A strangely shaped object photographed on the Martian surface has reignited bizarre theories about extraterrestrial life on the Red Planet.

The picture, captured by NASA's Opportunity rover in 2014, recently resurfaced online after social media users claimed the object resembles an 'alien gun.'

Scott C Waring, a Martian researcher from 'UFO Sighting Daily,' suggested the 'gun' is evidence of why NASA sent a rover to Mars to retrieve alien technology.

'Alien gun on Mars photos, only one still exists, others deleted by NASA,' Waring shared on X on Tuesday.

The image was first circulated by Waring in 2016, writing in a blog post that the supposed weapon was 'about one foot long.'

'I have to admit... It's incredible,' he shared. 'The exact location of the gun is at SOL 3773, which is between Mt Edgecumbe and Wdowiak Ridge.'

NASA's Opportunity rover landed on Mars on January 25, 2004, touching down in a small impact crater known as Eagle Crater on the Meridiani Planum.

However, the robot fell silent in June 2018 during a severe, planet-wide dust storm that blocked sunlight from reaching its panels. After spending months attempting to re-establish contact, NASA officially declared the mission complete in February 2019.

The picture, captured by NASA's Opportunity rover in 2014, recently resurfaced online after social media users claimed the object resembles an ' alien gun.'

Roswell footage uploaded to National Archives shows crashed 'UFO debris and alien bodies'

However, it seems the UFO researchers' claims are nothing more than a case of pareidolia, a psychological response to seeing faces and other significant and everyday items.

While Waring is sure Opportunity spotted a gun on the Martian landscape, others believe otherwise.

One X user commented: 'I'm not an expert, but I believe this is a rock....'

While another joked: 'Why would aliens have guns designed for human hands and fingers? lol.'

Waring has been sharing bizarrely shaped rocks on the Red Planet for about a decade now, with one in 2016 that he claimed was a shoe.

'While looking through some Mars rover photos, I found a lone shoe on the edge of the crater,' he wrote on his website.

‘This is probably a shoe of a species that was at war long ago, the shoe being the lone evidence that the person had ever existed.’

The discovery was spotted on August 24, 2016, however, the original photo from the Opportunity was taken in 2013.

The image was first circulated by Warning in 2016, writing in a blog post that the supposed weapon was 'about one foot long'

Waring has been sharing bizarrely shaped rocks on the Red Planet for about a decade now, with one in 2016 that he claimed was a shoe

The NASA image shows a cluster of rocks spread out on the dusty planet, and the lone shoe can be seen to the right among the rubble, which may also just be another rock.

However, Waring is sure this ‘shoe’ is all that is left of a soldier who lost their life on the battlefield.

‘How many times on a battlefield or at a catastrophic event have we seen photos in the newspaper of the shoes of victims…alone…evidence of how hard they were hit, how fast they were taken from us? Well, this is such evidence,’ he wrote.

7 Rams Fighting for Their Next Contract With Everything to Prove

Blaine Grisak|

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Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams enter a season in which several players will be playing on the final years of their contracts. Several of those players will have more to prove than others. If they prove themselves, it may be enough to convince the Rams to give them an extension. Let’s take a look at seven players with the most to prove in the last year of their contract.

WR Puka Nacua

As Puka Nacua made a case for the 2025 Offensive Player of the Year award, it almost felt like a guarantee that he would be someone the Rams would want to prioritize for an extension. However, following Nacua’s offseason drama, that no longer seems to be the case.

That’s not to say that the Rams won’t re-sign Nacua, but they may wait until the middle of the season or even after itv to get something done. It also wouldn’t be surprising to see the Rams place the franchise tag on Nacua before making a long-term investment. Over the next six months, Nacua needs to prove he is mature enough to handle a large contract.

Current Market Value: 4 years, $160.79 million

LG Steve Avila and RG Kevin Dotson

The Rams will have a decision to make this offseason when it comes to Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson. Given the other contracts that need to get done, it seems unlikely that the Rams will be able to bring back both players.

Avila would make a lot of sense as he is the younger of the two players. However, he needs to show consistency and that he can be someone the team can build around on the offensive line. Dotson is the leader of the offensive line and is possibly favored right now to get an extension. With Dotson out because of an ankle injury last season, it became evident how important he was to the offense.

Avila’s Market Value: 4 years, $54.23 million
Dotson’s Market Value: 3 years, $58.3 million

RT Warren McClendon

Back in 2022, the Rams had spent four years developing Joe Noteboom to take over for Andrew Whitworth. Despite limited starting experience, the Rams gave Noteboom an extension and paid him like a starting left tackle.

With McClendon, the Rams will have the benefit of seeing him over the course of a full season. While the Rams didn’t add competition, they have given McClendon the opportunity to prove himself before earning starter-caliber money.

Current Market Value: N/A

DT Kobie Turner

Turner is someone who the Rams will very likely prioritize when it comes to giving him a contract extension. He’s been one of the most important players on the defensive line and is someone they can build around.

Still, Turner will need to prove that he’s worth a big contract. He’s set to get paid as one of the top defensive linemen in the NFL and needs to show another level in 2026.

Current Market Value: 4 years, $129.29 million

EDGE Byron Young

When the Rams extended Myles Garrett, they essentially said that Byron Young won’t be back in 2027. That’s not necessarily the wrong decision, but it’s the fact of the situation. It would be nearly impossible for the Rams to pay two top-level edge rushers.

Young has proven that he can be productive, but is he more than just an EDGE2 on a defense? Given that Young is older, this could be his one opportunity to cash in big on the free agent market. Another productive season and a team will pay him a lot of money next offseason. Unfortunately, that team may not be the Rams.

Current Market Value: 4 years, $120.2 million

CB Emmanuel Forbes

When the Rams claimed Emmanuel Forbes off waivers in 2024, it was a low-risk, high-reward type move. This past offseason, they declined his fifth-year option, which adds some uncertainty to his future with the team.

Just because the Rams declined his option doesn’t mean they couldn’t bring him back. However, Forbes has been inconsistent and hasn’t developed in his new environment as the Rams would have hoped. The potential is there, but he’s far too inconsistent to be relied on as a CB2. If Forbes proves that he can be reliable depth, he may be worth bringing back.

Current Market Value: 2 years, $9.48 million

Published 2 minutes ago

BLAINE GRISAK

Blaine Grisak is the Lead Publisher for Rams on SI covering the Los Angeles Rams. Prior to joining On Sports Illustrated, he covered the Rams for TurfShow Times, attending events such as the NFL Draft, NFL Combine, and Senior Bowl. A graduate of Northeastern University, Blaine grew up in Montana.

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