"Get Smart" with Dr. Mark Carlotto

In this edition of "Get Smart":, we are fortunate to have Dr. Mark Carlotto with us. Dr. Carlotto is an accomplished scientist and engineer with over four decades of experience in aerospace imaging, signal processing, and remote sensing. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, he has worked on advanced technologies for satellite imaging and has contributed to the development of novel techniques in computer vision and pattern recognition.

Dr. Carlotto is widely known for his independent analysis of planetary imagery, including his pioneering work on the controversial "Face on Mars," where he applied rigorous scientific methods to examine potential anomalies in NASA photographs. His research, publications, and public commentary reflect a unique balance between scientific discipline and openness to unconventional inquiry, making him a respected voice in both mainstream and alternative scientific communities.

Enjoy our chat with Dr. Carlotto:

1. In your opinion, what is the most compelling piece of evidence suggesting past or present life on Mars? Or, do you believe such evidence exists?

There is some circumstantial evidence of past life on Mars including the 1976 Viking Lander experiments and microfossils in the ALH84001 Mars meteorite. Mars’ red color is due to the presence of iron oxide that could have only formed in an oxygen-rich atmosphere. On Earth, oxygen is produced by photosynthesis, which requires water. Evidence for water on Mars includes geological formations like river channels and valleys, and chemical compounds that form in water-rich environments. I would not be surprised if there are places underground, perhaps in caves, where ancient life may still exist.

2. You have applied advanced image analysis to controversial structures, such as the "Face on Mars." What did your analysis reveal, and how should we interpret these findings? Is the "Face on Mars" merely a photographic anomaly, or does it suggest something more significant?

Note: The following description provides context for the next question we asked Dr. Carlotto:

The "Face on Mars"  is a mesa located in the Cydonia region of Mars, first photographed by NASA's Viking 1 orbiter in 1976. The image captured a formation that appeared to resemble a human face, sparking widespread speculation about the possibility of ancient Martian civilizations. 

In light of this characterization, Dr. Carlotto's views are very interesting. Here is Dr. Carlotto's answer: 

I used a method developed in the early days of computer vision, known as shape-from-shading to generate 3-D views of an object from its 2-D image. My analysis, published in 1988 in the journal Applied Optics revealed that the impression of a face was not an optical illusion as NASA had claimed but persisted over different viewpoints and lighting conditions. 

I later went on to discover evidence the Face could be a purposefully-designed, highly symmetrical structure that has been eroded by the Martian environment over millions of years to produce the formation we see today. Adding to the possibility that the Face and surrounding structures could be artificial is their alignment in the direction of the summer solstice sunrise on Mars more than a quarter of a million years ago.

3. Elon Musk has long advocated for the possibility of humans living on Mars. Do you find his vision plausible? What are the major challenges to achieving this, and are they surmountable?

It is plausible. But while SpaceX’s rapid spiral development/iterative design methodology is good for rocket development, it would be a concern if extended to the establishment of a human colony of Mars or the Moon. 

4. Could you explain the concept of remote sensing technology, and how do your satellite and remote sensing techniques translate into practical applications here on Earth?

Remote sensing is the science of acquiring information about an object or area from a distance, without physical contact. It typically involves using sensors on satellites or aircraft to detect and measure electromagnetic radiation reflected or emitted by the Earth's surface or atmosphere. This data is then

processed and analyzed using algorithms that understand various aspects of the environment, such as land cover, vegetation health, water temperature, etc. 

5. How do you maintain scientific rigor while remaining open to unconventional ideas, especially when studying phenomena that challenge mainstream scientific views?

I think the key is not to spend too much time theorizing but to find data and do as many experiments as possible to test your hypotheses. In some cases, the data are limited and so you can only do so much with what you have. This is a reason in part why I have stepped back from the Face on Mars controversy until new data becomes available.

6. There are individuals and organizations that claim governments are aware of extraterrestrial life but are engaging in a cover-up. What are your thoughts on this phenomenon?

People tend to believe the government knows more than they do and is willing to do whatever is necessary to protect them. I think the problem is that the government does not know what is behind UAP and does not want to admit it. The data suggest that UAP are not from somewhere “out there” as almost a century of searching for extraterrestrial radio signals has come up empty. So, if they are not extraterrestrial, what are they? 

7. What is your perspective on the recent testimony from David Grusch and others before the U.S. House of Representatives' UFO/UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) Hearing? How significant do you believe these claims to be?

I believe the testimony of those who have witnessed UAP and UFO activity firsthand. This includes recent sightings, historical accounts of “flying saucers” from the 1940s, and descriptions in ancient texts of unusual objects and events. UAP are not just a modern phenomenon and should be investigated from a historical perspective. This is the subject of my book Not of This World.

8. What advice would you offer to young scientists or citizen scientists interested in exploring unorthodox questions about space?

I have been fortunate to work for companies that allowed me to pursue independent research during off-work hours. I would recommend finding a such a company or networking with independent scientists who are open to collaboration. It is important to publish results in peer-reviewed journals and at technical conferences and not just make YouTube videos.

9. In your opinion, how can media outlets and science communicators improve their coverage of controversial or speculative science, ensuring it remains grounded in fact without resorting to sensationalism or dismissiveness?

They need to avoid the mindset that prioritizes established paradigms and conventional thinking, leading to the premature dismissal of data that challenges current theories (paradigms). The media needs to strike a balance between being open-minded and less dogmatic without succumbing to sensationalism.

10. Of all your many accomplishments, which one has brought you the greatest satisfaction, and why?

My search for evidence of lost civilizations during the last ice age described in Before Atlantis and later books has been particularly satisfying. It began with a study of archaeological sites across the world finding that only about half the sites are astronomically aligned. I discovered that if Charles Hapgood’s theory of earth crustal displacement were correct, these sites would have been aligned to one of four previous pole locations over the past 120,000 years. The implication is that some of the most enigmatic places on Earth could be tens to over a hundred thousand years older than is currently thought.

Thank-you Dr. Carlotto for engaging with our audience and for sharing your insights and expertise. To learn more about Dr. Carlotto'ss fine work, please click here.