaces, formation and early evolution of quasars, galaxies, and other cosmic structures.