Categories: Science

NASA Stares Down at Mars, Sees Bear’s Face Staring Back

A formation on the surface of Mars sure looks like a bear’s face looking back up at NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona

This story is part of Welcome to Mars, our series exploring the red planet.

Is that you, Smokey? NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter snapped a view of Mars that should trigger your pareidolia instincts. Pareidolia is the human tendency to see familiar objects in random shapes. In this case, it’s totally a bear.

The University of Arizona runs the HiRise (High Resolution Imaging Experiment) camera on board MRO. It featured the bear-like formation as a HiRise image of the day on Wednesday. 

The “face,” captured by MRO in December, is bigger than your average bear. A version of the image with a scale shows it stretches roughly 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) across.

Mars pits: Gaze into the abyss with these wild NASA images


+16 more

See all photos

Since we’ve established this isn’t a real bear’s face or even bear art made by Mars’ nonexistent intelligent aliens, what is it? “There’s a hill with a V-shaped collapse structure (the nose), two craters (the eyes), and a circular fracture pattern (the head),” the HiRise team said. “The circular fracture pattern might be due to the settling of a deposit over a buried impact crater.” The nose might be formed by a volcanic or mud vent, so the material deposited over the crater could be lava or mud. 

HiRise has a knack for finding imaginative faces on Mars. There’s the Happy Face Crater, Beaker from The Muppet Show and, oddly enough, Ed Asner. So spotting a bear’s mug is just another day on the red planet. Said the HiRise team, “Maybe just grin and bear it.”

Share

Recent Posts

Iran, US begin negotiations over Tehran’s advancing nuclear program

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for April 25 Fox News Flash top headlines…

9 minutes ago

Who will attend Pope Francis’ funeral?

close Video How Pope Francis' example 'sounds a lot like Jesus' Theologian and Fox News…

2 hours ago

Mexican migrant Wisconsin judge accused of helping evade ICE faces domestic abuse charges; had been deported

close Video Buck Sexton: Everyone who thinks the law doesn't count needs to be put…

7 hours ago

Famed stunt pilot was in contact with control tower prior to fatal crash at Langley Air Force Base

close Video Famed stunt pilot was talking to air traffic controllers prior to fatal crash…

7 hours ago

ICE Denver arrests Tren de Aragua member with multiple criminal convictions

close Video Ex-New Mexico judge, wife arrested for allegedly harboring illegal Tren de Aragua member…

7 hours ago

Florida doorbell camera captures alligator up on hind legs, ‘knocking’ on door

close Video Alligator knocks on door at Florida home The uninvited visitor at the Lake…

7 hours ago