Caption of JPL Viking Press Release P-17384

NATIONAL  AERONAUTICS  AND  SPACE  ADMINISTRATION
VIKING  NEWS  CENTER
PASADENA,  CALIFORNIA
(213) 354-6000
							Viking 1-61
							P-17384 (35A72)
PHOTO CAPTION						July  31,  1976

This picture is one of many taken in the northern latitudes of Mars by
the Viking 1 Orbiter in search of a landing site for Viking 2.

The picture shows eroded mesa-like landforms.  The huge rock formation
in the center, which resembles a human head, is formed by shadows
giving the illusion of eyes, nose and mouth.  The feature is 1.5
kilometers (one mile) across, with the sun angle at approximately
20 degrees.  The speckled appearance of the image is due to bit errors,
emphasized by enlargement of the photo.  The picture was taken on July
25 from a range of 1873 kilometers (1162 miles).  Viking 2 will arrive
in Mars orbit next Saturday (August 7) with a landing scheduled for
early September.