NASA's Perseverance rover discovered a strange, skull-shaped rock formation on Mars, and sent the scientific world and space nerds into fits. The otherworldly rock, dubbed "Skull Hill", was viewed on April 11 as the rover descended the slope of a hill known as Witch Hazel Hill in the Jezero Crater — an 28-mile-wide basin theorized to contain a massive ancient Martian lake.

Skull Hill Looks Out Of Place

Unlike the typically light-colored, dusty Martian terrain, Skull Hill appears dark, angular, and covered in tiny pits, suggesting it may not belong to the immediate area.

"Visually, it's unlike anything else surrounding it," said Margaret Deahn, a Purdue University Ph.D. student who has been collaborating with NASA's Mars research team. Deahn described how the rock's odd properties suggest that it may be "float" — a geological term for rocks that have been displaced from their original position by natural means.

Was It Dropped There By An Ancient Force?

The team speculates that Skull Hill could have been knocked off by erosion, an ancient impact, or a cataclysmic natural event, and transported to its present location over thousands or even millions of years.

On initial observation, the shape raised questions among scientists if it were a meteorite. However, by employing the rover's SuperCam, which is a laser-based tool with the ability to examine rock chemistry, scientists put that theory aside. The rocks in the surrounding area did not have the same high iron and nickel composition seen in meteorites, proving that it is not a space rock.

Is It Volcanic In Nature?

A different theory proposes that Skull Hill could be igneous — a type of rock created when lava or magma cool and harden. This is a hint that the area previously had volcanic activity.

"Fortunately for us, the rover carries instruments that can analyze the chemical makeup of rocks on Mars," Deahn explained to The New York Post, adding that additional testing is being conducted to figure out its exact origin.

A Baffling Hint In The Quest For Mars' Past

The finding of Skull Hill joins the list of strange Martian rock formations that could offer hints about the Red Planet's geological past. As the Perseverance rover keeps exploring the Jezero Crater, scientists are hoping more of these anomalies will give them a glimpse into past water activity, climate, and even evidence of ancient life on Mars.