![]() Nonetheless, the 'Face on Mars' was the subject of widespread speculation on the possible origins and purpose of artificial structures on the Red Planet, with the face being the most talked-about formation. The human face on Mars from the Viking mission in 1976. ![]() One of these visible remnant massifs became famous as the 'Face on Mars' in an image taken on 25 July 1976 by the American Viking 1 Orbiter.Ī few days later, on 31 July 1976, a NASA press release said the formation "resembles a human head." However, NASA scientists had already correctly interpreted the image as an optical illusion caused by the illumination angle of the Sun, the formation's surface morphology and the resulting shadows, giving the impression of eyes, nose and mouth. This transition is characterized by wide, debris-filled valleys and isolated remnant mounds of various shapes and sizes. Neukum), Malin Space Science SystemsĬydonia is located in the Arabia Terra region on Mars and belongs to the transition zone between the southern highlands and the northern plains of Mars. Cydonia lies at approximately 40.75° North and 350.54° East. Image is based on data gathered over the Cydonia region, with a ground resolution of approximately 13.7 meters per pixel. Image recorded during orbits 32 by the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on board ESA's Mars Express. The massif became famous as the "Face on Mars" in a photo taken on July 25, 1976, by the American Viking 1 Orbiter. The massif is characterized by a western wall that has moved downslope as a coherent mass. The image shows a remnant massif thought to have formed via landslides and an early form of debris apron formation. "They not only provide a completely fresh and detailed view of an area famous to fans of space myths worldwide, but also provide an impressive close-up over an area of great interest for planetary geologists, and show once more the high capability of the Mars Express camera."Ī perspective view showing the so-called "Face on Mars" located in the Cydonia region. "These images of the Cydonia region on Mars are truly spectacular," said Dr Agustin Chicarro, ESA Mars Express Project Scientist. The data were gathered during orbit 3253 over the Cydonia region, with a ground resolution of approximately 13.7 metres per pixel. ESA's Mars Express has obtained images of the Cydonia region, site of the famous 'Face on Mars.' The High Resolution Stereo Camera photos include some of the most spectacular views of the Red Planet ever.Īfter multiple attempts to image the Cydonia region from April 2004 until July 2006 were frustrated by altitude and atmospheric dust and haze, the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on board Mars Express finally obtained, on 22 July, a series of images that show the famous 'face' on Mars in unprecedented detail.
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