NASA Rover catches Amazing Image of Cat Loaf Rock on Mars

Cats. Cats are well-loved pets and companions. Who doesn't like such lovely creatures?

No one could think there would be any cats on the vast planet on Mars with rugged terrain. But one day, space experts found something unusual: a rock resembling a cat chilling on the surface in a comfortable loaf position.

The Science Times reported that the image of kooky cat loaf rock found on Mars became the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) week photo.

Photo by NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

NASA reports said that the Perseverance Rover took the cat-rock-looking photo in Jezero Crater on September 8, 2022. The space agency had a closer view of the image with NASA's advanced and mast-mounted cameras.

Moreover, the cat loaf rock image became trending on the internet for space, mars fans, and animal lovers. The photo of the rock shows a cuteness of a real cat.

The loaf is the cats' favorite position to relax or sleep. The position is the legs tucked under it while its tail is hidden. The Science Times reported that the phenomenon is called pareidolia. It means people seem to spot familiar objects from different random shapes, which is popular with Martian rocks with seemingly similar formations

Also Read: Solar Flare Alerts Raised After a Powerful Eruption on Sun's Farside Sunspot

NASA Rover

Photo illustration by NASA via Getty Images

According to NASA's Quick Facts about Mars 2020 Mission, the rover name is Perseverance, launched on July 30, 2020. The responsibility of the rover is to investigate signs of ancient life on Mars and collect samples from the planet.

On the other hand, NASA said that Curiosity landed on Mars in August 2012. Notable achievements by Curiosity are:

Captured 494,540 images
102 gigabytes of data to Earth
Curiosity's landing on Mars led to 883 science papers
Drilled safely 35 samples
Climbed more than 2,000 feet or 612 meters

Beyond the cat-looking rock, NASA's Perseverance captured a dramatic image of Mars' potato-shaped moon (called Phobos) crossing the Sun's face.

The space agency said the eclipse didn't even last 40 seconds, with durations shorter than a typical solar eclipse. The image is the latest for NASA to capture eclipses on Mars. Such observations are crucial for scientists to understand Mars, its moon's orbit, and the role of gravity.

Mars

The NASA Science Solar System Exploration explained that Mars is a small planet and one of the most explored in the solar system. Space agencies have sent rovers to discover more about Mars.

The report added that Mars has a thin atmosphere on its dusty and rocky rugged terrain surface. NASA said it is a planet with polar ice caps and extinct volcanoes.

Moreover, missions or explorations have continued to unveil new information on Mars.

Signs of ancient floods and salty water in the ground on Mars are also being investigated. However, water is present in icy dirt or thin clouds.

You can visit here to read about NASA programs and missions on other planets.