Mysterious Square "Structure" Spotted on Mars? Not So Fast

_{Via Nasa}

Here we go again. Every now and then, the internet collectively loses its mind over something "amazing" spotted on Mars, and I have to be the one to step in and gently remind everyone: it's probably nothing. Remember the infamous "Face on Mars"? Or the "Door on Mars"? Oh, and let's not forget the time people claimed to see Bigfoot chilling on the red planet (because that totally checks out).

This time, the buzz is all about a so-called "ancient square structure" on Mars. The image making the rounds was actually snapped back in 2001 by NASA's Mars Orbiter Camera, but it's gone viral recently because, well, "Perfectly square ancient structure discovered on Mars!!!" is clickbait gold. How could it not spread like wildfire?

But let's pump the brakes for a second. Instead of diving into geological explanations or pointing out examples of naturally occurring square-ish rock formations here on Earth (as many science influencers are doing), let me just state the obvious: It's not even a square. Seriously, just look at it. There's one so called "corner" in the bottom left, and the rest? That's your brain filling in the gaps. It's like seeing shapes in clouds—your imagination does most of the heavy lifting.

And yes, even if it were square, square rock formations are not exactly alien architecture. They happen on Earth all the time. Case closed.

But you know what is exciting? Actual Martian science. Just last week, researchers found evidence of ancient wave ripples on Mars—fossilized signs of shallow, open bodies of water that weren't covered by ice. Now that's worth talking about! Unfortunately "Wave ripples formed in ancient, ice-free lakes in Gale Crater" isn't as eye catching as "Scientists are baffled by ancient alien structures on mars". So, let's stop chasing imaginary alien ruins and start appreciating the real wonders of the red planet.