Is There Wood On Mars?

The object in these photos released by NASA in 2004 sure look like a plank of wood but as the Daily Mail points out, we humans are hardwired to recognise familiar objects as a survival technique.

It is more likely to be a case of pareidolia - where a random stimulus is perceived as having significance, be it a symbol seen in a cloud or a face on a piece of toast.

Whether it's a plank or wood or not, it's great material for conspiracy theorists.