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> Mars: cydonia face

Mars: cydonia face

author: Nasa/Novapix

reference: a-mar04-00301

Image Size 300 DPI: 17 * 13 cm

The picture shows eroded mesa-like landforms.  The huge rock formation in the center, which resembles a human head, is formed by shadows giving the illusion of eyes, nose and mouth.  The feature is 1.5 kilometers (one mile) across, with the sun angle at approximately 20 degrees.  The speckled appearance of the image is due to bit errors, emphasized by enlargement of the photo.  The picture was taken by Viking 1 orbiter on July 25 from a range of 1873 kilometers (1162 miles). 

Keywords for this photo:

1976 - ASTRONOMY - BLACK AND WHITE - CYDONIA - FACE - MARS - PLANET - ROCK - SHADOW - VIKING - VIKING 1 -