NASA FACING MARS MYSTERY; PROBE TO SNAP SHOT OF `HEAD' FORMATION.Byline: Peter Hartlaub Daily News Staff Writer The Mars Global Surveyor The Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) was a US spacecraft developed by NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and launched November 1996. It began the United States's return to Mars after a 20-year absence. satellite will photograph the mysterious ``Face on Mars'' on Sunday, with images developing on Earth at the exact same time that ``The X-Files'' is airing. Just a coincidence? An unexplained phenomenon? It's one of many surrounding the Red Planet's Cydonia region, which could be home to a bunch of rocks or, as some UFO UFO: see unidentified flying objects. (United Functions and Objects) A programming language developed by John Sargeant at Manchester University, U.K. believers say, the sign of life forms intelligent enough to build the head-shaped monument. The government has been pressured to investigate the unsolved mystery since it was discovered by a Viking lander in 1976. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), civilian agency of the U.S. federal government with the mission of conducting research and developing operational programs in the areas of space exploration, artificial satellites (see satellite, artificial), says most scientists believe the features are ``of natural origin'' and that the ``face'' is caused by hills and shadows. But some in the ``truth-is-out-there'' crowd are convinced it's part of an ancient site of worship, brought to you by the makers of Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids The Pyramids of Egypt are among the largest constructions ever built[1] and constitute one of the most potent and enduring symbols of Ancient Egyptian civilization. Most were built during the Old and Middle Kingdom periods[2]. . With the Global Surveyor in prime position orbiting Mars, NASA NASA: see National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA in full National Aeronautics and Space Administration Independent U.S. agreed to take photos of Cydonia, stating that it is ``appropriate'' to resolve the speculation. Agoura Hills resident Diana Hunter, a member of Mutual UFO Network The Mutual UFO Network, or MUFON, is one of the oldest and largest UFO investigative organizations in the United States. MUFON was established as the Midwest UFO Network in Quincy, Illinois, on May 30, 1969, by Walter H. , thinks Cydonia hosts ``some sort of monument'' that may have been the launching pad for Earth's colonization colonization, extension of political and economic control over an area by a state whose nationals have occupied the area and usually possess organizational or technological superiority over the native population. . ``Some sort of message that we are not alone on this little Earth,'' she said. ``Perhaps we did come from Mars and somehow emigrated.'' The Global Surveyor will start taking close-up photos of Mars today and will try to retrieve images of Cydonia on Sunday morning Sunday Morning may refer to:
Viking photos that are ``enhanced'' by non-NASA astronomers litter dozens of ``Face on Mars'' Web sites. While most of those images look strikingly similar to a ``Star Wars'' storm trooper helmet, or a character from ``Planet of the Apes,'' NASA's pictures are less eerie, supporting the shadows-on-the-landscape theory. The Global Surveyor also will photograph both Viking landing sites today. The area where the Pathfinder rover touched down last year will be shot Saturday. Because of potential navigation difficulties, the Global Surveyor has less than a 50 percent chance of capturing each image, but it will make two more passes at each site before the end of April. Images will be posted at NASA's Web site: (http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/marsnews). CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO The Mars Global Surveyor satellite will photograph the Cydonia region of Mars, site of this Viking lander 1976 picture. Association Press |
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