Of course, there are no bears on Mars. But there is a formation on the surface that looks like an animal. The NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter took an image of Mars, on which the bear’s face is easily guessed. Such familiar silhouettes on the Red Planet constantly evoke in us the instincts of pareidolia – the tendency of people to see familiar objects in random forms.
The University of Arizona uses the HiRISE (High Resolution Imaging Experiment) camera on board the MRO to take photos of the surface of Mars. A new image of the landscape with a bear was received in December 2022, but published only this week.
“Such a face of a Martian bear is larger than an ordinary one. In fact, this strange formation is about two kilometers wide,” the HiRISE team reported.
But what really is this strange formation on the surface of Mars that reminds us so much of a familiar animal?
“The circular pattern may be associated with sediment subsidence over a buried impact crater. The characteristic nose and mouth can be formed by a volcanic or mud hole, so the material subsiding over the crater may be lava or mud,” explain the HiRISE researchers.
MRO has a “talent” for finding familiar images on Mars. We used to see the “Happy Face” crater, the Beaker from the Muppet Show, a huge ear, or even interesting illusions playing with our vision.
Earlier we reported on how Perseverance drew a “smile” on the surface of Mars.
According to uahirise.org
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