This unusual object was snapped by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in July 2008. Shown here from two angles, it appears to be a tall, thin structure jutting out of the ground in an otherwise empty part of the Martian surface. The fact that it stands so straight and thin in the middle of nowhere gives it a rather artificial appearance. In fact, it's not unlike the black monolith that appears in Kubrik's 2001: A Space Odyssey. Evidence of a lost civilisation perhaps? NASA, of course, state that this is not some kind of obelisk built by the Martians but a natural phenomenon. They theorise that the object fell from a nearby cliff and became embedded in the ground on impact. There are in fact a few of these monoliths dotted around the solar system, which may be evidence for the fact that this is something that occurs naturally (unless there are intelligent aliens building these things all over the place). Buzz Aldrin, the second man to step off Armstrong's lunar lander, appeared on American cable network C-SPAN in 2009 and mentioned a similar natural object on Phobos, one of Mars' two moons. But I refute all suggestions that this wasn't put there by an extraterrestrial; I like to think it's a cenotaph that was erected in memory of the fallen soldier who once wore that World War 1 helmet. Lest we forget.
Peter Austin initially joined WhatCulture as an occasional contributor to our Film, Gaming and Science sections, but made the mistake of telling us that he'd been making videos in his bedroom for over a decade. Since then he's been a vital member of our YouTube team and routinely sets the standard for smart-casual wear in the office.
