NASA has a new Mars mystery on its hands thanks to one of its rovers — artificial light.
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., received images from the Red Planet last week that seem to contain artificial light emanating from the ground, the Houston Chronicle reported.
In February, NASA had the “jelly doughnut” rock mystery to solve, which turned out to simply be the underside of a stone kicked up by the Opportunity rover’s wheels. The agency may still be stumped with the current image, as it has not yet released a statement regarding the light.
That hasn’t stopped individuals from coming to conclusions that would make H.G. Wells proud.
“This could indicate there there is intelligent life below the ground and uses light as we do,” the website UFO Sightings Daily read on April 6, according to the Chronicle. “This is not a glare from the sun, nor is it an artifact of the photo process.”
Regardless, Mars watchers have another light story to focus on Tuesday: Mars, Earth and the sun will line up for the first time in two years. Due to the orbital alignment, Mars will be visible throughout the night. Sky watchers merely need to look for an orange glow starting around sunset.
SEE ALSO: Mars mystery: ‘Jelly doughnut’ rock baffles NASA
NASA reported that the planet will be roughly 10 times brighter than the brightest stars in the sky during the “opposition” orbit, USA Today reported.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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