1982 04 00 OMNI - Mars Face

Magazine Overview

Title: OMNI
Issue: April 1982
Volume: 4
Publisher: OMNI PUBLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LTD
Country: USA
Price: $2.50

This issue of OMNI magazine, dated April 1982, presents a diverse range of speculative and scientific topics, with a prominent focus on the "Face on Mars" controversy. The cover teases articles on a youth-enhancing vitamin diet, the controversial "Face in Space," an exclusive with Robert Redford, the male pill, parachuting burgers, bacterial jeans, singing fish, and a look at Joan of Arc.

Face in Space: The Martian Enigma

The lead article, "Face in Space" by Vincent Dipietro and Gregory Molenaar, revisits the famous Viking Orbiter photograph of a Martian formation that resembles a human face. The authors detail their investigation, which began in 1977 when Dipietro first saw the image. They recount how they obtained the original Viking data tapes and used digital computer techniques, including their "Starburst Pixel Interleaving Technique" (SPIT), to enhance the image and overcome transmission errors. Their analysis, particularly of a second photo taken 35 days later under different conditions, reveals consistent features such as an "eyeball with a pupil," a hairline, and a "teardrop" under one eye. They argue that the formation's bilateral symmetry and detail are too sophisticated to be a natural occurrence, suggesting it indicates a highly intelligent force in nature if natural, or potentially artificial origin.

The article explores the possibility of past or present life on Mars, referencing the planet's potential for water and a thicker atmosphere in its ancient past. It notes discoveries of dried-up riverbeds and observations of what might be steam rising from a Martian volcano. The authors propose that future Mars exploration should involve orbiting satellites with much higher resolution cameras to detect details smaller than 150 feet, enabling the search for evidence of life and the identification of suitable colonization sites.

Communications: Letters to the Editor

The "Communications" section features several letters from readers:

• Tony Norden from Redbridge, England, expresses support for OMNI's stance against the "Moral Majority," viewing it as a threat to American intellectualism and its role in space exploration.
• Robert G. Mest from Tennessee Colony, Texas, notes that the theory of sounds being recorded on ancient artifacts, mentioned in a previous OMNI article, was also explored in Gregory Benford's science-fiction story "Time Shards."
• Steven Colnek from San Francisco, California, clarifies that a previous OMNI article on "Soft Ions" was not science fiction but factual.
• Wes Buller from Brookshire, Texas, points out that "Electro Ejaculators," a device for collecting semen from animals, have been in use by veterinarians for at least 25 years, predating the "MEGS" device mentioned in OMNI.
• Janina Leeds from San Francisco, California, discusses UFO sightings, referencing Dr. J. Allen Hynek and predicting peak sighting periods and geographical routes for potential encounters, including abductions.
• Timothy Theophilakos from Perth Amboy, New Jersey, criticizes Lieutenant Colonel Jim Channon's "First Earth Battalion" concept, deeming it a potentially dangerous paramilitary force that could impose its own nihilistic morals on the world.

Other Articles and Features

While the full content of other articles is not detailed in the provided scan, the cover headlines indicate a range of topics:

• The Vitamin Diet That Makes You Young: Suggests a focus on dietary approaches to anti-aging.
• Exclusive: Robert Redford on Getting "High" and Other Sobering Subjects: An interview with the actor, likely touching on his experiences and views.
• Plus: The Male Pill, Parachuting Burgers, Bacterial Jeans, Singing Fish, The Real Truth About Joan of Arc, Levitating New Games: These brief mentions hint at a variety of quirky, scientific, and historical features.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

OMNI magazine consistently explores the intersection of science, speculation, and the unexplained. This issue, like others, features articles that challenge conventional thinking, from the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence on Mars to the potential for scientific advancements in health and technology. The "Communications" section highlights reader engagement and diverse perspectives on current events and scientific theories. The magazine's editorial stance appears to favor open inquiry, scientific exploration, and a critical examination of societal trends and historical narratives, often with a speculative or futuristic outlook.