Astronomers at the University of Arizona have found a “bear face” on Mars. The discovery was made by means of the North American space probe Mars Reconnaissance Orbit (MRO), belonging to NASA. The researchers shared the photo on the university website, on Wednesday 25.
The capture was produced by the HiRISE high resolution camera, attached to the MRO probe. In the photo, it is possible to observe a V-shaped structure, which would represent the nose. Two craters form the eyes and a circular fracture symbolizes what would be the head.
HiPOD: A Bear on Mars?
This feature looks a bit like a bear’s face. What is it really?
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NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona#Mars #science #NASA https://t.co/2WUNquTUZH pic.twitter.com/1k2ZnLcJ5o
— HiRISE: Beautiful Mars (NASA) (@HiRISE) January 25, 2023
Possible origin of the “Martian bear”
“The circular fracture pattern could be due to the settling of a deposit over a buried impact crater,” said Alfred McEwen, principal investigator for HiRISE. “Perhaps the nose is a volcanic or mud vent and the deposit could be lava or mud flows? Maybe just smile and bear it.”
Scientists say they were “amused” by the similarity between the ground markings and a bear. The apparent physiognomy of the animal is the result of an “optical illusion”, or “facial pareidolia”: human tendency or illusion to see facial structures in everyday objects.
