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Credit & Copyright: NASA,Viking Project,
Explanation:
This image, showing what looks to be a human face
sculpted on the martian surface,
was produced using data from NASA's
Viking 1 orbiter in 1976.
Described in a press release as a "face-like hill"
it caused some to offer the sensational speculation that it
was an artificial construct built by an intelligent civilization on Mars!
As a result, this image was splashed across the covers of
many grocery store tabloids at the time.
A detailed analysis of multiple images of this feature
reveals a natural looking martian hill
whose illusory face-like appearance depends on viewing angle and
angle of illumination.
For more information about the picture see the NSSDC Photo Gallery of Mars.
For a detailed discussion of the "Face on Mars" see Calvin J. Hamilton's Face on Mars page.
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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
Publications with words: Mars - face
See also: