NASA rover Spots Turtle-Shaped Rock on Mars
JEZERO CRATER, MARS - NASA’s Perseverance rover has discovered a rock on the surface of Mars resembling a turtle, the latest in a series of unusual geological formations spotted during its five-year mission. The finding highlights the role of pareidolia - the human tendency to perceive familiar patterns in random stimuli – in interpreting images from the red planet.
The rock, sculpted by ancient water sources or millennia of wind erosion, joins a growing list of Martian features that evoke earthly objects, including blueberries, fingerprints, doors, and even the Star Trek insignia. While these shapes are products of natural processes, their resemblance to familiar forms captivates public imagination and underscores the ongoing exploration of Mars’ complex geological history. Perseverance has previously identified a “medieval helmet” in August and “skulls” in April.
Perseverance’s mission is to seek signs of ancient microbial life and collect samples for potential return to Earth.The rover’s continued discoveries of these oddly-shaped rocks, alongside larger geological features resembling animals like dogs and bears, demonstrate the planet’s dynamic landscape and offer further insights into its past environment.