Colour-enhanced 'fish-eye' view of Mars. Mosaic of images made by the Viking Orbiter, in the region of Syrtis Major Planitia. This point perspective i

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Colour-enhanced 'fish-eye' view of Mars. Mosaic of images made by the Viking Orbiter, in the region of Syrtis Major Planitia. This point perspective image simulates a 'fish-eye' lens view from a spacecraft about 2500 km above the surface, and covers an area of about 60 degrees latitude by 60 degrees longitude. Syrtis Major Planitia is the large dark area at right. This dark material is thought to have originated in eruptions from ancient shield volcanoes. The lighter mottling, especially toward the lower edge of the region, indicates dust and sand deposits from the action of the Martian wind. At bottom is the white carbon dioxide frost-covered Hellas impact basin.

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Size: 3091px × 3661px
Photo credit: © US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: astronomy, cosmology, imagery, major, mars, mosaic, perspective, planet, planetary, point, science, syrtis, viking