Issue 137 - August 2012 (2nd Edition) - Page 3
Faux Image - Double Sunset on Mars
Outline
Circulating image is claimed to depict two suns setting over the Martian horizon as taken from the Curiosity Rover.
Brief Analysis
The image is faked. It was digitally created by combining components from two separate images. The source picture does indeed show a sunset on Mars. However, the double sun was taken from a scene in the movie Star Wars.
Detailed analysis and references below example.
Last updated: August 14, 2012
First published: August 14, 2012
Article written by Brett M. Christensen
Research by David White, Brett Christensen
About Brett Christensen and Hoax-Slayer
Example
Detailed Analysis
The above image is currently circulating via social media sites and the blogging community, often with a description claiming that it depicts a double sunset taken by the Curiosity Rover from the surface of Mars. Some versions suggest that the picture shows moons rather than suns. None of the posts provide a satisfactory explanation as to why there would be two suns (or moons) setting over Mars, although some have suggested that the shot is a result of a camera lens anomaly.
However, the image is fake and does not really show two suns (or moons) from Mars. The image is a result of some clever digital tomfoolery by which the two suns have been added to an original photograph. The source image (shown below) does depict a sunset from Mars. However, it was not taken by the Curiosity Rover. In fact, the photograph of Mars was
taken from the Spirit Rover in May, 2005.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Texas A&M/Cornell
The two suns were lifted from the following iconic scene from the movie Star Wars:
A version of the picture that places the two images together is also circulating:
Thus, it is clear that the prankster has removed the real sun from the original Spirit Rover picture and added in the two alternative
"suns" by lifting them from the Star Wars still.
References
NASA Sunset on Mars
Pages in this issue:
- Anti Text-Driving Message - Car Wedged Under Truck Image
- Nationwide Phishing Scam Emails
- Faux Image - Double Sunset on Mars
- Microsoft Cyber-Crime Department Phishing Scam
- Does A Photo Depict A Puppy Being Forced to Drink Vodka?
- Post Circulating Claims Hotel Made Disabled US Veteran Crawl Down Stairs
- AFL vs NRL - Wrongdoings of Australian Members of Parliament Hoax
- Three.co.uk Phishing Scam
- Another Facebook Sick Baby Hoax - Baby With Brain Cancer
- Circulating Opinion Piece - 'Democratic, Republican Liberal-Progressive's Worst Nightmare'
- Fake Three (Or Seven) Headed Snake Image
- Misleading Health Advice Email - 'Mayo Clinic on Aspirin and Heart Attacks'
- Facebook Survey Scam - Free Argos Gift Card
- 'Email Deactivation Warning' Phishing Scam
- Anti-Obama Youtube Video Compiles Multiple Conspiracy Theories
- Fake AT&T Bill Emails Point To Malware
- Messages Claim Coca Cola to be Banned In Bolivia
- 'Free Apple Product' Text Message Survey Scam
- Circulating Warning - Facebook May Close Down Animal Rescue Account'
- 2012 FIFA World Cup Online Lottery Advance Fee Scam
- Email Claiming US Gold Medal Gymnast Gabrielle Douglas Faces Lifetime Ban Used to Spread Malware
- Bigpond Security Service Phishing Scam
- Wrestling Star John Cena is NOT Dead
- Hoax - NASA Predicts Total Blackout of Planet in Dec 2012
- Wrestling Star Undertaker is NOT Dead
- Colin And Chris Weir Donation Programme Advance Fee Scam
- US EPA Regulations Force Power Plant Closures
- 'View Facebook Followers' Scam Targets Twitter Users
- Lloyds TSB 'New Banking Authentication' Phishing Scam
- Faux Image - Pilots Protesting Chemtrails
- Telstra Bill Account Update Phishing Scam
- McDonald's Signboard Supporting Chick-Fil-A
- ABSA 'Authorized EFT Payment Received' Phishing Scam
- Hoax Picture - Obama Holding Phone Upside Down
- 'eBay Item Not Received' Phishing Scam Email
- Wells Fargo 'Security Check' Phishing Scam
- False Warnings - 'Cleaning out Friends List' Questions on Facebook Contain Viruses or are Posted by Hackers
