Chilean experts rule out existence of "Mars Mermaid"

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SANTIAGO.- After images that were released by the Spirit explorer apparently showed a human figure on Mars, astrological photographer Arturo Gómez of Cerro Tololo Observatory told Emol that it was actually a misinterpretation.

"There are a lot of shadows in the area where the photo was taken", which could have caused an illusion of "earthly things", said the expert.

According to Gómez, "the image (which sparked speculation of possible life on Mars) has hundreds of shadows in it and one of them is that of the little 'mermaid' or human figure we see, but it is a coincidence. From my perspective, it is just another shadow on the surface of Mars".

Universidad Católica astrologer Dante Minetti holds a similar opinion. After analyzing the images taken by the Spirit explorer, Minetti concluded that the figure is only an "optical illusion".