Are the images from Mars that show spheres, etc. real?
Executive summary
Images of spherical objects on Mars published by NASA and covered widely in the press are authentic rover photos showing millimeter‑scale spherules embedded in rocks; NASA and mission teams describe them as natural features likely formed by impacts or volcanism rather than artificial structures [1] [2]. Separately, viral videos and doctored stills that massively enlarge Mars in the sky or add creatures to rover photos have been debunked by fact‑checkers and scientists [3] [4].
1. What the official images actually show: spherule‑studded rocks, not “alien balls”
NASA’s Perseverance rover captured close‑up mosaics that show rocks covered in hundreds of millimeter‑scale spheres (spherules); the mission team published those mosaics and blog posts describing the “St. Pauls Bay” / Rowsell Hill targets and noting the images were taken in March–July 2025 on specific sols of the mission [1] [2]. Science coverage (Space.com, Astrobiology) repeats the same basic observation: the spheres are real features in the rover images and are being studied by the science team [5] [6].
2. Scientists’ interpretation: geological origins are the leading explanations
NASA’s writeups and reporting emphasize geological formation mechanisms: basaltic spherules likely formed by molten rock droplets from meteor impacts or volcanic activity, or by diagenetic processes where fluids alter sediments — not by biological or constructed origins [2] [7]. NASA explicitly frames the spherules as an opportunity to learn about Mars’ impact history and interior processes [2].
3. Why these images fuel speculation — and how the agencies respond
Striking, nearly “perfect” spheres naturally invite sensational claims online; media outlets and conspiracy channels have previously highlighted similar features (e.g., “blueberries”) and sometimes used dramatic language [8]. NASA and mission communicators provide context (dates, instrument names, explanations about composition and likely formation) to push the public conversation toward scientific interpretations rather than sensational ones [1] [2].
4. Distinguishing authentic rover/orbiter photos from manipulated visuals
Fact‑checking outlets and scientists have repeatedly identified widely shared Mars visuals as fake or altered: a viral clip showing an oversized Mars in Earth’s sky was confirmed as digitally manipulated and unrelated imagery were combined, and an altered Perseverance image with an added “fly” was exposed by Reuters fact‑checkers [3] [4]. These examples illustrate that some striking Mars visuals circulating online are not authentic mission data.
5. How to verify Mars imagery yourself — trusted sources to consult
For original, unedited images and mission notes, consult NASA Science pages and mission blogs where images are captioned with instrument, sol, and context (Perseverance, Mastcam‑Z, SuperCam RMI etc.) — NASA has published the spherule posts and image resources referenced here [2] [1] [9]. Major news outlets that relay NASA releases (The New York Times, Space.com, Astrobiology) cite the same primary data and team statements [10] [5] [6].
6. What remains unresolved and where caution is required
While images and initial compositional inferences are published, the precise formation history of these particular spherules is still under scientific examination; NASA notes the team “continues to search for answers” and offers multiple plausible geological processes [2]. Available sources do not mention definitive laboratory analyses proving a single origin for all observed spherules — the science is ongoing [2] [1].
7. The broader context: Mars imagery is plentiful and often misrepresented
NASA and other missions regularly release large image sets (orbiters, rovers, heliophysics missions), and these legitimate data releases are the basis for most reputable reporting [10] [9]. At the same time, some outlets and social media accounts repurpose or doctor images for clicks, so cross‑checking against NASA’s image archives and mission posts reduces the chance of being misled [4] [3].
Bottom line: the small, nearly spherical objects seen in Perseverance images are real features captured by rover cameras and are being studied as geological spherules with likely volcanic or impact origins [1] [2]. However, dramatic viral clips or photos that show an enormous Mars in the sky or add insects/objects to rover photos have been debunked; verify suspect images against NASA’s official releases and mission documentation [3] [4] [9].