Featured Image Credit: NEMES LASZLO/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty
NASA has captured some mind-blowing images of Mars over the years, but one particular photo has left the space scientists completely baffled.
Most recently, holes in the planet’s surface led some people to believe it could be a potential life shelter - either for those astronauts exploring the Red Planet or Martian life forms.
Over the years, NASA's high-resolution images have given us a closer look at the unique landscapes of Mars. It's no wonder that Hollywood blockbusters imagine humans colonising it (and Elon Musk, of course) and even Donald Trump has vowed to one day plant the US flag there.
Safe to say, Mars has seemingly been home to many unexplained formations and potential life forms. But this latest discovery is grabbing attention because of its strikingly perfect shape.
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Now, the latest imagery from the Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) has revealed structures that nobody seems to be able to justify or explain.
The inexplicable, perfectly square structure is one like nothing else ever observed. But, don't just take my word for it.
Popular podcaster Joe Rogan shared his comment on X (formerly Twitter), posting: "This is f**king WILD".
Even Tesla CEO and billionaire Elon Musk chimed in, responding to Rogan’s post with “We should send astronauts to Mars to investigate!”
The image was taken by the US space agency in 2001. And thanks to the power of the internet, you can have a look at it yourself with this interactive map here. According to Arizona State University's Mars image explorer, the area in the photo spans about 3 kilometres (1.9 miles) across.
Naturally, the internet has gone wild over the discovery. Many suspect it could be proof of an ancient alien civilisation due to its seemingly man-made appearance.
Photo from a square structure on Mars posted to reddit. It is indeed real.
— Chris Ramsay (@chrisramsay52) January 31, 2025
This image originates from the Mars Global Surveyor's Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC)
The original image can be viewed through Arizona State University's Mars Image Explorer. pic.twitter.com/Z3TevH6oCa
Some have compared the mysterious formation to Earth's Pyramids of Giza - one of the world’s greatest architectural wonders, which still puzzles experts to this day.
Whilst others are quick to shut down the conspiracies, likening the perfection of the structure at Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland. These remarkable hexagonal rock formations were created by volcanic activity and looked almost too organised to be a result of geographic disasters.
While a human mission to Mars is still years away, NASA has plans to land astronauts on the Red Planet by 2040. So, maybe then, we will get our answers. But for now, it’s yet another Martian mystery waiting to be solved.
