Authors set out to explain mysterious faces of Mars

A NASA photograph from "The Cydonia Codex" compares the humanoid side of the Face on Mars (l) with the First Lord Mask from a temple at Cerros, Mexico.

Author and artist George J. Haas hopes his new book will offer readers a new perspective on our solar system's fourth planet from the sun.

Haas, of Jackson, is the co-author with Canadian geoscientist William R. Saunders of "The Cydonia Codex: Reflections from Mars," which is published by Frog Ltd. of Berkeley, Calif., and is distributed by North Atlantic Books.

The title of the book is a reference to the Cydonia region of Mars, where the image of a half-humanoid, half-feline face was first photographed by the Viking orbiter 30 years ago. A codex was the accordion-shaped folder the ancient Aztecs used as writing books, said Haas.

"The Cydonia Codex" represents the belief expressed by Haas and Saunders that the faces photographed on Mars contain evidence in their construction of similarities with ancient Earth Mesoamerican civilizations.

"I founded the Cydonia Institute in 1991 with a group of other researchers," Haas said. "We discuss perception, image fusion, random forms and image formation."

Born in Lakewood, Haas now lives with his wife and children in Jackson. However, through his telescope, Haas has long felt at home scanning the heavens.

"When I was in high school, my neighbor and I used to do some star gazing at about 1 a.m.," Haas recalled. "We looked at Saturn because of its rings."

These days, Haas looks toward Mars for inspiration. He hopes National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) scientists will in turn look to his book as preparation continues for a manned mission to Mars in the future.

"If NASA goes to Mars, I think they should go to Cydonia," he said. "NASA scientists wear blinders. They acknowledge the presence of water [on Mars], but nothing else."

Haas is hoping science buffs and science fiction fans eager to explore the possibility that intelligent life once existed on Mars will attend his book signing and PowerPoint presentation on Saturday, March 18, 1-4 p.m., at Barnes & Noble on Route 36 in West Long Branch. He will speak at Ocean County College on March 22. For more information, call (732) 255-0333.

The book is available for purchase online at the Web site www.northatlanticbooks.com and www.amazon.com and in Barnes & Noble bookstores.