This remarkable "artifact-within the-artifact" is clearly discernable in the Opportunity Rover image. Of particular interest to this researcher is the mystery of what lies beneath the unique point designated by the single bead of hematite embedded in TMA-1? What does this signify and why is our attention being drawn to that region?

The first thing to find out was "What is that region called?" The most important question is "What's there?"

When we first compared the single hematite bead's position as seen in "TMA-1" with the Mariner 9 photo map, the precise position of the single hematite bead called our attention to a unique and remarkable complex of intertwining cliffs and canyons at the western terminus of Valles Marinaris called "Noctis Labyrinthus" or "The Labyrinth of Night." Unlike the hundreds of thousands of randomly scattered "Marsberries" found all around the Eagle Crater site, this one, single bead of hematite appears to have been intentionally "set," embedded like a jewel, sunken halfway, in the northwest the rim of TMA-1, designating a point, adjacent to steep slopes near the region called "Syria."

The most important aspect of this discovery and observation is that the single bead of hematite, set upon the region of "Noctis Labyrinthus," now provides the world with a focal point for future Mars exploration and designates a primary landing site for a manned mission to the Red Planet.

Detailed satellite photo of Noctis Labyrinthus.
Note the fog formations emanating from the labyrinth of canyons and the collection of complete ground fog formations to be seen aggregating in the upper right quadrant.

"Eyeballing" Altitude: A Martian POV?

TMA-1: A Point of View from Mars Orbit

I have attempted to determine the altitude of the POV (Point of View) of the designers of TMA-1 from orbit over "Sinai" and "Thaumasia," a southern equatorial region of Mars. In roughly estimating the altitude above the planet of the POV ("Eyeballing" one might say) the author employed basic geometry with a known distance and the perspective of the object (the rate at which the planet's curvature falls away).

To determine the altitude of the POV, I used the average scope of human vision (subtending an angle of 110-120 degrees including peripheral field) and the known diameter of Mars with the curvature of the surface "falling away" to the limb of the planet (4200 miles) as depicted in TMA-1. Using the angle of 120 degrees, I calculated the approximate altitude of the POV using the Pythagorean theorem for a 90-60-30 right triangle. With an apex angle of 120 degrees, half of which is 60 degrees, and using half the diameter of Mars as the base of the 30-60-90 degree triangle, 2100 miles, according to the FOIL formula from basic geometry, we derive:

"X - The Unknown"

Solving for X, we arrive at:

60 degrees : 2100 Miles. 30 degrees : X Miles

(30* x 2100) 63,000 miles divided by 60 X = 1050 miles.

Thus, the approximate altitude of the point of view of TMA-1, above Solis Lacus, the most salient topographical characteristic of the planet, known as "The Eye of Mars," would be 1050 miles. This unique Martian point of view, seen from orbit over the hematite bead (designating "The Labyrinth of Night") is near 19.5 degrees south latitude above the southern hemisphere of Mars.

The implications of this "Martian Point of View" are enormous for science, religion, mythology and Mankind. For we may infer that if the manufacturers of TMA-1 had a "point of view" at all, then those who made TMA-1 were capable of space flight and must have had eyes in order to behold The Red Planet from orbit. Therefore, this artifact was made for eyes that see the world like ours see.

Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) Image depicts the region of Ophir and Candor Chasmata, showing Ceti Mensa (quasi-triangular mesa, lower left) where other Martian mysteries yet remain to be "uncovered."

Next week Part IV - The Conclusion.

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