A resurfaced photo from NASA's Curiosity rover has sparked online theories that Mars was once the site of an apocalyptic extraterrestrial war. UFO researcher Scott C Waring says the image shows an unexploded "alien missile" resting on the Martian surface, which he claims is proof of an ancient cosmic conflict that wiped out a thriving alien civilisation.
Waring's Claims and NASA's Response
Waring insists space agencies are keeping quiet about the find due to its dangerous military potential, speculating that world governments would launch a secret race to retrieve the advanced technology. He estimates the object measures roughly eight feet long. However, NASA has not given weight to his theories, maintaining the object is simply a natural rock formation with no indication of alien origins or weaponry.
Space scientists point out that billions of years of intense volcanic activity, meteor strikes, and harsh wind erosion have carved out countless bizarre formations on Mars. Experts attribute these sightings to pareidolia—the psychological phenomenon where human minds spot familiar shapes and patterns in random objects.
Social Media Reactions
The unusual shape has sparked fierce debate online. While some agree with Waring's missile theory, others believe it could be a downed UFO. One Facebook user suggested the long, narrow structure featured two distinct compartments, one packed with "packages", and argued that broken wings point to it being "most likely" an alien craft. Another user added: "Would be cool if it actually was a crashed ship?"
Earlier 'Alien Door' Claim
The missile claim comes shortly after Waring pointed to another photo taken inside Gale Crater, claiming it showed an ancient extraterrestrial home with a carved doorway. Waring said: "What looks like cut boulders is actually clay-type walls and an entrance way made by intelligent beings who needed protection from the elements." He added: "Chances of intelligent beings creating this structure...100 percent."
NASA has not commented on his latest claim, but previously debunked a similar "alien door" photo captured on Mount Sharp in 2022. Explaining that phenomenon, NASA said: "The mound, on Mount Sharp, has a number of naturally occurring open fractures – including one roughly 12 inches (30 centimetres) tall and 16 inches (40 centimetres) wide, similar in size to a dog door. These kinds of open fractures are common in bedrock, both on Earth and on Mars."
Sceptics online remain unconvinced by Waring's claims. Commenting on the "dwelling" image, one X user wrote: "Nah, just a rock formation. I definitely think it's possible that entrances could be there, but this just looks like a shadow." NASA maintains there is currently no evidence of extraterrestrial life, past or present, on Mars as Curiosity continues its mission to explore the Red Planet.
