Mars 'Bio Station Alpha': Cosmic Ray or Mineral...

A man who believes he's discovered proof of life on Mars has named the cylindrical structure he claims to have found on the planet as Bio Station Alpha. The video of his discovery, found via Google Mars, has received nearly a million views. But, is it really an artificial structure? Scientists say, 'no.'

Martines, who uploaded his video to YouTube on May 28, pondered the supposed structure's purpose. "It could be a power station," he said in his video, "or it could be a biological containment or it could be a glorified garage -- hope it's not a weapon." Oh, dear, please spare the world from idiotic alien invasion conspiracy theories!

Anyway, Alfred McEwen claims that the "bio station" is actually nothing more than a "linear streak artifact created by a cosmic ray." McEwan is the lead scientist in the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE), which is a powerful telescope orbiting Mars. The rays are energetic particles emanated by the sun and other stars. When orbiting telescopes take photos of Mars or other things in space, the images go through a compressing process in the camera, making the rays look as if they're cylindrical. McEwan couldn't tell which orbiting telescope took the photo, so he wasn't sure what the raw data showed.

Clearly miffed at this, he said, "The people at Google need to document what the heck they're doing. They should be able to identify what the source of their information is, and let people know so they can go back and look at the raw data."

Another critic of Martines' Bio Station Alpha theory is another YouTube user who goes by the name of buzzology1990. Buzzology1990 posted his own video of screen caps, showing how the image Martines claims is a structure is actually just a mineral or salt deposit. Others think it is a dry ice deposit, as this image is near one of the poles on Mars.

Whatever it is, David Martines and his YouTube video have generated a lot of interest and speculation about life on Mars and on other worlds.

Comments: 9

Surfs Up Surfwear Jun 7, 2011, 1:33am UTC

Dr. Mcewan's theory seems far far less likely, than what Mr. Martines video suggest. Other scientist such as Mcewan clearly are "miffed" because they have no expanation. NONE. It appears to be very real. and is clearly there for all to see. If they wanted to disprove it, they could have easily by now had thier high powered telescopes taking pictures. However, my bet is this will never happen. Its easier to just spew a buch of BS. It is interesting how "mad" or "miffed the scientist become when they are unable to debunk it.

Reno Berkeley Jun 7, 2011, 2:44am UTC

Thanks for your comment. Your POV is quite good. I'd like to see more information about this myself. Either Martines is correct, or he's not.

Surfs Up Surfwear Jun 12, 2011, 2:24am UTC

Also, the origional video for bio station alpha has been re-posted by the origionalfinder, Dave Martines. you can legally download the correct enbed link at: youtube / thecalifornian check it out- keep it legal. thanks

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Chad Henman Jun 7, 2011, 6:36am UTC

I have been following this all morning and showing the video to my friends. I deal with a good amount of satellite imagery on building compounds and I have to say that this looks to much like a compound not to get attention. If you look at it closely it looks like one large horizontal building and 3 smaller vertial buildings connected by passways on the outside surrounding it also look like smaller buildings almost like sheds. This is a lot of speculation on my part though and a surfs up is right we definitely need a clearer photo to accurately confirm anything on this matter. I might just be seeing what I want to see on it but it looks to neat to be some sort or anomaly or deposit of some sort. The building being near an ice cap would also make sense for water reasons.

Surfs Up Surfwear Jun 12, 2011, 12:45pm UTC

Chads very smart about the ice caps and a possible water source. It seems that eerytime I see someone trying to debunk this, they throw up something that sounds far less likely than what it could be. Looking at the origional video from all angles- its clear that its not "above" the surface, but definantly "on" the surface. and the "pixel" theories Ive seen, only affirm to me that idea makes less sense. Truth is, NASA needs toget NEW satelite or Hubble data- and release to the public what is there NOW, currently, if suddenl;y there is nothing, then that makes me more like;y to believe it WAS or IS there. Another good idea or supposition I heard was the possibility that it was some sort of high tech "blow-up" structure that is esily moved. That might explain the sort of small box/tube like things near each edge- maybe those things "blow-up" the temporary bio station, nad make it able to support life. kind of like a high-tech "bounce house" but without the bounce part. When Ive seen these "pixal" comparison experiments people have done- it makes it look more to me like it does have some sort of metalic nature to it. WE NEED BETTER AND CURRENT PICTUES NASA!

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Surfs Up Surfwear Jun 12, 2011, 2:28am UTC

As a matter of fact the origional Bio Station Alpha video can be linked here:http://youtu.be/BeN8bSvYv0U also at: biostationalpha.com

Reno Berkeley Jun 12, 2011, 3:19am UTC

Thanks for this info.

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Surfs Up Surfwear Jun 12, 2011, 12:34pm UTC

Hi Reno- thanks for your reply, hope you can fix it soon!

Reno Berkeley Jun 12, 2011, 1:25pm UTC

I'll see if my editor can get it changed. Thanks for providing a new link!

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Mars 'Bio Station Alpha': Cosmic Ray or Mineral Deposit?

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