Enhanced NASA image of the Martian square. The image has been enhanced to make the square more visible. Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems via Mars Orbiter Camera, Arizona State University’s Mars image explorer.
All eyes are on the Red Planet once again after a bizarre ‘square structure’ on the Martian surface caused a cosmic commotion online.
SpaceX mogul Elon Musk fuelled the frenzy by posting on X (formerly Twitter), “We should send astronauts to Mars to investigate,” while infamous podcaster Joe Rogan also joined in the speculation. Is this finally the evidence we’ve all been waiting for…?
What is the mysterious structure on Mars?
A newly resurfaced NASA Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera snap shows a rugged region around 3 kilometres (1.9 miles) wide. In the image, there’s a suggestively square(ish) feature that’s sparked heated chatter on social media and Reddit. Some swear it’s the remnants of an ancient Martian civilisation, claiming that ‘nature never makes neat squares’. But hold on to your space helmets – experts say the image has been edited to emphasise the shape, and even in the raw photo you’d have to squint to see anything distinctly rectangular.
While the photo lingered in relative obscurity for some time, it took off faster than a Falcon rocket once Joe Rogan discussed it on his show. Elon Musk then stepped in with his trademark enthusiasm, urging a manned mission to see for ourselves. But not everyone’s ready to book a one-way ticket to the Red Planet just yet.
Is it just Pareidolia? When your mind plays tricks and has you seeing ‘squares’
So why do we see squares, faces, or even Elvis in our toast? Blame pareidolia – our evolved tendency to spot meaningful patterns (like a lurking lion!) in random visuals. Carl Sagan famously noted that our ancestors who ran from anything resembling a predator were more likely to survive. So if you’re primed to pick out potential perils, it’s natural you might see squares on Mars – or canals, or pyramids, or the occasional ‘avocado rock’.
So, are we alone or not?
While we haven’t found conclusive proof of little green men (or big square houses) on Mars, scientists are keen to keep looking. The only way to be sure is through rigorous research – and yes, maybe one day a fearless crew of astronauts.
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