Martian Footprint Lookalikes Uncovered by Curiosity in Mount Sharp Bedrock

NASA’s Curiosity rover photographed broad, shallow pits in Mount Sharp’s bedrock that resemble footprints, but scientists say they’re weathering pits created when resistant nodules or pebbles erode away. MAHLI, Mastcam, and ChemCam captured stereo mosaics and helped build a digital elevation model to study the rock’s stratigraphy. There’s no evidence of a Martian creature—the “footprints” are geological features; earlier so‑called jellyfish sightings were likely camera artifacts. The rover, now in its 14th year, also continues to reveal intriguing Martian geology, including honeycomb-like polygons in the Antofagasta crater.