The Most Bizarre And Eye-Opening Images From Mars

It's incredible just how far we've come in terms of exploring space. While it might not seem like much, the fact that we've discovered as much as we have of other planets is pretty wild. That's especially the case when you consider what we've actually seen out there.

One planet that NASA and other space agencies have shown us a ton of footage of is Mars. While it might be a pretty barren place, there are also quite a few bizarre sights all those millions of miles away. Is everything on Mars exactly as it appears to be, though?

NASA appeared to capture a monument in the shape of a face on Mars

One of the main reasons we send crafts out to explore space is to discover whether or not there are other life forms in the universe. David Bowie famously sang about if there was life on Mars in the 1970s, and this picture suggests there might be. At least, that's what some people thought when they saw it in 1976.

The left image was recorded by NASA's Viking 1 Orbiter over 45 years ago and appears to show a formation on Mars in the shape of a face. Questions arose over whether this was a monument created by the Martians. However, the Mars Global Surveyor captured the right photograph in 2001, which revealed the face wasn't as it seemed.

An image from May 2022 revealed what appeared to be a doorway on Mars

The existence of Martians isn't something that we've yet to prove. Or, at least, it's not something that any space agency has revealed. However, there are times when it appears as though we've found evidence of extraterrestrial life on the Red Planet. May 2022 was one such time, with NASA appearing to capture a picture of a doorway on Mars.

If the planet has doorways, there must surely be life out there, right? Once again, though, things were not as they seemed. It appears this was one of those instances where the angle of the photo gave the illusion of something that wasn't really there. It was just light and shadow playing tricks on us all.

Mars' south pole is apparently home to an angel and a heart

December is a time of year when plenty of people are all about love and angels, what with it being the festive season. So, it seems rather fitting that it was in this month in 2020 that the European Space Agency captured this image. It was taken at Mars' south pole and appears to show an angel and a heart.

Some people might be able to pick the shapes out better than others, which were apparently partly formed by a crater. The fact that this area on Mars appears to look like things we recognize can easily be put down to coincidence. Still, we can't deny that it's a little odd to see something like this on another planet.

NASA once captured a mysterious crater with a hole leading to an underground cavern

Holes are hardly a foreign concept to people on Earth. Still, that doesn't mean they can't be unusual. One of the more bizarre images from Mars that we've seen is this shot from 2011 taken by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. It appears to show a dip in the ground with a hole leading to an underground chamber somewhere.

According to NASA, the hole is almost 115 feet wide, while the cavern inside is around 65 feet. When this photograph was taken, scientists couldn't understand why the hole was surrounded by a circular crater. When it was uploaded by NASA almost a decade later, there was still uncertainty about this and other elements of the mysterious Martian hole.

A thigh bone found on Mars in 2014 was actually just an eroded rock 

One of the best ways to confirm that there's life on Mars - or that there used to be, anyway - is to find physical remains. Something like a bone would go a long way to proving that we aren't alone in this universe. So, you can imagine how people felt when NASA revealed the next of these bizarre images from Mars.

The shot by the space agency's Curiosity rover in 2014 appears to reveal a thigh bone scattered amongst some dust and other debris. Was this an indication of Martian life, or perhaps even the existence of humans on the Red Planet? Unfortunately, no. It seems that this thigh bone was actually just a rock shaped by erosion. 

One rock on Mars appears to look like a brachiosaurus

Aliens aren't the only thing that some people wish they could encounter. Dinosaurs have been a source of interest for years, with fans of the creatures disappointed that they'll never get to see them in the flesh. At least their bones reveal what these animals likely looked like, which is how we know this rock bears a resemblance to one.

In April 2021, NASA's Perseverance rover captured this image of a rock that has a very similar shape to that of a brachiosaurus. Unfortunately, this offers no indication that dinosaurs actually roamed Mars as they did Earth. While dinosaurs may seem like aliens to some people, there's nothing to suggest they were capable of planetary travel.

Mars appeared to take sides in the debate between Star Wars and Star Trek

Which sci-fi series is superior - 'Star Wars or 'Star Trek?' That's a question that has been raging for decades between fans of the two franchises. We have to admit that both 'Star Wars' and 'Star Trek' have their ups and downs, with both deserving of the praise they receive. However, it seems that Mars may have officially ended the debate.

It seems the Red Planet has shown allegiance to 'Star Trek' with this image of the famous logo on its surface. It was reportedly captured by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and revealed in 2019 to the delight of some fans. After all, if a planet takes sides in a sci-fi debate, you have to listen to it, right?

These "spiders" on Mars aren't actually as terrifying as they appear

Do you know what we don't need to find on Mars? Spiders. They terrify enough people on this planet, so the thought of them being present on another isn't pleasant. If we ever did end up moving to Mars, the last thing we'd want is more spiders scaring the life out of us. Thankfully, that's not what this picture shows.

What NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter actually photographed in May 2018 was araneiform terrain. This is the result of carbon dioxide below the surface of the planet heating up and being released, with darker dust consequently deposited around the opening. It's a seasonal process that's not seen on Earth, with this picture snapped during winter at Mar's south pole.

The Egg Rock on Mars isn't the incredible discovery its name claims to be

If you were to find an egg on another planet, that would give you a pretty good idea that something lives there. The question is, would you wait around for the egg to hatch? Who knows what might be lurking inside or what creature may show up in search of the egg. It's hard to deny the curiosity, though.

Unfortunately, this object photographed by the Curiosity rover isn't actually an egg. Although it's apparently called Egg Rock, that's because it was named after an area in Maine's Bar Harbor. What's more, it's a lot smaller than it appears in the image, with NASA reporting it to only be the size of a golf ball.

These dragon scales sadly aren't proof of fantastical creatures living on Mars

The existence of dragons is something that some people still dispute, with several passionate believers adamant that they're not just the stuff of fantasy. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem likely that these animals did exist. Even if they did, it's safe to say that they're not flying around anymore. Is it a different situation millions of miles away on Mars, though?

One of these unusual images from Mars appears to show dragon scales on the distant planet. Even NASA referred to this image as such when their Reconnaissance Orbiter captured the picture. However, it seems that this is simply the result of erosion, although NASA still aren't sure exactly how it came to look this way or what was responsible.

Dust devils on Mars can be more helpful than they are on Earth

Mars and Earth are two very different planets. However, as some of these bizarre photos from Mars show, there are similarities between the two. For instance, both have dust devils, which are strong whirlwinds that can vary quite significantly in size. On Earth, they have caused damage before and have even been responsible for ending several people's lives.

Of course, Mars is a planet seemingly without life, meaning dust devils here aren't such a danger. Moreover, they can apparently be quite helpful on this planet because they're capable of cleaning the solar panels of the various Mars rovers. It's nice to know that natural occurrences on Mars can be a help more than a hindrance.

NASA previously encountered some rocks on Mars, which they nicknamed blueberries

If you're feeling hungry, it's probably a good thing that you aren't on Mars right now. Otherwise, you might confuse these rocks for blueberries. These hematite-rich spherules are named after the fruit because of the resemblance they seem to bear. They were captured by NASA in 2004 while their rover was exploring Fram Crater on the Red Planet.

As with several of these unusual pictures from Mars, the size of the objects photographed is quite misleading. While they might appear to be as big as your average pebble, NASA revealed that the area shown in the image is just 1.2 inches across. So, those blueberries are small enough to swallow, something that we definitely wouldn't advise.

Mars somehow appeared to get hold of a statue from the British Museum

It's incredible the way that some of these bizarre images from Mars can really mess with our heads. When people first saw the image on the left, some were adamant that they'd seen it before. They soon made the connection between the rock and a Neo-Assyrian attendant god figure found at the British Museum. We can understand why.

People wondered whether some Martians had stolen the statue or created their own in the likeness of the Earth's creation. There were even a few who questioned if this was proof that the Mars Opportunity rover had never even left our planet. However, this is apparently just another example of light and shadow playing tricks on our eyes.

Pac-Man doesn't roam Mars, despite what this crater may suggest

Have you ever wondered where the iconic Pac-Man arcade game is set? You might assume that it's not set anywhere because it's just a bunch of shapes on a black background. However, the next of these strange photos from Mars indicates that it may well have been set on Mars. That's what we like to believe, anyway.

Looking at this photo of a crater snapped by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, it's hard not to see Pac-Man in the center. Unfortunately, this isn't the proof that we want it to be. Instead, it's simply the result of a crescent-like barchan sand dune being inside an impact crater. Sadly, that means no Pac-Man roaming the surface of Mars.

The sky on Mars is sometimes just as unusual as what's on the planet's surface

Not all of these surprising photos from Mars were actually taken on the planet's surface. There have been times when NASA's rovers have looked up at the sky and seen what the Martians would see if they existed. Apparently, that's something quite beautiful. That was certainly the case in March 2021, anyway, as this picture indicates.

The Curiosity rover photographed these shimmering clouds, which were apparently the result of all the particles inside being nearly identical in size. That's according to atmospheric scientist Mark Lemmon, anyway, who says this tends to happen "just after the clouds have formed" and they've "all grown at the same rate." We wouldn't mind stargazing with a view like this.

A Google Map-style exploration of Mars' surface appeared to reveal Mahatma Gandhi's face

It seems there have been several instances of people seeing faces on the surface of Mars. Another incident occurred in 2009 when Google Mars was released. This map program utilized satellite images collected by space agencies to allow people to explore the planet. Using this, Matteo Ianneo ended up discovering what appeared to be Mahatma Gandhi's face.

At least, that's what he and several others saw when they encountered this formation on the planet's surface. We can't deny that it certainly appears to be a person's face in profile, and we can understand why people would make the connection with Gandhi. However, this is just a case of pareidolia, where people see faces that aren't actually there.

What looks like a floating spoon is apparently just a fragile rock formation

Something else that would suggest to the world that there is or has been life on Mars is the presence of various tools and utensils. If NASA or other space agencies were to find something like cutlery on the Red Planet, it would be hard to deny that there isn't life here. So, why isn't this photo considered proof?

Unfortunately, that's because the spoon that appears to be in this image is actually just a rock formation. It's quite an unusual rock formation, too, because it appears to be floating above the ground. This is reportedly the result of Mars' different gravity which means that fragile formations can hold up better than they do on Earth.

Mars' south pole looks a little different from what you'd see at Earth's

We're used to the polar regions being cold on Earth, and it seems it's a similar situation on Mars. Apparently, temperatures here can drop to a staggering -238 degrees Fahrenheit, something our bodies definitely wouldn't be able to cope with. That's not the only thing of interest about the planet's poles, though, as this next image demonstrates.

We'd definitely say this is one of the more unusual photos from Mars, given it looks like a close-up of bacteria. What it's actually showing, though, is the planet's south pole, as seen by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in 2016. Apparently, the polar cap here is made from carbon dioxide, with the circular pits being holes in the dry ice.

A crater on Mars ended up looking like a tadpole swimming on the planet's surface

We've come to realize that Mars is home to a ton of craters. The Earth has had a fair few over the years too, but you don't tend to see them as much because it's such a geologically active planet. We could be missing out by not having so many craters, though, given the unusual shapes they apparently make.

Another notable crater on Mars is this one that was spotted by NASA's Reconnaissance Orbiter several years ago. It looks like a tadpole swimming across the surface, with the tail not something you see with every crater. It was apparently the result of water movement, which reportedly moved from the crater outward rather than the other way around.

A giant splatter on Mars is supposedly exactly what it looks like

As these bizarre images from Mars have shown us, a lot of what you see on Mars isn't as it appears. However, it seems that this might be one instance where what you're looking at is truly the real deal. This looks as though something has splattered against the planet's surface, and that's allegedly what actually happened.

Supposedly, something hit Mars' southern ice cap in 2019 and broke through the ice. In doing so, a bunch of dust reportedly blew out of the hole, resulting in the splatter effect that we can see here. NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter was apparently responsible for capturing the image, like with so many of these other unusual photos from Mars.

NASA denied the possibility of a war on Mars that used cannonballs

If there were Martians living on Mars, do you think they'd ever go to war? We suppose it's not out of the question. After all, humans have done it numerous times over the centuries, and conflict is always bound to emerge between life forms. Some even believe that there has already been war on the planet, judging by this picture.

This was captured by NASA's Curiosity rover and reportedly earned the attention of some UFO enthusiasts at the end of 2017. They apparently believed that the spherical object in this image was a cannonball left over from a war. However, NASA downplayed this suggestion on social media, pointing out that the supposed cannonball is only 0.2 inches long.

Korolev crater on Mars apparently contains ice all-year round because it's a cold trap

We might not know if there's life on Mars, but water is a different story. It wasn't that long ago that we learned of this revelation, with new discoveries emerging in the years since. For instance, in 2020, it was confirmed that there are apparently several large saltwater lakes around the planet's south pole. They are under the ice, though.

This water and ice combination results in some pretty spectacular sights, like this one at Korolev crater. Throughout the year, this crater is reportedly home to a mound of water ice that's reportedly 1.1 miles thick. It supposedly stays here because the crater acts as a cold trap, with the ice's position creating a protective layer of cold air.

Some rocks on Mars really leave people scratching their heads

We know that Mars is home to some curiously-shaped rocks. However, it's not always the shape that makes a rock on the Red Planet stand out. Sometimes, it's the simple fact that they look so different from what we're used to that makes them noteworthy. After all, would you ever expect to encounter something like this on Earth?

The rock was reportedly photographed by NASA's Perseverance rover in March 2021, becoming one of its first big finds. People aren't exactly sure what it is, whether it's a weathered chunk of bedrock or something that's broken off from an impact event. There's a chance that it could be a meteorite, which would be pretty incredible.

Sunsets on Mars are apparently much bluer than they are on Earth

For some people, there's no time of the day more romantic than sunset. Once the sun goes down and the sky becomes a gorgeous mix of colors, it's hard not to lose your breath for a moment. However, we're not sure that anyone would be quite as captivated if they were watching the sunset on Mars.

While the planet itself might sometimes seem like the color of sunset, things apparently go a lot bluer when the sun goes down here. This is down to the dust particles, which are larger than the gas ones we have on Earth. These scatter the red wavelengths, which is why sunsets tend to be blue while the daytime is red.

Flowers might not grow on Mars, but some rocks appear to suggest otherwise

As amazing as it would be to explore Mars, we imagine that you run out of things to see pretty quickly. After all, the Red Planet is pretty barren. So, while these bizarre images from Mars might reveal some incredible sights, they're few and far between. There isn't even any plant life here because nothing can grow in the conditions.

Of course, while there might not be flowers, that doesn't mean there aren't formations that give the appearance of flowers. In February 2022, NASA's Curiosity rover snapped this shot of a rock artifact that looks like a flower covered in dust. Unfortunately, it's just another rock messing with our heads and is also reportedly smaller than a penny.

One image from NASA potentially reveals a volcanic eruption site on Mars

Something that Earth and Mars reportedly share in common is volcanic activity. We know that volcanoes exist on Earth and have seen just how much damage they can do when they erupt. It's a lot more significant than if one were to go off on Mars, where there supposedly aren't any life forms to be affected by it.

Still, that doesn't mean that volcanic eruptions here don't do anything of note. The next of these unusual pictures from Mars reveals what may well be a 50,000-year-old (or less) volcanic eruption site. According to a research team, the "mysterious dark deposit" in this photo - which is apparently slightly bigger than Washington D.C. - could be a volcanic deposit. 

Raindrop dunes on Mars' surface might actually be tied to a lack of rain here

Just because there might be water on Mars, that doesn't mean the planet experiences rain as we do on Earth. In fact, it's apparently been an incredibly long time since Mars experienced such a phenomenon, which might explain why it's so dry and dusty here. Of course, while there might not be rain, that doesn't mean there are no raindrops.

It seems NASA once captured a picture of some dunes around the Copernicus Crater, and it's hard not to see them as raindrops. Interestingly, their existence is actually tied to the lack of rain. That's because they're rich in olivine, a mineral that's not found much on the Earth's surface because it quickly turns to clay when exposed to water.

What appears to be a giant hairy spider is just the work of many dust devils

What is it with Mars and spiders? We're starting to believe that hidden under the surface of the Red Planet are hordes of the creatures. We don't know what's worse - a bunch of tiny spiders or one giant hairy one, which people likened this next discovery to. It was apparently captured by the European Space Agency in 2021.

According to scientists, while this might bear a resemblance to a spider, it's actually just a sprawling pattern created by a ton of dust devils. Supposedly, as many as thousands of dust devils could have formed in this area and created the pattern you see here. While they might appear blue, they're actually dark red on the surface.

Despite how it might appear, this rock isn't ready to pucker up

We're starting to wonder if all these faces on Mars' surface really are just the work of pareidolia. We can understand seeing a face where there isn't one a couple of times, but now it's getting out of hand. However, despite how it may seem, none of these rocks are intentionally designed to look like they're human in any way.

This next strange sight was captured by the Curiosity rover in 2016 and is referred to by some as a "kissy face." That's because the effect of light and shadow appears to reveal a face with an eye, nose, and puckered lips. If you were to see this rock from another angle, though, we expect it would look very different.

Mars has avalanches, too, although not with snow

We're familiar with the concept of avalanches. If you live somewhere mountainous that seems to have a great deal of snow, you've likely encountered one before. It turns out that Mars is another planet that reportedly experiences avalanches, although they're a little different here. After all, the Red Planet doesn't have snow as we do on Earth.

Instead, avalanches here tend to be dust, which might be what you can see in this image from Mars' surface. NASA's Reconnaissance Orbiter captured the shot in 2010, with the space agency revealing that this phenomenon apparently tends to happen around April and May. If it's not an avalanche, it's apparently likely the “fall of mostly carbon dioxide frost.”

One of NASA's rover's created some "accidental zen art" on Mars

When life gets stressful, it's important to try and find some inner peace. One way that people do this is through zen gardens, which emphasize naturalness and simplicity to help find inner peace. They're something you tend to see most in Japan, although there are other parts of the world where these gardens may crop up.

It turns out there are apparently other planets too. In May 2022, the Twitter account for NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover shared this image which it likened to "accidental zen art." We can imagine this sight resonated with some people who appreciate the raked sand and rocky landscape that is so common in zen gardens. We hope it brought them peace.

People were fooled in 2019 by a rock shaped like a robot boot

We have to wonder if the experts at NASA and other space agencies get just as confused as the rest of us when they see some of these images. It's hard not to look at these unusual photos from Mars and identify objects as something else. For instance, this rock which appears to be shaped like a robot boot.

That's certainly what several people believed this to be in 2019 when they saw the photo for the first time. The shape of it certainly makes it look like a boot, and we can see why some would think it belonged to a robot. Once again, though, this was just a rock that happened to be shaped a certain way.

Some believe they can see Mr. Peanut in this formation around Mars' south pole

The more we see of the Red Planet's south pole, the harder it becomes to convince ourselves that we're not just looking at bacteria. Some of the weirdest photos from Mars are from this part of the planet, and that's apparently due to carbon dioxide sublimating and condensing. According to Alfred McEwen, this results in pits being enlarged or filled.

As these processes occur on "steep slopes" and "flat areas," they result in the formation of things like this. Some have likened the shape of this to Mr. Peanut, with people saying it looks like the beloved mascot is sprouting a baby peanut. That seems fitting, given Planters sacrificed the character and replaced him with a baby in 2020.

Mars' gravity means that rocks can perch in precarious positions without falling

It's incredible just how much the different gravity that Mars has can shape the landscape. On Earth, you have a pretty slim chance of encountering a rock perched as precariously as the one pictured here. The force of gravity would soon bring it crashing down to the ground and spoil such a spectacular work of nature.

Thankfully, there's seemingly no chance of that on Mars, not for the moment anyway. The rock could eventually fall from its perch after enough years of weathering and wind erosion. After all, this is what's reportedly responsible for the incredible formation in the first place. The same goes for the rock seemingly shaped like a snake's head to the right.

The sudden appearance of an object on Mars caused a lot of confusion

Most of these unusual images from Mars stand out because what they show is so remarkably bizarre. However, with this next one, it's not the object that's as fascinating as the fact that it appeared where it did. After all, it was nowhere to be seen earlier, so how did it suddenly appear in front of the camera?

According to NASA, there's a simple explanation for this, just like all these other weird photos from Mars. It seems that it didn't manifest out of thin air but instead was supposedly dislodged by the Opportunity rover when it drove over it. Presumably, that means it's not a jelly doughnut, as some people initially believed.

One of Mars' rocks was named after a NASA engineer who suddenly passed away

It's hard work putting together a vehicle that can navigate another planet without anyone actually being there in person. Of course, the upside of putting in all that work is that you then get to see some incredible sights from another world. That is unless you're Jacob Matijevic, who passed away days after the Curiosity rover landed on mars.

Matijevic apparently played a significant role in creating the rover, so his loss was devastating. To honor his memory, NASA ended up naming this pyramidal rock after him. It was discovered in the Gale crater in September 2012 and is reportedly 16 inches wide and nearly 10 inches tall. It's reportedly an igneous rock high in elements consistent with feldspar.

NASA is responsible for engraving the first "message" on Mars

It would be pretty incredible if one of these rovers were to suddenly encounter writing on Mars. It would be significant proof that life forms have existed on the planet at some point. Of course, the likelihood of understanding said writing would be pretty slim. After all, we highly doubt that the Martians would communicate in English.

That doesn't mean you won't find the English language on the Red Planet, though. In June 2022, NASA's Perseverance rover made three pits on the side of the Pinefield Gap rock in the shape of the letter "L." It's now being referred to as the "first message" written on Mars, although we expect aliens probably wouldn't understand it.

Is this photo proof that squirrels exist on Mars?

For years, we've assumed that any life forms on Mars would be akin to humanoids, at least in terms of size. However, perhaps potential Martians are actually much smaller. It's possible that they might even look like something we're already familiar with on Earth. Is it too crazy to say that Martians might look like - or may even be - squirrels?

The reason we ask this is tied to the next of these weird pictures from Mars. In 2012, the Curiosity rover appeared to photograph a squirrel hidden amongst a collection of rocks. If squirrels existed on the Red Planet, it would be a huge scientific discovery. Unfortunately, as much as this may look like a squirrel, it's just a rock.

It's hard to tell what's plastic and what isn't on Mars

If a rover or satellite photographs something on Mars that looks abnormal, the chances are that it's just a weirdly-shaped rock. Even if something seems like it's made of another substance, the likelihood is that it isn't. However, that doesn't mean it never happens. After all, one of these unusual photos from Mars contains an object made of plastic.

As always, there was a simple explanation for this. It turns out that the object on the left image apparently came loose from the Curiosity rover that took the picture. Still, we can understand why some would be confused. After all, the object in the second image also looks like plastic, but it's actually a thin flake of rock.

Mars' version of tumbleweeds is apparently just debris from a crash site

The surfaces of Earth and Mars are very different, but there are parts of the former that bear some resemblance to the latter. For instance, if you take color out of the equation, our deserts aren't that different from the ones on the Red Planet. It seems that Mars even has its own version of tumbleweeds.

This is something that NASA's Perseverance rover photographed in July 2022 and which caught the eye of quite a few people. Apparently, the team working on the rover eventually concluded that it was some netting that had blown away from a crash site. This was the crash site for the Perseverance rover's entry, descent, and landing system.

One rock on Mars is so smooth it almost looks like its liquid

If we were ever to end up on Mars, we'd take up work as geologists. After all, it seems like so much of what stands out on the Red Planet lies in its rocks. Well, we guess that's not a huge surprise when the place is so barren. Still, it's amazing just how many noteworthy rocks NASA has encountered.

Another one that stands out is this rock which was photographed by the Curiosity rover in November 2020. It caught people's attention because it's so smooth, making it almost appear liquid. Some commented on its appearance as being like that of pancake batter or melted ice cream. Unfortunately, we don't think this rock would taste as good as those.

Mars might be the Red Planet, but not everything on its surface is this color

You don't need to see too many photos of Mars to understand its color scheme. There's a reason that it's known as the Red Planet. That's why something like this next image stands out so much. Normally, such a small object would be seen as inconsequential, and it wouldn't be that noticeable if it was lying in the dirt.

However, on a planet that's so barren and where red is the dominant color, it's hard not to notice something like this. Apparently, the area covered in this picture is only 1.6 inches wide, which just goes to show how tiny the object is. What exactly is the object anyway? According to NASA, a natural part of Mars' geology.

Lava coils on Mars form when two separate lava flows join together

If it's possible for there to be volcanic activity on Mars, then that means there must be lava on the Red Planet. Scientists have apparently known about the existence of this for around 50 years now, with the Mariner 9 mission revealing various volcanic features on the planet. Since then, further explorations of Mars have revealed new volcanic discoveries.

One discovery by the Reconnaissance Orbiter is this unusual image of some swirls on the planet's surface. These are apparently lava coils that occur when lava flowing in opposite directions end up coming together. The swirl they create hardens and results in this intriguing feature you see here. That's according to the team behind the Reconnaissance Orbiter anyway.

If Mars could act shocked, this is what it would look like

Of all the faces that we've seen in these bizarre images from Mars, this one is perhaps our favorite. It's not as detailed as some of the others, but the expression alone makes it stand out for all the right reasons. NASA's Perseverance rover was the one responsible for photographing this apparent look of shock on the Red Planet's surface.

Interestingly, the rover actually encountered the face twice, having run into an issue the previous time. While trying to collect samples, it became clogged, and it had to dump what it collected. When it returned to the site, the team behind the rover posted on social media that the rock “almost looked surprised that I was coming back.”

The irony of a fish-shaped rock on a planet that can't support aquatic life

In the next edition of "rocks on Mars that look like Earth things," we have a fish. When NASA's Curiosity rover snapped this shot and shared it with the world, some pointed out that one of the rocks bore a resemblance to the aquatic creature. That seems somewhat ironic, given the Red Planet has supposedly never been home to fish.

Just because there's been water on Mars, that doesn't mean there's anything swimming in it. That might be hard to contemplate, given we're so used to seeing all sorts of fish swimming around in the water here. Unfortunately, it's unlikely that Mars' atmosphere has ever had enough oxygen "to support more complex organisms." That's what NASA says on the matter.

Spikes on Mars' surface may well have existed for billions of years

Generally speaking, people associate spikes with danger. If you were to encounter them somewhere in the wild, you'd probably steer clear and be very cautious of your surroundings. What if you came across them on Mars, though? As this photo suggests, it is possible, although they don't look as intimidating as the ones you might be picturing.

It was only in May 2022 that the Curiosity rover captured these, although they've been around a lot longer. In fact, the team behind the Mars rover suggests that they may have formed billions of years ago. Of course, they wouldn't have looked like this back then because their shape is believed to be the result of wind erosion.

Some formations on Mars look like they've been made with a waffle iron

Some parts of Mars' surface are completely flat, with nothing to see for miles. That's not the case everywhere on the Red Planet, though. As you can see in the next of these weird photos from Mars, the flat expanse is sometimes broken up by ridges. In this instance, the formations appear to take the shape of a waffle.

This is completely unintentional, given that the Red Planet doesn't even know what waffles are. Still, we appreciate that the natural formation of this area has resulted in something that many of us are familiar with. It was allegedly the result of lava pushing the ground up below and is apparently 1.2 miles wide, according to NASA.

The Schiaparelli lander crashed on Mars in 2016 and will forever impact the planet's landscape

It's not easy exploring space. As humans are unable to go far, most of our investigation of the universe is done remotely using satellites, space crafts, etc. Some of these are more successful than others, with plenty of missions ending in disaster after something goes wrong with the technology. This is apparently an example of that.

It appears that we're looking at the remnants of the Schiaparelli lander, which crashed on the Red Planet's surface in October 2016. The photo was taken by the Reconnaissance Orbiter, which was sent by NASA to help the European Space Agency identify what happened to their lander. That unfortunate crash will now forever affect Mars' landscape.

Tracks left by dust devils give Mars quite a spooky vibe

Those dust devils really do make some unpleasant-looking tracks on Mars' surface. This image gives us another look at the impact of these natural phenomena and was photographed by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. The shot was taken in 2018 using the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment - also known as HiRISE - camera attached to the satellite.

In this instance, the tracks left by the dust devils are a lot more haunting. Some people have likened them to claw marks, while others think they're more akin to ghostly apparitions. Regardless, they give a somewhat spooky feel to the Red Planet and make it even more mysterious. To think this is all caused by some tornadoes.

The "frost heave" process has made part of Mars' surface very orderly

Sometimes, we look at these bizarre photos from Mars and we wonder what exactly we're looking at. This is one of those times. When NASA shared it with the world, they titled their post "The Case of the Martian Boulder Piles." However, we're not sure that really clears much up about this picture taken by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. 

Although the gray blobs seem like the most noteworthy aspect here, they're not what we should be looking at. Instead, we should focus on the open space that's formed by a series of very orderly boulder piles. These were allegedly caused by a "frost heave" process. As the surface continually froze and thawed, it pushed the boulders into this shape.

People believe they've spotted Beaker hanging around Mars' south pole

We've seen some incredible things in these weird photos from Mars, but something that we never expected to encounter was one of the Muppets. At least, that's what people apparently see in this next image. We certainly agree that the placement of those three circles bears a lot of resemblance to the eyes and nose of Beaker.

Again, this was taken around the south pole of Mars, where the planet has some of its most unusual formations. The impact of that carbon dioxide sublimation and condensation has certainly blessed us with plenty to talk about. This particular image was shared with the world in 2018 after being photographed by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

Are there crab monsters lurking on Mars, or are they just rocks?

As exciting as it would be to discover aliens on Mars, it would also be quite unnerving. After all, who's to say that these life forms would come in peace? For all we know, an encounter with them could end in disaster. That's certainly the vibe that this next photo is giving us, what with its crab monster.

Well, perhaps it's not a crab monster. As we've seen repeatedly with these unusual photos from Mars, things on the Red Planet aren't always as they appear. This is likely just another rock formation influenced by light and shadow. Still, we suppose there's a chance that it could be a crab monster, and where there's one…

Ventifacts on Mars are the result of wind shaping and polishing the planet's rocks

NASA's Curiosity rover has found some incredible things on the surface of Mars. As we've realized, most of these are rock formations that simply look like what they're not. This is another example of that, although it's a little different from some of the formations we've encountered so far. It really looks as though it's been dropped there by someone.

Despite how it may appear, though, this rock was sculpted by the wind over time, just like the other intriguing formations we've seen. It's yet another example of how nature gifts us incredible things to marvel at, even on other planets. Apparently, there's an official name for rocks shaped and polished by the wind like this - "ventifacts." 

A light on Mars' horizon suggested the possibility of alien life

As barren as Mars might be, it seems to give us no shortage of hints at the potential existence of extra-terrestrial life forms. One such piece of supposed evidence comes in another of these bizarre pictures from Mars, which seems to show a light on the Red Planet's horizon. If nothing lives there, what could cause something like this?

Naturally, some people were hopeful that this 2014 image from the Curiosity rover was a clear indication of Martian life. Unfortunately, one of NASA's scientists, Doug Ellison, downplayed this possibility. According to him, the glint was simply caused by high-energy particles in space causing a cosmic ray hit. Once again, the evidence of aliens falls flat.

What appear to be scratch marks on Mars' surface are simply a natural phenomenon

Scratch marks are usually an indication that something ferocious may be nearby. If that's the case, what does this picture say about potential life lurking on Mars? After all, these marks conceivably look like they've been caused by nails or claws. However, what sort of creature could be responsible for this? Do we even want to know?

Thankfully, it seems we don't need to worry about Martians with dozens of claws making their way to Earth. According to NASA, these lines are simply the result of dry ice sliding down the slopes of sand dunes. They explained as much after sharing this photo from their Reconnaissance Orbiter in 2017. Isn't that a relief?

The "Happy Face" crater has changed quite a bit over the years

The exploration of Mars isn't anything new. NASA and other space agencies have been trying to see more of the planet for decades now. As the technology has improved, it's become easier to cover more ground and identify changes in the landscape. That's why we're able to see comparisons like this, which were taken nine years apart.

The left image was reportedly snapped by the Reconnaissance Orbiter in 2011, while the right image was taken in 2020. As you can see, there have been some notable changes throughout the 2010s, and that's reportedly down to changing frost cover. That's why the more recent picture of the "Happy Face" crater is noticeably darker than the older one.

Part of Mars' surface appears to be written in morse code

You might not find any texts written in English on Mars, but what about morse code? That's what some people believe the Reconnaissance Orbiter discovered in February 2016 when it snapped this shot of the Red Planet. All these ridges certainly appear to be in the shape of the dashes and dots that make up morse code.

However, before you start wondering if this is truly a message from another planet, we have some bad news. It seems when you translate the image into morse code, it doesn't actually come out as anything intelligible. According to Veronica Bray, the planetary scientist who decoded it, the ridges read: “NEE NED ZB 6TNN DEIBEDH SIEFI EBEEE SSIEI ESEE SEEE.”

What looks like a crater is actually an unusual formation of sand dunes and boulders

Over the years, plenty of objects have crashed into Mars' surface, some of which have come from this planet. So, you might see this next picture and assume that this is also the site of a past crash landing. However, it appears that's not the case. Instead, it's actually a formation allegedly made up of boulders and sand dunes.

It was pictured in 2017 by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in an area called the Noctis Labyrinthus. The surrounding area is made up of sand dunes, which have also formed on the inside. According to NASA, the crater-like formation is "heavily eroded" and is likely made of “sedimentary deposits that are being exhumed as it erodes.”

A deep pit around Mars' south pole has perplexed NASA

NASA and other space agencies tend to have an answer for all these unusual sites they uncover on Mars. Even though they've never actually been on the planet, their technology and scientific understanding are able to fill in a lot of the gaps. However, there are still some things on the Red Planet that they can't explain.

It appears that the next of these unusual photos from Mars is one such example. This image was captured by the Reconnaissance Orbiter over the planet's south pole and revealed quite a perplexing sight indeed. Along with the depressions and craters created by carbon dioxide, there was a large hole that left NASA stumped when they set eyes on it.

Some rock formations on Mars appear to take the shape of humanoid figures

There's nothing that confirms the existence of alien life on Mars more than actually seeing another being on the planet. Some people would say that's what these photos show, or at least statues made in the likeness of something. However, as has been the recurring theme with these unusual images from Mars, all is not as it seems.

In both cases, it seems that the figures are actually just very convincing rock formations. If we were to get a closer shot of the supposed statues or see them from another angle, we'd likely realize that there isn't actually anything unusual about them. That doesn't mean there isn't potentially alien life out there somewhere on Mars.