Space & Astronomy

'Morse code' pattern covers sand dune on Mars

By T.K. Randall
July 12, 2016 ·  13 comments

The sand dune patterns resemble Morse code. Image Credit: NASA / JPL / University of Arizona The intriguing phenomenon, which had never been observed before, was picked up on camera just to the south of the planet's north pole within a natural circular depression on the surface.

Far from being an extraterrestrial message however this unique pattern is believed to have been produced by the wind in much the same way as the sand dunes typically found here on Earth.

What makes these formations particularly unusual in this case are the isolated 'dots' which seem to have been created by something interrupting the production of the linear dunes.So far however scientists have been unable to determine what is causing this to happen.

As for the idea that these dots and dashes contain a hidden message - NASA planetary scientist Veronica Bray has actually taken the time to translate them in to English:

NEE NED ZB 6TNN DEIBEDH SIEFI EBEEE SSIEI ESEE SEEE

It would seem fair to assume that the dunes really are little more than a natural formation.

Source: Science Alert | Comments (13)

Tags: Mars