IMAGE DETAILS

Mars Report Ref: MIA036

Research Status: Open - Possible mechanical artefact

Description: Mechanical Fitting
Approximate size: 7 cm
Mission: Curiosity Rover
Location: Gale Crater

Found by: Michael Ivey

Image date: Sol 109, Nov 2012
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

Graphics/image editing: M. J. Craig

Image source: https://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl-raw-images/msss/00109/mcam/0109MR0684024000E1_DXXX.jpg

OBSERVATIONS

The resemblance to some form of mechanical fitting is clearly recognizable. However, insufficient detail in the image could mean that instead of one object on view here, there could be more than one, perhaps a couple of rocks one behind the other.

​POTENTIAL FOR AN ARTIFICIAL OBJECT

​Mechanical character to object.

COMMON EXPLANATION

Possibly a couple of small stones forming an optical illusion, due to perspective, shadows and imagery limitations.