The Utopian Plain of Mars

Large format vintage chromogenic print on resin coated Kodak paper, 'This paper manufactured by Kodak' watermarks on the verso and NASA JPL caption affixed, ink annotation 'P-18296'. Color photograph of the Martian surface including parts of Viking 2 lander. [NASA caption on reverse] The boulder-strewn field of red rocks reaches to the horizon nearly two miles from Viking 2 on Mars' Utopian Plain. Scientists believe the colors of the Martian surface and sky in this photo represent their true colors. Fine particles of red dust have settled on spacecraft surfaces. The salmon color of the sky is caused by dust particles suspended in the atmosphere. Color calibration charts for the cameras are mounted at three locations on the spacecraft. Note the blue star field and red stripes of the flag. The circular structure at top is the high-gain antenna, pointed toward Earth. Viking 2 landed September 3,1976, some 4600 miles from its twin, Viking 1, which touched down on July 20.

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