NASA discovers mysterious balanced rock on Mars, igniting debate over how it happened

A rock about the size of bowling ball was photographed precariously balanced atop a leaning boulder.

The find was announced just one day after NASA questioned whether “the wind” blew a piece of rocket insulation 1.2 miles away from the Perseverance Rover’s entry point on Mars.

https://www.facebook.com/NASAPersevere/photos/a.110522540557599/537483164528199/?type=3

A photo of the formation was shared June 16 on Facebook, and NASA says it’s in an area named “Hogwallow Flats.” Rocks in the area are believed to be “as old as 3.6 billion years.”

A rock about the size of bowling ball was photographed precariously balanced atop a leaning boulder.

The find was announced just one day after NASA questioned whether “the wind” blew a piece of rocket insulation 1.2 miles away from the Perseverance Rover’s entry point on Mars.

A photo of the formation was shared June 16 on Facebook, and NASA says it’s in an area named “Hogwallow Flats.” Rocks in the area are believed to be “as old as 3.6 billion years.”
“The nearby rocks are a sight to behold,” NASA reported. “Take a look at some of these close-ups. Tons of potential targets for study.”

NASA didn’t address the balanced rock specifically, likely knowing social media would point it out and raise questions. The post has since gotten 14,000 reactions and nearly 300 comments as of the morning of June 19, including some who called it “a Martian basketball.”

“Who balanced that rock!?” Stephen Bukowski asked.

“The shape of this rock is not natural,” Ahmad Ahmad Alawaj posted.

“Did you see an alien sitting on the rock?” Ravindu Nimsara asked.