The UFO community is buzzing with excitement after a peculiar Tic-Tac-shaped object was spotted on Mars by NASA’s Curiosity Rover. The sighting occurred on Sol 2692 (March 3, 2020) and was captured by the Mast Camera (Mastcam). The object, estimated to be just millimeters in size, has sparked intense debate regarding its origins and significance.

The first image of the object was posted on r/UFOs, where users analyzed the peculiar shape, shadow, and reflectiveness of the anomaly. A close-up of the image shows a small, elongated object appearing to hover above the Martian surface. While some argue it could be an unusually shaped rock, others believe it might be something more significant.

Key Details of the Observation:

• Date & Time: March 3, 2020 (Sol 2692) at 02:32:29 UTC

• Location on Mars: Longitude 137.38077432°, Latitude -4.73673265°

• Size Estimate: 7.5 mm (based on calculations by Reddit user u/tweakingforjesus)

• Captured By: Curiosity Rover’s Mastcam

Adding to the mystery, a new image surfaced showing the same area without the Tic-Tac-shaped object. This discovery led to speculation that the object was either removed, relocated, or was never actually there in the first place. Some users suggested it might have been a transient object caught in a moment of motion, while others questioned if NASA had removed it from later images.

To better understand the object’s size and scale, Reddit user u/tweakingforjesus provided calculations using the metadata from the original Mastcam image. By applying trigonometry to the camera’s field of view and focal distance, the object's estimated length was calculated to be around 9 mm.

While some argue that the object is simply a small, rounded rock, others note the following anomalies:

• Its high reflectivity, which makes it stand out from the surrounding terrain.

• The shadow it casts, suggesting it could be slightly elevated above the surface.

• Its smooth, symmetrical shape, which is unusual for naturally occurring Mars rocks.

Interestingly, some users reported that NASA’s website no longer displays the original Mastcam/MAHLI images from Sol 2692, raising suspicions among UFO enthusiasts. However, archived screenshots and composite images still exist, preserving the discovery for further analysis. One Reddit user, Azuul, claimed that while color versions of the images were previously available, NASA now only hosts black-and-white versions. Whether this is a routine archival change or something more deliberate remains uncertain.

While the Tic-Tac object is small, it has sparked an important conversation about unexplained Martian phenomena. Astrophysicist Avi Loeb has previously emphasized the potential significance of tiny interstellar objects, such as the spherules he studies, which measure just a few millimeters in size but hold potential scientific importance. Even if this object turns out to be a simple rock, the meticulous analysis and curiosity it has inspired demonstrate the power of citizen science. Whether for ufology, planetary geology, or both, unexplained findings like this continue to push the boundaries of our understanding of Mars.