THE SURFACE OF MARS, 1969; ONE OF FOUR MARTIAN PHOTOS
NASA [MARINER 7]
Important information about this lot
Price Realised GBP 126
Estimate
GBP 1,500 - GBP 2,500
Estimates do not reflect the final hammer price and do not include buyer's premium, any applicable taxes or artist's resale right. Please see the Conditions of Sale for full details.
Closed: 18 May 2022
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THE SURFACE OF MARS, 1969; ONE OF FOUR MARTIAN PHOTOS
[1] Mariner 7, frame 118 - Mariner 7 near encounter picture 25 is the first of a series of three wide-angle and one narrow-angle view of the Hellespontus and Hellas regions. The cratered region covering most of the picture to the west (right) is the dark Hellespontus. An apparent escarpment to the east forms the boundary of the light region Hellas. The area covered by this wide-angle frame is approximately 450 by 600 statute miles. The picture was taken using a blue filter. Large scale variations in surface brightness have been suppressed by the camera system and will be restored by computer processing of the data. The TV experiment team is headed by R.B. Leighton of Caltech. From NASA caption.
[2] This photo was taken on July 25, 1976, by the first Viking Orbiter 1 of Phobos showing the cratered side of the Mars satellite that was not viewed by the Mariner 9. North is at the top of the picture and at the lower left of the image is the side of Phobos that always points towards Mars. The large crater near the North pole is approximately 5 kilometres (3 miles) across. The diameter of Phobos viewed from this angle is about 22 kilometres (14 miles). From NASA caption.
[3] Mariner 6 – 72 - This narrow-angle photograph lies within one of the bright areas of Mars (Deucalionis Regio) and shows in greater detail part of the larger region covered by wide-angle photos 19 and 21. The sharp outlines and apparent freshness of many of the craters on this photograph are particularly striking. However, near the centre-left margin are faint outlines of an older and larger crater with suggestions of a double concentric form which is seen in some craters on the backside of the moon. On the original photo copy, many well-formed, very small craters not much more than 1000 feet across are visible. It is reasonable inference that a still greater number of even smaller craters pock the surface of Mars. The fresh crater, less than 3 miles in diameter, above the centre of this picture, lies in the midst of irregular bumpy terrain which may represent sheets of rocky debris thrown out of this and neighbouring craters or perhaps some nearby still larger crater not visible on this photo. Similar bumpy terrain occurs in the upper right corner, and around some of the other craters. Faintly discernible and running roughly northward through the right side of this photo is an irregularly sinuous ridge strongly reminiscent of “crinkle ridges” seen on the lunar surface. The sun angle for this photo is relatively low (late afternoon on Mars) and the dark areas inside some of the sharp fresh craters are almost certainly shadows. This is strongly suggested by the kidney shape of the darkest area within the largest of the fresh craters toward top of photo. If this initial interpretation stands up, these will be the first definitely recognised shadows cast by topographic features on Mars. From NASA caption.
[4] Mariner 9 – Mountain near Nodus Gordii (the Gordian Knot). This seventy-five mile diameter Martian crater near Nodus Gordii was photographed by Mariner 9 on November 28. The crater and its immediate surrounding are high ground, emerging island-like from a sea of wind-blown dust. In pictures taken 48 hours later, the edge of the dust cloud had shifted, obscuring the ridges and valleys on the outer northwest rim. Whether the pictures show a smooth crater floor or obscuring wind-blown dust remains to be learned. The multiple concentric fractures on the western rim and the abundant rimless craterlets suggest that this is a caldera or volcanic collapse crater, one equal in size to the largest on the Earth or on the Moon. From NASA caption.
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Condition report
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.
The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.
[1] Overall very good condition with signs commensurate with age, noting slight indentations in the surface of the recto that are only seen in raking light. There is erratum on the margin, likely not to be seen once framed. The verso is in excellent condition.
[2] Overall good condition with signs commensurate with age. The recto has noticeable indentations and previously folded edges but otherwise in good condition. The verso has one sticker on the top right side with erratum and three further areas where labels have previously been and left staining. There is one large section of erratum at the bottom and the NASA MSC caption is off-centre and partially not printed as a result, however it is still legible.
[3] Overall very good condition with signs in keeping with the age of the photograph, noting minor indentations, erratum and a slight tear in the margin on the recto. However, these are likely not to be seen once framed. The verso is in very good condition also, with one surface tear synonymous with a sticker or label being removed but this does not affect the legibility of the NASA MSC caption.
[4] Overall in excellent condition. The recto has very small indentations only seen in raking light and a slight hole in the margin which is likely.
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Lot 83Sale 21255
NASA [MARINER 7]THE SURFACE OF MARS, 1969; ONE OF FOUR MARTIAN PHOTOSEstimate: GBP 1,500 - 2,500
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