Mars Rover's latest find ignites debate over 'face' rock
An extraordinary object has been found in the sand on Mars. Upon closer examination, it appears to resemble a "human face." What could it be?
5:07 PM EDT, October 21, 2024
On Mars, NASA's Perseverance rover discovered an object that looks remarkably like a sunburnt human face. The photo, taken in September, shows a sandy formation with distinct features such as a large eyebrow arch, nostrils, and a tilted mouth. Although it may resemble the remains of a decapitated head, in reality, it is a rock.
According to "The Sun," experts suggest that this unusual formation is another piece of sedimentary sandstone, a remnant of the planet's water-rich past.
Unusual rock on Mars
The rock's shape indicates that it was subjected to water erosion when rivers once flowed on the surface of Mars about 3.8 billion years ago. This phenomenon, sparking both controversy and interest, can be described as pareidolia—the psychological phenomenon of seeing human facial features in inanimate or lifeless objects.
It's worth remembering that in 1976, a similar occurrence led to the famous photo known as the "Face on Mars," captured by the American Viking 1 orbiter. At that time, NASA stated that one of the Martian formations in the Cydonia region "resembles a human head."
It turned out to be just an optical illusion caused by the way sunlight shines on formations, creating shadows that mimic eyes and a mouth. This phenomenon shows how easily our minds can interpret random shapes in a way that feels familiar, leading to speculation about extraterrestrial life.
