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PIA00386: Example of Weathering And Sun Angle
Example of Weathering And Sun Angle
Target Name: Mars
Is a satellite of: Sol (our sun)
Mission: Viking
Spacecraft: Viking Lander 1
Instrument: Camera 1
Product Size: 662 samples x 512 lines
Produced By: JPL
Producer ID: P17154
Addition Date: 1996-12-12
Primary Data Set: Viking EDRs
Full-Res TIFF: PIA00386.tif (147.1 kB)
Full-Res JPEG: PIA00386.jpg (61.6 kB)

Click on the image to download a moderately sized image in JPEG format (possibly reduced in size from original).

Original Caption Released with Image:
The letter 'B' or perhaps the figure '8' appears to have been etched into the Mars rock at the left edge of this picture taken yesterday by the Viking 1 Lander. It is believed to be an illusion caused by weathering processes and the angle of the sun as it illuminated the scene for the spacecraft camera. The object at lower left is the housing containing the surface sampler scoop.
Image Credit:
NASA/JPL

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