After Hours

Photos: Zooming in on the 'Face on Mars'

By · September 24, 2006, 8:07 PM PST · billdetwiler

Image 1 of 8

  • In 1976, one of the first images from the Viking 1 spacecraft showed a formation in the Cydonia region of Mars that NASA said "resembled a human face." NASA scientists quickly interpreted the image as having been caused the angle of the Sun and resulting shadows. But that didn't stop claims that the "Face on Mars" proved there was intelligent life on the Red Planet.

    ESA's Mars Express equipped with it High Resolution Stero Camera recently revisted Mars most famous face.

    NASA/JPL

  • The High Resolution Stereo Camera on board ESA's Mars Express took this image of the region of the "Face on Mars." The "Face" is just below the center.

    The new camera will allow scientists to see unprecedented new details of the Red Planet.

    ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum)

  • Zooming in on the "Face on Mars."

    ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum)

  • The "Face" is show in gray scale similar to the Viking 1 photograph.

    ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum)

  • This image shows a remnant massif thought to have formed via landslides and an early form of debris apron formation. The massif is characterized by a western wall that has moved downslope as a coherent mass.

    ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum), MOC Malin Space Science Systems

  • The Cydonia area of Mars where the "Face" is located is in a transition zone between the Martian southern highlands and the northern plains. This region is characterized by wide, debris-filled valleys and isolated remnant mounds of various shapes and sizes.

    FU Berlin/MOLA

  • Another feature in the region resembles a skull.

    ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum)

  • A closer perspective of the "Face on Mars."

    ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum)

In 1976, one of the first images from the Viking 1 spacecraft showed a formation in the Cydonia region of Mars that NASA said "resembled a human face." NASA scientists quickly interpreted the image as having been caused the angle of the Sun and resulting shadows. But that didn't stop claims that the "Face on Mars" proved there was intelligent life on the Red Planet.

ESA's Mars Express equipped with it High Resolution Stero Camera recently revisted Mars most famous face.

NASA/JPL

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By Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler is Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, database administrator, and desktop support specialist in the ...

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