Human skull on Mars? What did NASA just discover on the red planet
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A curious discovery has captured the attention of both scientists and space enthusiasts. On Mars 's remote slope of Jezero Crater, NASA 's Perseverance rover sent back an image of a rock that resembled a human skull. About the size of a basketball, the rock-like structure is completely different from its dusty surroundings.For some people, it may seem like a cosmic coincidence, but for others, it is another reminder of the Red Planet's mystery and the possibility of life outside Earth.The Perseverance rover is a car-sized robotic spacecraft dispatched by NASA to explore the Jezero Crater on Mars as a key part of the Mars 2020 mission.According to Margaret Deahn, a Ph.D. student at Purdue University and a member of the NASA team, Skull Hill is most likely what's known as a 'float rock.' This means it didn't originate where it currently sits but was transported there by natural forces, likely from an impact crater or volcanic activity.'It could have come from a volcanic outcrop or a distant impact, carried over by ancient Martian winds or water flows,' Deahn explained. Scientists also estimate that as much as 30% of the surface rocks in Jezero Crater may have been displaced over millions of years.Some even suggest that it could be a meteorite, as Mars' thin atmosphere a lot of times fails to burn up the incoming space debris, and NASA's Curiosity rover had found several iron-nickel meteorites in Gale Crater.But in this case, after a closer inspection, Perseverance's SuperCam, which is a laser-powered chemical analyzer, revealed that Skull Hill's composition didn't match that of a typical meteorite.It also suggested that the object is an igneous rock formed from volcanic magma, and the presence of minerals like olivine and pyroxene, which are considered common in volcanic rocks, supports this theory.The pitted and angular surface of the Skull, along with its dark tone, makes it even more interesting. The pits are likely the result of wind erosion or the loss of small rock fragments. Rocks like Skull Hill are time capsules, offering critical clues about the planet's geological history and helping in understanding Mars' past.'Every rock we encounter on Mars is like a page in the planet's unfinished autobiography,' said Dr. Melissa Rice, a planetary geologist at Western Washington University. 'And Skull Hill? It's one of those chapters that makes you stop and think.'The question of whether Mars was ever home to life remains one of the most curious mysteries, and the search continues, with the hope that one day, the Red Planet will reveal its secrets.
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