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Cydonia - the face on Mars

21 September 2006

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A perspective view showing the so-called 'Face on Mars' located in the Cydonia region. The 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. The massif became famous as the 'Face on Mars' in a photo taken on 25 July 1976 by the American Viking 1 Orbiter.

Image recorded during orbits 3253 and 1216 by the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on board ESA's Mars Express. Image is based on data gathered over the Cydonia region, with a ground resolution of approximately 13.7 metres per pixel. Cydonia lies at approximately 40.75° North and 350.54° East.

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

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This map shows the region of Cydonia, lying at approximately 40.75° North and 350.54° East.

Cydonia 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. This transition, the 'dichotomy boundary,' is characterized by wide, debris-filled valleys and isolated remnant mounds of various shapes and sizes.

Credits: FU Berlin/MOLA

'Human face' first seen in 1976

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Original 'Face on Mars' image taken by NASA's Viking 1 orbiter, in grey scale, on 25 July 1976. Image shows a remnant massif located in the Cydonia region.

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.

Credits: NASA/JPL

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Colour image showing an overhead view of the Cydonia region. The image has a ground resolution of approximately 13.7 metres per pixel. Cydonia lies at approximately 40.75° North and 350.54° East.

Credits: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum)

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Grey scale image showing nadir view of the Cydonia region. The data were recorded during orbit 3253 and shows a ground resolution of approximately 13.7 metres per pixel. Cydonia lies at approximately 40.75° North and 350.54° East.

Credits: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum)

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HI-RES JPEG (Size: 1322 kb)

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A second perspective view showing the so-called 'Face on Mars' located in Cydonia region. The 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. The massif became famous known as the 'Face on Mars' in a photo taken on 25 July 1976 by the American Viking 1 Orbiter.

Image recorded during orbits 3253 and 1216 by the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on board ESA's Mars Express. Image is based on data were gathered over the Cydonia region, with a ground resolution of approximately 13.7 metres per pixel. Cydonia lies at approximately 40.75° North and 350.54° East.

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

'Skull-shaped' structure appears in some images

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'Skull-shaped' formation in Cydonia region

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A colour perspective view showing a naturally 'skull-shaped' formation located in Cydonia region. The image shows a remnant massif shaped - at least somewhat - like a skull.

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A perspective view showing a naturally 'skull-shaped' and several 'pyramid-shaped' formations located in the Cydonia region.

Image is based on data gathered over the Cydonia region, with a ground resolution of approximately 13.7 metres per pixel.

Credits: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum)

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