Southern Peru’s Nazca Lines, a series of geoglyphs (designs etched into the sand believed to have been created around 200 BC) depict animals and plants that given their size can only be viewed in full from the sky. The largest is a whopping 1.1 kilometres across.

Now, evidence has emerged of Melbourne’s own large-scale glyphs you can see from space (with the right technology that is). Jump onto Google Earth right now and you’ll see a series of giant penises carved into parks across Preston and Thornbury.

Reddit user u/adrianmtb found the first three penis glyphs at T W Blake Park in Preston. The largest of the three penises begins in the southern corner, extending past a cricket pitch and finishing in the middle of the park. It’s approximately 122 metres long by 20 metres at its widest.

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Further investigation by Broadsheet of surrounding parks revealed two more penis glyphs in Thornbury at Hayes Park, one measuring approximately 81 metres by eight metres, and the other three metres by five metres. And two at John Cain Memorial Park measuring approximately 94 metres by 16 metres, and 14 meters by six metres. Based on the consistent style of the glyphs they appear to be the work of the same person.

As with the Nazca lines, the Preston penises appear to have been drawn in one continuous line, starting with the upper side of the shaft and ending between the testicles. Although it’s hard to confirm which direction the artist intended the viewer to contemplate the image from, judging by the orientation of the shaft to the testicles in each glyph one can assume that the penises are erect.

A spokesperson for Darebin Council has told Broadsheet it’s believed the images were made at various times over the past summer.

“Darebin Council condemns this type of irresponsible vandalism on our parks and sportsgrounds. It is not a cheap joke – fixing the affected ovals is complex, costly and time-consuming,” Darebin Mayor Cr Susan Rennie said in statement provided to Broadsheet.

“Council is taking action to remove the graffiti, but it can take months for the grass to recover, during which time our community are left using sub-standard grounds which can be a safety hazard,” Cr Rennie continues. “Rectifying the issue also costs ratepayer funds, which could be better used elsewhere.

“We urge members of our community who are equally as disappointed in this behaviour to call the police if they suspect an act of vandalism is taking place.”

It’s been hypothesised the Nazca Lines correlated with where the sun and other celestial bodies rose on the horizon on significant dates. And Swiss writer Erich von Däniken suggested the lines were created by “ancient astronauts” in his book Chariots of the Gods?. At this stage it’s unknown if the Preston penises were created by a budding astronomer, phallic-ly fascinated extraterrestrial or a virile vandal.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.