What primary feature did the Mariner 4 flyby reveal about Mars in 1965?
Answer
A cratered, seemingly dead world bearing a striking resemblance to the Moon
The Mariner 4 mission, executing a flyby in 1965, provided humanity with the first close-up images of the Martian surface. The visual data transmitted back to Earth showed a landscape dominated by craters, leading to the immediate impression that the planet was geologically inactive and lifeless, bearing a strong resemblance to Earth's Moon. This revelation significantly dampened the widespread enthusiasm and speculation that had persisted for decades regarding visible Martian surface features or active life, serving as a major turning point against the preceding theories.
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