the 'synoptic overview'
Yep, I agree with you, panoramae add a dimension (literally) of understanding that you don't get from individual frames...you see the forest instead of just trees, though I hesitate to talk that way about Mars. Mars keeps reminding me of Nevada, and that panorama gives me this subliminal sense of standing in the hot sunshine with a hot breeze blowing through my hair; 'course on Mars, the sunshine's half of Earth's, the temperature's around freezing, and your head would explode in the thin air! But hey, other than that, it's just like being there!