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  • MIA001: The Face on Mars

maa-001-face-on-mars-hirise_edited.jpg

MIA001: The Face on Mars

 

IMAGE DETAILS

Mars Report Ref: MIA001

Report Date: July-August 2017

Research Status: Open - Possible building/monument

Description: The Face on Mars
Approximate size:  2.75 x 2 km

Mission images/dates: Viking Orbiter 1976, MGS 2001, Mars Express 2006, MRO/HiRISE 2007
Location: Cydonia Mensae

Found by: Tobias Owen

Image credits: (See image captions)

Graphics/image editing: M. J. Craig

Image sources: (See image captions)
OBSERVATIONS

This feature and its resemblance to a humanoid face, looks much less so the closer we get to it and for this reason is dismissed by geologists as just another eroded mesa. However, if this were indeed a monument, then the intention may have been for it to be viewed from afar, perhaps from a higher altitude, instead of  close-up. Also, if we are to seriously consider potential sites of former habitation on Mars, then we should factor in perhaps some many thousands of years of erosion, sediment and possible damage when viewing potential structures. Regarding possible facial features, if the 'mouth' and 'eye socket'on the left side  were mirrored on the right, then the case for an artificial structure would be significant. However, the right side is obscured by material, making it difficult to assess if any further symmetry exists.

​POTENTIAL FOR AN ARTIFICIAL STRUCTURE

A large degree of both curved symmetry to the north and south and parallel symmetry running east and west. Possible facial features located relative to a human face, and which rise from an indicated platform. These elements may suggest a monument or building, carved or engineered from the rock.

COMMON EXPLANATION

Mesa formed by geological erosion.

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MIA001.1 Face on Mars - MRO/HiRISE 2007

Image credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona

Image source: https://hirise-pds.lpl.arizona.edu/PDS/EXTRAS/RDR/PSP/ORB_003200_003299/PSP_003234_2210/PSP_003234_2210_RED.abrowse.jpg

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MIA001.2 Face on Mars - Perspectives - Mars Express 2006
Note: Images 4 and 5 are not camera pictures, but computer simulations showing some exaggeration with the height.
Image credits: (1 - 3) ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G Neukum); (4 - 5) ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G Neukum), MOC (Malin Space Science Systems); CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
Image sources:
(1) http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2006/09/Face_on_Mars_in_Cydonia_region_perspective2
(2-3) https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2006/09/Cydonia_region_colour_image2
(4) http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2006/09/Face_on_Mars_in_Cydonia_region
(5) http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2006/09/Face_on_Mars_in_Cydonia_region_perspective
 

MIA001.3 Face on Mars - MGS 2001

Image credit: NASA/JPL/MSSS

Image source: http://www.msss.com/mars_images/moc/extended_may2001/face/face_E03-00824_proc.gif

MIA001.4 Face on Mars - Features - MGS 2001

Image credit: NASA/JPL/MSSS
Image source:  http://www.msss.com/mars_images/moc/extended_may2001/face/face_E03-00824_proc.gif

MIA001.5 Face on Mars - First two pictures - Viking Orbiter 1976

Original image credit: NASA/JPL

Image enhancement: Mark J. Carlotto

Image sources: (NASA/JPL)

http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA01141

(Carlotto): http://carlotto.us/martianenigmas/Articles/vikFace/vikface.shtml

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