Image: NASA/JPL
The red planet is the proverbial gift that keeps on giving. Now, a mysterious string-like object is at the center of attention of those who are convinced there is more to Mars than meets the digital rover's eye. The curious oddity was first spotted by the Perseverance Rover, and since the image's release by NASA last week, it has taken on a life of its own.
For quite a few decades now, footage of various planetary probes has depicted unusual formations that many believe are incontrovertible signs that Mars had a thriving civilization at one time. From helmets, to humanoid figures, to ginormous faces, pyramids, petrified flowers, and doors; the planet has become a projection screen for all of our hopes and dreams of finding out whether we are (or were) not alone in the universe.
The mystery bundle of strings, which suddenly vanished on subsequent photographs, is most likely a piece of debris left over from Perseverance’s landing, an NASA spokesperson told media outlets. Powerful winds and even the occasional dust tornado are known to batter the arid surface of Mars. As more man-made exploratory vehicles continue to arrive there, the chances of encountering Earth detritus blown by the wind will become a common occurrence.