In the ever-developing story of Mars exploration, our robotic emissaries occasionally encounter intriguing rock formations that capture our imaginations.
These extraterrestrial landscapes often feature puzzling sights that fuel our curiosity about the Red Planet.
One of those discoveries made headlines in June when the Mars Perseverance rover captured a series of images showing a striking donut-shaped rock.
While it may look delightful to look at, this unusual rock formation stands out clearly against the rugged terrain of Mars. Scientists from the Institute for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) suggested it could be “a large meteorite along with smaller pieces,” adding to the mysteries of Mars.
However, these remarkable finds are not limited to appetizing rock formations. Rovers have found numerous rocks that, at first glance, resemble familiar objects from our terrestrial kingdom.
Among these captivating sightings are a giant “shark fin” and a “crab claw.” While it may seem tempting to entertain the idea of Martian crab shark overlords, there is a more realistic explanation for these intriguing images.
The phenomenon at play here is known as pareidolia, a psychological tendency deeply rooted in our evolutionary history. Pareidolia refers to the human inclination to perceive meaningful patterns or shapes, often recognizable faces or objects, in random stimuli. This trend has a well-documented evolutionary basis.
The evolutionary meaning of pareidolia
Renowned scientist Carl Sagan proposed that pareidolia has played a crucial role in our survival as a species.. Early humans who quickly identified potential threats in their environment (such as a lurking lion or a menacing bear) had a better chance of surviving and passing on their genes. Whether it was a real danger or a mere illusion, the ability to discern patterns meant that they were better prepared to react and protect themselves.
Sagan’s theory suggests that our brain’s tendency to identify patterns where they may not exist was a valuable survival skill. He allowed us to err on the side of caution, even if it meant occasionally mistaking a rock for a lion. In essence, it is a “better safe than sorry” approach that has been ingrained in our psyche through generations of natural selection.
While it is an exciting journey of exploration, These peculiar rock formations on Mars may be the result of evolutionary surveillance of our own mind and not signs of extraterrestrial life.
Keep reading:
· NASA shares video of what a sunrise looks like from Mars and it is surprising
· Extraterrestrial life: What scientists answer when asked if there is life in the galaxy
· Repeated signals from the center of the Milky Way could be aliens waving, study says
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