IMAGE DETAILS

MR Report Ref: MIA032

Report date: July-August 2017

Research Status: Open - Possible mechanical artefact

Description: Wheels and Axle
Approximate size: 15 cm
Mission: Curiosity Rover
Location: Gale Crater

Found by: Thomas M. S. Jensen

Image date: Sol 729, Aug 2014
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

Graphics/image editing: M. J. Craig

Image source: https://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl-raw-images/msss/00729/mcam/0729ML0031250020305133E01_DXXX.jpg

OBSERVATIONS

If ever we could set nature an impossible task of eroding rock to look like a manufactured object, then surely ‘a set of wheels’ would be it. Frustratingly this object is too far away to permit closer examination in fact I almost chose not to present it due to the lack of detail, but there is certainly enough to raise an eyebrow and more.

​POTENTIAL FOR AN ARTIFICIAL OBJECT

​As well as the compelling circular wheel shape, there is a strong hint too of an inner circle, which strengthens the possibility that it could be exactly what it appears to be. There is also a suggestion of some other geometrical shapes just behind the "wheels", which may indicate a mechanical junk pile of sorts.

COMMON EXPLANATION

​An optical illusion caused by the limits of the image resolution. Just round rocks and shadow-play.

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