Unique Teddy Bear Carved Face of Mars Detected by HiRISE
An image of a peculiar ‘teddy bear face’ in the surface of Mars has been captured on Monday by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. The High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) team of the University of Arizona processed this picture with the help of the powerful camera which has been orbiting Mars since 2006.
The 2,000-meter circumference face comprises of a hill which is collapsed in the form of a V (the snout), two craters (the eyes) and a fracture in the shape of a circle (the head). The scientists revealed that the circular fracture pattern could be due to deposit settlement on top of an underground impact crater. Furthermore, the nose region could possibly be a volcanic or mud vent.
The HiRISE instrument is utilized for taking super-detailed images of the planet and helps in mapping its surface for the future. In the past few years, the team from the University of Arizona have observed various interesting phenomena such as encountering avalanches in full swing and discovering a dark flow, which could be some kind of liquid. They have even seen whirlwinds moving along the surface, as well as what looks like an iconic Starfleet symbol from ‘Star Trek’!
Apart from discovering these unusual features, the HiRISE team has determined that January is the optimal month to observe planets such as Mercury and Venus, which can be seen shortly before the dawn. In addition, binoculars and some skill is necessary to discover these planets to appreciate the beauty that they offer!
Mars is most visible in the nighttime and glows red-orange and can be seen with the naked eye. Jupiter, with the help of binoculars, exhibits its fog banks and moons. The outermost planet, Neptune, is located in the Aquarius-Pisces region and requires sharp-lens binoculars and clear skies for its observation.
The detection of the ‘teddy bear face’ has spread a wave of enthusiasm across the globe and signifies the activity of our neighboring planet. With the latest technology, the HiRISE team is expecting to find more unique features on the Red Planet.
Author: Katrin Ewert
