NASA scientists discover unknown rock shaped like a skull on Mars
In this DML Report…
NASA’s Perseverance rover captured images of a skull-shaped rock, dubbed “Skull Hill,” while descending Witch Hazel Hill in Mars’ Jezero Crater, a 28-mile-wide basin believed to have once been a lake. Unlike the surrounding light-colored, dusty terrain, the rock is dark, angular, and pockmarked with tiny pits, making it stand out. Margaret Deahn, a Ph.D. student at Purdue University working with NASA, noted that the rock appears out of place, possibly a “float” rock displaced by erosion, an ancient impact, or other natural forces.
Initial speculation suggested Skull Hill could be a meteorite, but analysis using Perseverance’s SuperCam laser on a nearby similar rock ruled this out, as it lacked high iron and nickel levels typical of space rocks. Another theory posits it may be an igneous rock formed from cooled lava or magma millions or billions of years ago. NASA plans further tests to determine its chemical composition and origin, leveraging the rover’s advanced instruments. The rock’s pitted surface may result from wind erosion or weathering of embedded minerals.
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The discovery has sparked interest among scientists and the public, with some on X noting its resemblance to volcanic glass like obsidian. NASA emphasizes that such finds are key to understanding Mars’ geological history and potential past habitability. The agency continues to analyze Skull Hill to uncover clues about the Red Planet’s ancient environment. No evidence suggests the rock is anything but a natural formation, despite its striking appearance.