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For possible updates (11-2001). /id15.html

Face on Mars. Critique.

For possible updates (11-2001). /id15.html

Here we present latest decoding: the tilt of FM relative to martian meridian represents 'obliquity' or tilt of martian axis relative to its solar orbit. This with intrinsic artistic tilt of F. Sacra represents ice-ages on Mars.

In this composition below we use the 'negative' of a F. Sacra which was orthorectified (in positive) by Dr. Carlotto. There is no certainty about angles in there due to very poor caption (fog, rotated MGS, etc.). However the
estimated value of some 9 or 10 deg. tilt of the 'artistic axis' of the Face (wrapped in blankets) relative to main axis of FM, can be taken as very close to fact. It seems that in the original strip of the partial view (image M16-00184) an error was madc regarding the tilt of the MGS track over map-projected Cydonia: such strip has to be rotated NOT 25 but nearly 34 deg. to put such partial Face in upright position. That is in contrast with the very good map-projected image at noon (Osculans & Ferox) which has to be rotated the exactly expected angle of 24 or 25 deg. Note that the orientation of F. Ferox is along the central symmetry axis which, by definition, is exactly parallel to the western edge of F. Osculans. Thus all FOUR image-frames of FM have the same global orientation, namely, 25 degrees with error less than 1 degree. See our 2nd composition below.

Study of angle-tilt of FM relative to meridian.


&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&. A 2nd. composition using exclusively insets (or portions) from Website of Dr. Malin. Since this author is mainly responsible for manipulation of raw data up to the final images of the Face as released, it is up to him to make the proper map-projected views of any MOC caption. We found that indeed his work is complete and totally consistent in that regard. See below. It is crystal clear from above images that orientation of global axis of FM is sharply defined as (25 +/- 1)degrees relative to merdian with perfect consistency in all final images so far published. The slight decrease of such global FM axis is only present in F. Sacra: an amount of some (8 +/- 2) degrees. Therefore the interpretation of FM representing the long range 'obliquity' of martian axis is very valid since astrophysical results by Ward give precisely 24.9 deg. for 'average obliquity' and some 25 - 8 = 17 degrees for the minimal 'obliquity' when martian ice-ages are at their peak (with periodicity of some 1.3 million years).