Claim: AI image of 8-armed rock formation on Mars went viral as real

First requested: August 27, 2026 at 7:51 PM
35%

IsItCap Score

Truth Potential Meter

Very Low Credibility

AI consensusWeak

Grader consensus is weak.
Range 10%–96% (spread Δ86).
The graders diverge. Treat the combined score as uncertain and read the sources carefully.
Read analysis summary

OpenAI Grade

0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
10%

Perplexity Grade

0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
96%

Google Gemini Grade

0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
50%
Shareable summary
Verdict: Questionable
  • The pack lacks a primary NASA statement on the image.
  • No raw file provenance is included in the evidence.
/r/ai-image-of-8-armed-rock-formation-on-mars

Analysis Summary

The claim that an AI image of an 8-armed rock formation on Mars went viral as real is false. Reputable sources like Snopes confirm that the image was AI-generated and not an authentic NASA photo. The viral nature of the image misled many into believing it was genuine. No credible sources support the claim that the image is real, which further solidifies its falsehood. The models diverge sharply — treat this as higher-uncertainty. Perplexity comes in highest (96%), while OpenAI is lowest (10%). OpenAI expresses higher confidence than Gemini on this claim. There are no opposing claims or credible sources disputing the assertion that the image is AI-generated. The evidence overwhelmingly supports the conclusion that the image is not real. The lack of any credible support for the claim indicates a strong consensus among the sources reviewed, leaving little room for uncertainty regarding its authenticity.
Jump to source analysis

Source quality

Truth (from sources)1.00 / 10
Source reliability9.00 / 10
Source independence8.00 / 10

Claim checks

Fits established facts10.00 / 10
Logical consistency10.00 / 10
Expert consensus10.00 / 10
Related fact checks

Source Analysis

Common arguments
Supporting the claim
  • Snopes says the viral image was not authentic and was AI-created.
  • A second report repeats that it was not a real NASA Mars photo.
  • A third article says the image was AI-made, not genuine Mars imagery.
Against the claim
  • The pack lacks a primary NASA statement on the image.
  • No raw file provenance is included in the evidence.
  • The pack does not show where the viral post first appeared.

Mainstream Sources

Publication

Snopes

Title

Does this image show creepy 'spider' on Mars?

Summary

Snopes says the viral spider-shaped Mars image was not authentic and was created with artificial intelligence tools.

Source details

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URL

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Publication

163.com

Title

真相来了丨火星惊现'蜘蛛状岩层'？假的！网红图破绽百出

Summary

This report says Snopes found the image was AI-generated and not a real NASA Mars photo.

Source details

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URL

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Publication

sina.com.cn

Title

火星“蜘蛛”地貌是AI伪造？真实干冰雕刻如何形成

Summary

This article says the viral spider-like Mars image was AI-made and contrasts it with real Martian spider-like terrain.

Source details

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URL

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Alternative Sources

No alternative sources were found for this analysis.

Analysis Breakdown

True/False Spectrum (1.0)Source Credibility (9.0)Bias Assessment (8.0)Contextual Integrity (10.0)Content Coherence (10.0)Expert Consensus (10.0)80%

How to read the breakdown

Weakest areas
Truth1.0/10Independence8.0/10
  • Truth: how well sources support the core claim.
  • Source reliability: whether the sources have a strong track record.
  • Independence: whether coverage looks one-sided or recycled.
  • Context: missing details (timeframe, definitions, scope) that change meaning.
  • Tip: if graders disagree, rely more on the summary + sources than the single number.

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Methodology