As quickly as NASA publishes unbelievably detailed photographs of the Martian surface, people back home find odd and unusual objects within those photos. Of course, NASA always discounts the newfound anomalous objects as natural rock formations.
Matters were clouded in early 2014 when observant researchers found “before and after” photos proving that NASA occasionally “cleans up” some of their photos (and videos). NASA calmly explained that in some instances, camera imperfections must be corrected using software – like Photoshop. Still, despite NASA’s proven manipulation of the Mars photographs, eagle-eyed researchers continue finding unusual anomalies in the photographs of the Martian surface and ask, “Have you *ever* in your life seen a natural rock formation on Earth that looks like that?”
Is it pareidolia (finding recognizable shapes in chaos), NASA manipulation of images, or evidence of a civilization on a nearby planet that has long since disappeared? Who cares – it’s entertainment! Here is a collection of some of the unusual sights found on Mars to date.
The Thigh Bone
Resembling a fossilized femur bone, this odd object was explained by NASA as a “shiny-looking rock” that had been sculpted by erosion (either wind or water). Others, however, pointed out the impossibility of wind and erosion shaping a rock in such a bizarre manner. The Thigh Bone was found on the Red Planet in August 2014.
The Rodent or Mars Rat
Looking like a mouse or squirrel laying on its stomach, the Mars Rat was captured (on film) by NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity in September 2012 and generated a lot of Internet interest after viewers noted the features – eyes, nose, ears, cheeks, legs – of the cute little creature were easily discernible.
The lizard
This one’s a bit tougher to explain as a rock as the features are very clear and include a long, thin tail which seemingly would be an impossible shape to be formed by natural erosion. The object was reportedly discovered by a Japanese researcher in March 2013 and appears to show a tail, four legs, and other obvious characteristics of a lizard.
The frozen woman
Photographed by the NASA rover Spirit, this frozen woman perched on a rock had many wondering if the rain of fire over Sodom and Gomorrah took place on Mars instead. The photo looks remarkably like a female figure with an outstretched arm. The image was sent back to Earth by the Mars Spirit rover in 2008.
The Iguana
The Iguana was discovered by an eagle-eyed enthusiast on November 6, 2013, in photos taken by the Mars Curiosity rover. NASA was informed of the finding but refused to turn the rover back to investigate further.
The Ball
Shaped like a perfect sphere, the Ball was discovered late in 2014 by the Curiosity rover on sol 746 atop a rocky outcrop. The perfectly round object sits atop a flat rock and looks like a dirty cannonball. NASA explained it as “concretion”.
The Martian Totem pole
Maybe not a totem pole (or traffic stoplight) but what is this bizarre structure?
The Jelly Donut
The Jelly Donut wasn’t known as much for its unusual appearance as the fact that it appeared on Mars during a 12-day period when Opportunity wasn’t looking. The unusual object simply materialized out of thin air right in front of Opportunity. Some suggested the image was manipulated by NASA but for what reason is anybody’s guess.
The Snake Fossil
This unusual item, called the Snake Fossil, was found in the NASA-JPL-MSSS image taken at 29.65 degrees West and 39.20 North and looks like the fossilized bones of a snake. Many “rock formations” such as this have been found in Mars surface photographs.
Skulls on Mars
Several instances of skulls, both human and animal, have reportedly been found on the Martian surface, including one that looks like a Stormtrooper helmet.
And heads…
In at least one instance, a complete head with clear and distinct facial features was found (many say it looks like President Barack Obama).
The Golden Disc
The Golden Disc was discovered in December 2014 in NASA’s photojournal (PIA17083) and featured a disc-shaped object nestled between a pair of rocks. It stood out not only because of its unusual shape, but its shiny, golden hue which clearly indicated it was some sort of alien metallic object sitting on the surface of Mars, most likely a UFO or weather balloon.
The Coffin
The “Coffin” was found in a December 2014 NASA photo taken by the Mars Rover and clearly shows a linear, rectangular-shape object that resembled a manmade coffin or box of some sort.
The iconic face on Mars
And who could forget the iconic 1976 image of the Face on Mars which was later explored by NASA and described as a natural rock formation. Ah well, at least we tried.
Image Credits
In-Article Image Credits
Weird anomalous object on Mars - Another Face on Mars via NASA with usage type - Public DomainWeird anomalous object on Mars - The Thigh Bone via NASA with usage type - Public Domain
Weird anomalous object on Mars - The Thigh Bone via NASA with usage type - Public Domain
Weird anomalous object on Mars - The Rodent or Mars Rat via NASA with usage type - Public Domain
Weird anomalous object on Mars - The Rodent or Mars Rat via NASA with usage type - Public Domain
Weird anomalous object on Mars - The Lizard via NASA with usage type - Public Domain
Weird anomalous object on Mars - The Lizard via NASA with usage type - Public Domain
Weird anomalous object on Mars - The Frozen Woman via NASA with usage type - Public Domain
Weird anomalous object on Mars - The Iguana via NASA with usage type - Public Domain
Weird anomalous object on Mars - The Ball via NASA with usage type - Public Domain
Weird anomalous object on Mars - The Martian Totem Pole via NASA with usage type - Public Domain
Weird anomalous object on Mars - The Jelly Donut (NASA altered) via NASA with usage type - Public Domain
Weird anomalous object on Mars - The Snake Fossil via NASA with usage type - Public Domain
Weird anomalous object on Mars - Skulls on Mars via NASA with usage type - Public Domain
Weird anomalous object on Mars - Stormtrooper helmet on Mars via NASA with usage type - Public Domain
Weird anomalous object on Mars - Skull on Mars via NASA with usage type - Public Domain
Weird anomalous object on Mars - head on Mars (Obama) via NASA with usage type - Public Domain
Weird anomalous object on Mars - The Golden Disc via NASA with usage type - Public Domain
Weird anomalous object on Mars - The Coffin via NASA with usage type - Public Domain
Weird anomalous object on Mars - The Face on Mars via NASA with usage type - Public Domain
Weird anomalous object on Mars - The Coffin (close) via NASA with usage type - Public Domain
Featured Image Credit
Weird anomalous object on Mars - Another Face on Mars via NASA with usage type - Public Domain
