Nasa finds mysterious Skull Hill on Mars

Mars continues to surprise scientists with its strange landscapes. The latest curiosity? A dark, oddly shaped rock that NASA has nicknamed “Skull Hill” – but don’t worry, it’s not actual alien remains.

What Did Perseverance Find?

NASA’s Perseverance rover, exploring Mars since 2021, captured an image of a peculiar rock in Jezero Crater – the same area where a famous “face” illusion was spotted decades ago. The rock stands out because:

• It’s much darker than the surrounding reddish terrain

• Has an angular, pitted surface

• Resembles a human skull when viewed from certain angles

What Could It Be?

Scientists have a few theories:

1. A Meteorite?

   • Its dark color matches some Martian meteorites

   • But nearby rock analysis suggests it’s probably not space debris

2. Volcanic Rock?

   • Mars has volcanoes, so it could be cooled lava

   • Might contain dark minerals like olivine or pyroxene

3. Ejected Impact Debris?

   • Could have been thrown there by a meteor strike

Margaret Deahn, a PhD student working with NASA, said: “We’re studying these dark rocks to figure out where they came from.”

Mars’ History of ‘Strange’ Sightings

This isn’t the first time Mars has fooled us:

• 1976: The “Face on Mars” (later proved to be shadows on a hill)

• 2018: A “shiny spoon” (just a weirdly shaped rock)

• 2022: A “doorway” (actually a small crack)

Most turn out to be tricks of light and imagination – what scientists call “pareidolia” (seeing familiar shapes in random objects).

Why Jezero Crater?

Perseverance is exploring this area because:

• It was once a lake (could hold clues about ancient life)

• The river delta may preserve fossilized microbes

• Diverse geology helps scientists understand Mars’ history

What’s Next?

While “Skull Rock” is fascinating, NASA confirms it’s just geology – not proof of Martians. The rover will continue:

• Taking high-resolution photos

• Analyzing rock compositions

• Collecting samples for future return to Earth