Red Planet Drama

Mysterious Mars lights cover up? UFO enthusiasts not buying NASA's sudden rush to explain phenomenon

NASA hasn't had a week like this since Viking 1 photographed the so-called "Face on Mars" . . .

A mysterious beam of light spotted by the Mars Curiosity rover has UFO enthusiasts over the moon, leading the space agency to release an official statement quelling Internet rumors of alien nightclubs and secret underground civilizations.

Taken April 2 and 3, the images in question feature a vertical white speck shining up from a distant Martian hilltop. NASA experts remain committed to several simple explanations, like an unusual sunlight reflection or a glitch in a camera nearly 60 million miles from Earth.

"Sure NASA could go and investigate it, but hey, they are not on Mars to discover life, but they're there to stall its discovery."

But for conspiracy theorists and alien enthusiasts, the white blips are only further photographic evidence of life on Mars — something they allege the United States government wants to keep under wraps for reasons unknown. Noted UFO bloggers like Scott C. Waring point to the manner in which the light appears to emanate directly from the barren landscape.

"This could indicate there is intelligent life below the ground and they use light as we do," Waring wrote Monday on his UFO Sightings Daily website, which includes a host of Curiosity images showing Martian rocks shaped like statues and humanoid faces.

"This is not a glare from the sun, nor is it an artifact of the photo process . . . Sure NASA could go and investigate it, but hey, they are not on Mars to discover life, but they're there to stall its discovery."

In a statement released this week after the speculation over the lights grew, Justin Maki of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory insists that that white spots like these are not uncommon in the thousands of images regularly sent from the Mars rover. He says similar visual anomalies are seen by the Curiosity team "nearly every week," most of which are likely caused by cosmic rays or sunlight reflecting off rock surfaces.

Maki, who help build Curiosity's stereoscopic camera system, also notes that the white spots were only seen in one of the camera's two "eyes." As such, researchers have struggled to pinpoint the exact source of the bright light — giving UFO fans a kernel of hope.

NASA officials and conspiracy theorists are scratching their heads about a mysterious beam of light photographed by the Mars Curiosity rover.

1 Mars attacks NASA images UFO Mars Curiosity rover

Photo courtesy of NASA

NASA officials and conspiracy theorists are scratching their heads about a mysterious beam of light photographed by the Mars Curiosity rover.

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it's summertime

6 family-friendly activities that are new to Houston for summer 2026

A young boy plays simulated racing at Velocity in Houston

Photo courtesy of Velocity

From video game racing to museums, there are plenty for families to do in Houston this summer.

With school out for summer, parents are looking for things for kids to do that will keep them entertained and engaged. Here's a quick rundown of some of the fun activities opening up for the summer around the Houston area.

Hill at Sims
Located in the Sunnyside neighborhood, Houston's newest part is a $30 million, 100-acre project that's been five years in the making. It offers nearly five miles of paved and dirt trails, a fishable pier, and massive street art murals. The hill itself offers a breathtaking view of the downtown skyline.

Houston Museum of Natural Science Sugar Land
The FIFA 2026 World Cup is almost upon us, leading to rampant outbreaks of futbol fever. The only cure is a cold compress of science, thanks to the Houston Museum of Natural Science Sugar Land location. Through July 3, experts on site will teach about the physics, history, and psychology of the world's most popular game. Weekdays will feature craft stations, interactive exhibits, and group activities, while the weekends explore the countries that are participating in this year's World Cup, leading up to a final global celebration.

Lone Star Flight Museum
On Saturday, June 19, the museum will open its new exhibit Made in Texas: 116 Years of Texas Aviation History. Visitors will see items such as vintage flight attendant uniforms and fine China that was used in first class cabins. In addition, the exhibit showcases aircraft manufactured in Texas and celebrates pilots such as the Tuskegee Airmen and Texas ACES. Through January 3, 2027.

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Just because it's summer is no reason there can't be a little learning as well. The Museum of Fine Arts Houston is hosting a rare showing of masterworks by Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, Henri Matisse, Alberto Giacometti and more. The collection comes from renowned gallerist and dealer Heinz Berggruen, who scoured Europe after World War II through 1990 to acquire many works, some directly from the artists themselves. Though you may recognize the names of the artists, you likely won't be familiar with some of the works on display, as they tend to be more obscure pieces. Open through September 13.

Time Mission
Journey from the beginning of the universe through the molten emergence of the Earth to the far future for a cyberpunk heist. Time Mission is a single room immersive experience that pits 2 - 5 player aged 6 and up through 25 possible mental and physical games to progress through the fourth dimension. Developed by the same minds behind the Museum of Illusions, Time mIssion is just the latest in high-end immersive game services in the Houston, albeit it one with a temporal travel twist.

Velocity Sim Racing Lounge
Go-kart and sim racing often leave the younger children out of the mix thanks to height requirements on the equipment. Velocity Sim Racing Lounge in the Sawyer Yards district is changing that with their new Racer 2.0 rigs. Rated for ages 5 and up, the rigs come with adjustable pedals, steering wheels, and seats, making them far more accessible to both young racers and those with disabilities. Velocity is also debuting a new virtual track, Dino Rush, that lets you race through a prehistoric park.