First Color Image of the Viking Lander 2 Site

The first color picture taken by Viking 2 on the Martian surface shows a rocky reddish surface much like that seen by Viking 1 more than 4000 miles away. The planned location for the collection of soil for on-board analysis is seen in the lower part of the photo. The Lander s camera #2 is looking approximately to the northeast. The right edge of the picture is due east of the spacecraft. The sun is behind the camera in the Martian afternoon. As at Chryse Planitia where Viking 1 landed in July, the sky over Utopia is pink. Colors of the rocks and soil also are almost identical at the two landing sites. Because the spacecraft is tilted about 8 to the west, the horizon appears tilted. In fact, it is nearly level.