[ExI] Ruins of Mars

[BillK]

On Sun, 2 Feb 2025 at 18:53, Adrian Tymes via extropy-chat <
extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org> wrote:

> On Sun, Feb 2, 2025 at 12:40 PM Stuart LaForge via extropy-chat <
> extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org> wrote:
>
>> What are the chances that near perfect square under the sand with
>> straight lines and corners are a natural phenomenon?
>>
>
> The specific one on Mars?  Close enough to 100%.
> _______________________________________________
>


ChatGPT Reasoning says the same (but with many more words!)
BillK

CHATGPT with Reasoning -

I looked into the claims surrounding the image (often circulated online as
evidence of “ruins” on Mars) and the accompanying discussions. Here’s a
summary of what is generally known and what the current consensus is:
------------------------------
1. *Image Analysis and Context*

   -

   *Natural Geological Formations:*
   Mars is a planet with a rich geological history. Many of the “anomalies”
   that some claim to be ruins (or other artificial structures) are, upon
   closer inspection, consistent with natural rock formations. Variations in
   lighting, shadows, and resolution can sometimes cause our brains to “see”
   patterns or familiar shapes—a well-known phenomenon called *pareidolia*.
   -

   *Image Quality and Processing:*
   Many of these images, including the one you linked, are of relatively
   low resolution and may have been processed or cropped to emphasize features
   that seem suggestive of human-made structures. In most cases, when the same
   regions are examined with higher resolution or from multiple angles (using
   data from orbiters like the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter), the “structures”
   lose any suggestion of intentional design.
   -

   *Comparison with Historical Cases:*
   A notable example is the “Face on Mars” in the Cydonia region.
   Originally photographed by Viking orbiters in the 1970s, subsequent
   missions with better imaging technology revealed that it was simply a
   natural mesa. The current image appears to fall into a similar category of
   misinterpretation.

------------------------------
2. *Internet Discussions and Community Consensus*

   -

   *Speculative Forums and Conspiracy Theories:*
   On various internet forums, groups of enthusiasts sometimes highlight
   such images as evidence for ancient Martian civilizations or as proof of
   cover-ups. These discussions are often fueled by low-resolution images,
   selective cropping, and a focus on features that seem “unnaturally” regular
   or symmetrical.
   -

   *Scientific Skepticism:*
   In contrast, the vast majority of planetary geologists and researchers
   are very cautious about making claims based solely on imagery without
   robust corroborating evidence. The scientific community agrees that all
   high-resolution imaging to date (from missions such as Mars Global
   Surveyor, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, and others) supports a picture of
   Mars as a planet dominated by natural geological processes.
   -

   *Lack of Supporting Evidence:*
   Despite decades of Mars exploration, there has been no reliable,
   independently verified evidence of artificial structures or ruins. The
   internet discussions that promote these claims generally do so without
   peer-reviewed support. Instead, they rely on subjective interpretations of
   ambiguous visuals.

------------------------------
3. *Conclusion*

Based on the available evidence and the prevailing scientific opinion:

   - *The image in question is most likely a product of natural rock
   formations combined with lighting effects and resolution limitations.*
   - *Internet discussions promoting the idea of “Martian ruins” are
   largely speculative and not supported by the broader planetary science
   community.*
   - *Extraordinary claims—such as the existence of an ancient civilization
   on Mars—require extraordinary evidence, which has not been provided by this
   image or related analyses.*

In summary, while the image can be intriguing and may spark the
imagination, the consensus based on current data and expert analysis is
that it does not provide evidence of artificial structures or ruins on Mars.
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