Mars Global Surveyor first image of face in 1998 after 22-year gap since 1976

Mars Global Surveyor first image of face in 1998 after 22-year gap since 1976. Mars Global Surveyor first image of face in 1998 after 22-year gap since 1976 Mars Observer mission in 1993 went dead precisely at 6 PM before reaching Mars 1998 image taken during aerobraking process at oblique angle, compressed and out of proportion

NASA & ESA collaborated in 2007 using Mars Express data, but color imagery from Mars Global Surveyor was reportedly withheld from the 2001 release. NASA used wireframe models with images splashed on rather than actual shape from shading.

Key Facts

• Mars Global Surveyor first image of face in 1998 after 22-year gap since 1976
• Mars Observer mission in 1993 went dead precisely at 6 PM before reaching Mars
• 1998 image taken during aerobraking process at oblique angle, compressed and out of proportion
• Image called 'catbox' by Art Bell due to appearance
• 2001 full-on high resolution face image from Mars Global Surveyor released
• Face pupil is hexagonal with six sides
• Eye has rounded sculptural form with carved relief features
• Striations and crevices visible in processed images from raw data
• Surface shows carved relief, not sand or dunes

Source: The Shaman and the Philosopher - Mars Revealer by Institute for Natural Philosophy