Cool

Of course the question whether it is a freak shape or some sort of fossil. I imagine they'd be able to find more if it's for real. Any possibility it is man made by the robot operators?

JPG compression operates on 8x8 pixel squares, so it frequently causes artifacts that also fall in 8x8 squares. Your images have been enlarged with an algorithm that smooths our pixelization (intentionally, to make a nicer looking image), but a straight pixel enlargement and histogram adjustment show that the "teeth" align with other JPG artifacts:

... it appears it could be some type of mineral concretion or nodule which sometimes form in sedimentary rock shortly after deposition (e.g. sand or mud at the bottom of a lake or sea) but before the sediments completely solidify into rock.

agreed with your synopsis.

but *I still think its cool

Last edited Thu Mar 19, 2015, 08:15 PM - Edit history (1)

(Edit: never mind -- found it: http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread1049460/pg1 )