Harvard Scientist Challenges NASA Over Mysterious Martian Object: 'Prove It's Just a Rock'
Yahoo • • science
Key Points:
- A dispute has arisen between NASA and Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb over a cone-shaped object photographed on Mars by the Curiosity rover, with Loeb challenging NASA's claim that it is a natural rock formation.
- NASA describes the object as a small, wind-carved rock about 1 centimeter in size, suggesting its unusual appearance is a case of pareidolia, where people see familiar shapes in random objects.
- Loeb contends the object is closer to 20 centimeters and may be human-made debris, questioning the likelihood of a rock having a smooth cylindrical surface with a flat end as seen in the images.
- The Harvard scientist has publicly demanded NASA provide evidence of similar rock formations in Curiosity rover images to support their explanation.
- This is not the first time Mars images have sparked controversy, with a previous photo resembling a bear's face going viral despite no known life on the planet.
