Mars, 1950s telescope image. Dating from February 1956, this observation of Mars was obtained by the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, USA. At
Mars, 1950s telescope image. Dating from February 1956, this observation of Mars was obtained by the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, USA. At the time, Mars was in opposition and at its closest point to the Earth. This was one of the best ground-based images of Mars available before spacecraft missions to Mars and telescopes in Earth orbit improved the resolution and quality of the images. At upper right is the south polar ice cap (white). The darker area is Syrtis Major Planum. At centre right is the Hellas Planitia impact basin (round, yellow). Complete, detailed maps of Mars were obtained by the Mars Global Surveyor mission (1996-2006).
Size: 4961px × 3720px
Photo credit: © DETLEV VAN RAVENSWAAY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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