Local author has Mars paper published in Science Journal

by Amber Ramhorn

Waterford resident and author of The Great Architects of Mars, George J. Haas has a new science paper published in current issue of the Journal of Astrobiology. The paper “Mars: Geological Formation or Archaeology? Square-shaped Structure within an Arabia Terra Crater?” is authored by Haas and Alberta, Canada geomorphologist; William R. Saunders, and Boston University geologist; Robert M. Schoch, who is known for his discovery of water erosion on the Egyptian Sphinx.

The square-shaped structure on Mars came to the world’s attention earlier this year, after an old NASA image went viral on the internet after being shared on the Reddit social network by Chris Ramsay. The image went viral on the internet and was featured in numerous online news programs after the number 1 podcast, host Joe Rogan, called it “F-ing wild” and the founder of Space-X, Elon Musk, said, “We should send astronauts to Mars to investigate.” Not to be left out, the well-known astrophysicist Neil deGrasse
Tyson joined in by saying. “If you want to go investigate geometric structures … maybe we can fold that into a mission.”

Haas and Saunders were aware of the formation and remember seeing it when it was originally released back in 2001. They thought it was odd that such an old image was receiving so much attention and never received any scientific assessment.

Their paper shows the square-shaped structure, which is approximately a mile in length, has a set of linear foundational walls that display a high level of geometry and symmetry including corners containing 90-degree angles.

After an extensive examination of over a half a dozen NASA images of the square-shaped structure they found it could not be explained by the effects of any natural mechanisms and concluded that the only explanation is that its square, foundational walls were intentionally constructed. Haas says “Carl Sagan once proclaimed that the signature of intelligent life is found in geometry, the same geometry we are finding on Mars.”

One of the most interesting observed presented by the authors is that similar square-shaped structures with two opposing corners in a distinct north to south orientation were produced by terrestrial cultures, such the American Indians in Ohio and the Mays in Caracol, Belize.

They also point out that the boundary lines of the District of Columbia, in Washington D.C. forms a square with two opposing corners in a north to south orientation, just like we seen on Mars. The comparisons are quite compelling and they leave us with questions about the possibility of ancient life on the Red Planet and its implications that we may not be alone in the universe.

If you would like to read the science paper “Mars: Geological Formation or Archaeology? Square-shaped Structure within an Arabia Terra Crater?” you can down load a PDF version for free at the Journal of Astrobiology website.

Link: http://journalofastrobiology.com/SaundersMarsSquareShape.pdf.

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Amber Ramhorn is a writer, artists and curator living in Waterford VA.