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Credit & Copyright: The Viking Project,
NASA
Explanation:
This image, showing what looks to be a
human face (above center)
and other features of the Cydonia region on the
Martian surface,
was produced using data from NASA's
Viking 1 orbiter in 1976.
Described in
a NASA press release as a
"rock formation which resembles a human head",
some have since offered the
extraordinary explanation that the face is an
artificial construct built by a civilization on
Mars!
However, most scientists have a more conventional view - that
this feature is indeed a natural Martian hill whose illusory
face-like appearance
depends on illumination and viewing angle.
This month, the Mars Global Surveyor satellite will be in position to
take new pictures of this region of controversial Martian
features along with areas around
the Mars Pathfinder
and
Viking landing sites.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Mars - face - surface
Publications with words: Mars - face - surface
See also:
- APOD: 2024 December 3 Á Ice Clouds over a Red Planet
- APOD: 2024 November 10 Á Valles Marineris: The Grand Canyon of Mars
- APOD: 2024 September 9 Á Mars: Moon, Craters, and Volcanos
- APOD: 2024 June 5 Á Shadow of a Martian Robot
- Ares 3 Landing Site: The Martian Revisited
- The Shadow of Ingenuity s Damaged Rotor Blade
- APOD: 2023 November 7 Á A Martian Dust Devil Spins By