Life on Mars? This professor claims to have photographic evidence
What's the story
We all see Mars as a potentially viable candidate in the search of alien life. The planet had water in the past, which, many believe, might have contributed to an environment allowing life to thrive in the past. However, an Ohio-based professor has a different opinion; he says that life exists on Mars 'today' and claims to have photographic evidence. Take it with a pinch of salt.
Claim
Insect-like life forms on Red Planet, says William Romoser
Just recently, William Romoser, a professor emeritus specializing in arbovirology and entomology at Ohio University, spoke at the national meeting of the Entomological Society of America and announced, "There has been and still is life on Mars." He said insect-like life forms are present on the Red Planet and claimed to have photographic evidence to prove the same - photos from NASA's Mars rovers.
Assertment
Images of both fossilized and living creatures
Romoser made the bold claim solely on the basis of his interpretation of the photographs shared by NASA. In fact, he said the life forms seen in the pictures, which include both living and fossilized creatures, look eerily similar to bees and reptiles found here on Earth. Notably, the professor also shared a fully labeled photograph of one of these alleged Martian creatures.
Quote
He even thinks there's a diversity in Martian fauna
"There is apparent diversity among the Martian insect-like fauna which display many features similar to Terran insects that are interpreted as advanced groups - for example, the presence of wings, wing flexion, agile gliding/flight, and variously structured leg elements," Romoser said about the alleged creatures.
Response
NASA categorically denied the claims
Following Romoser's claim, NASA and other researchers chipped in, saying that alien life forms have not been discovered on Mars, at least not yet. "The collective general opinion of the large majority of the scientific community is that current conditions on the surface of Mars are not suitable for liquid water or complex life," NASA Public Affairs Officer, Alana Johnson, told Fox News.
Response #2
Perhaps, the professor is seeing patterns in random data
Along with NASA, Professor David Maddison from Oregon State University also denied Romoser's claim. He says it is just a case of pareidolia, where the professor is seeing a pattern in random data. "I do not think there are insects on Mars," Maddison told Space.com, adding that "the photographs...are entirely unconvincing" and the objects seen are nothing but simple Martian rocks.