Recently, NASA’s Perseverance rover has made a significant discovery. On June 23, 2023, it captured an image of an unusually large, doughnut-shaped rock, likely a meteorite, with a prominent hole in its centre. This discovery, as shared by the SETI institute, was accompanied by several smaller rocks of similar colour.
#PPOD: @NASAPersevere took a picture using the SuperCam Remote Micro-Imager on 23 June 2023 of a donut-shaped rock off in the distance, which could be a large meteorite alongside smaller pieces. Credit: @NASA @NASAJPL @Caltech @LosAlamosNatLab @CNES @IRAP_France @mars_stu pic.twitter.com/9EFTr5tlno
— The SETI Institute (@SETIInstitute) June 26, 2023
Such odd rock formations are not new to Mars; past and present Mars rovers have encountered other strange shapes. Earlier this year, a structure resembling a bear’s face was found. This consisted of two craters that acted as the eyes and a V-shaped collapsed hill that formed what could be interpreted as a snout. Researchers suggested that the formation was due to a deposit settling over a buried impact crater, while the snout-like structure might have originated from a volcanic or mud vent.
If Nasa finding a bear face on Mars aint the biggest foreshadow for the mother of all bear markets I dont know what is 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/gYvPs1ocsC
— Sir Of Finance (@SirOfFinance) January 27, 2023
NASA’s Curiosity rover also detected a shiny metallic rock, potentially an iron-nickel meteorite, in February. Located near Mars’ Mount Sharp, the rock, aptly named ‘Cacao’, was in an area believed to have been a large crater in Mars’ ancient past. Even more peculiarly, the Curiosity rover had previously discovered a rock formation that looks like an ‘alien doorway.’
NASA’s Mastcam captures what looks to be a doorway on Mars.
Explanation possibilities.
1. Natural rock formation.
2. Alien built doorway on Mars.
3. Photo from Earth due to NASA faking images and this one slipped through.Source. https://t.co/dpqJGSGiom pic.twitter.com/iiDZIEGcXM
— Nikos 👁️ (@factchecknikos) May 11, 2022
Other notable discoveries include the ‘Egg Rock’ in 2016 and a 7-foot-long meteorite christened ‘Lebanon’ in 2014.
While the doughnut-shaped rock might not be evidence of extraterrestrial doughnut shops, it certainly reflects our innate drive to seek meaning, even millions of miles from home.
