[qbi_]

Breathtaking picture.

I'm surprised no one has yet generated 3D models from what we've received so far. Surely we could somehow algorithmically extract at least partial height information from the shadows? I gave it a quick try previously but to no avail.

Would anyone know how to start?

[anigbrowl]

You'd start with detailed information about the camera itself, to factor out aberrations related to the lens and the sensor. After that I'd imagine the most efficient approach would be differential feature mapping from multiple photos taking into account the known facts about trajectory, speed etc.

Conceptually it's simple, just very very intensive in terms of the amount of computation required...but well within the capabilities of NASA or even dedicated amateur researchers. As I understand it we are still slowly downloading pictures from the flyby and there is more to come (although it will be of lower resolution from here on out if NASA is releasing them in order of acquisition). Once the complete set has been compiled I imagine that creating a 3d model would be a high priority.

You could look into how Google did their Moon and Mars virtual environments, though I understand they also had the benefit of radar/lidar mapping data as well as optical.