Media Information

 
 
 
Collection:
NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day Collection
Title:
The Face on Mars
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 [ http://nssdc.gsfc.n…] 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. [ http://nssdc.gsfc.n…]

For a detailed discussion of the "Face on Mars" see Calvin J. Hamilton's Face on Mars page. [ http://www.c3.lanl.…]
Credit and Copyright:
NASA,Viking Project,
facet_when:
1976
facet_where:
Mars
facet_where:
Hamilton
facet_where:
Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)
facet_what:
Mars
facet_what:
Viking
facet_what:
Viking 1 Orbiter
facet_when_year:
1976
original url:
UID:
SPD-APOD-ap950722

The Face on Mars