National Aeronautics and Space Administration

High-resolution photo of the Martian surface near the Viking Lander 2 shows a few square yards at one of the possible spots for acquiring a soil sample.

This picture is one of many taken in the northern latitudes of Mars by the Viking 1 Orbiter in search of a landing site for Viking 2.

Cross on this photo taken by Viking 1 indicates the aiming point for the landing on the surface of Mars.

White lines which appear to be painted on the Martian surface represent the first high resolution map of the Viking 1 landing site constructed from Lander camera images.

First panoramic view by Viking 1 from the surface of Mars. Note: top photo forms left half of panoramic view, bottom photo should abut top photo for complete panorama.

Viking 1 photographed the crater Yuty, located near the spacecraft's potential landing site on Mars.

While the Viking 1 continues its analysis of the Martian surface, its companion ship, the Viking Orbiter, continues to obtain more startling pictures of the planet. This montage of four photos shows one of the volcanoes in the Tharsis region near the equator.

This image shows the trench excavated by Viking 1 surface sampler on Mars.

United States of America flag shown on the housing of Viking 1's nuclear power system on the surface of Mars.

Viking 1 took this high-resolution picture of the surface of Mars.