Flower Fossil Found on Mars? (Photo)

The Curiosity rover took a photo of what looks like a fossilized, crystalline "flower" on the surface of Mars. What is it?

The picture, snapped in late December, is a closeup shot of the Martian surface which eerily resembles similar finds on Earth. Soon after the image was released to the public, the picture went viral on the web and ignited the old debate: Is there life on Mars?

According to Discovery News, the anomaly hasn't been studied in full. Yet. But officials were quick to point out that the unusually shaped formation is unlikely to be something which fell off the Curiosity rover itself.

NASA spokesman Guy Webster was quoted as saying the object "appears to be part of the rock, not debris from the spacecraft," in an email answer to a reporter's inquiry.

Water has almost certainly flowed on Mars in the past, so discovery of fossilized plants is a possibility. The poles on the planet are lightly covered by ice, and water molecules have been found on meteorites from the red planet which have struck the Earth.

Undoubtedly the investigation will continue and a simpler explanation may be offered. But, if the object is found to indeed be a fossilized flower on Mars, it may be the most important scientific find in history.

What do you think? Is this a fossil on Mars? Or just a naturally occurring sedimentary phenomenon?

Comments: 12

Hyper Intellect Jan 5, 2013, 12:33am UTC

Jebus pancakes found here on Earth are far more amazing.

Hyper Intellect Jan 5, 2013, 11:42am UTC

And more delicious.

Becky Paulsen Jan 6, 2013, 4:05pm UTC

I don't know what kind of Hippie/Punk pancakes they make in Seattle, but a little further north you won't find anyone that would eat a sloppy mess like that--geez, Hyper, you need to find a better eatery! It's not like there aren't lots to choose from!

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Rick McGirr Jan 5, 2013, 4:56am UTC

I think we may have to develop contingency plans if Earth becomes inhospitable. Not only that, but I would love humans to keep exploring space and finding ways to expand our knowledge and our presence. This picture doesn't show me anything obvious or dramatic, but I have seen some that suggest that water may have at some time flowed on the surface of Mars. Once some evidence of life is found, the whole game will change.

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