On November 28, 1659 Dutch astronomer Christiaan Huygens made an illustration of Mars that showed the distinct dark region now known as Syrtis Major Planum, and possibly also one of the polar ice caps.
Christiaan Huygens, FRS (14 April 1629 - 8 July 1695) was a prominent Dutch mathematician, astronomer, physicist and horologist. His work included early telescopic studies elucidating the nature of the rings of Saturn and the discovery of its moon Titan, the invention of the pendulum clock and other investigations in timekeeping, and studies of both optics and the centrifugal force. Read more
The first person to draw a map of Mars that displayed any terrain features was the Dutch astronomer Christiaan Huygens. On November 28, 1659 he made an illustration of Mars that showed the distinct dark region now known as Syrtis Major Planum, and possibly also one of the polar ice caps. Read more
Christiaan Huygens, one of the more significant physicists during the last three centuries along Isaac Newton, was born on the 14th April 1629 at The Hague.