Rude planet: Nasa Rovers draw penis on Mars

NASA’S twin exploration rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, have been accused over a penis found drawn on the surface of Mars.

Nasa's website crashed briefly after users flocked to catch a glimpse of this rather Earth-like image on Mars. Picture: NASA

The photograph, which crashed Nasa’s website upon publication, shows tyre tracks belonging to one of the two vehicles in the shape of something more commonly seen adorning biology textbooks or toilet cubicle walls.

The rovers were launched in 2003 to search for signs of water erosion on Mars, as well as possible traces of life.

It is thought that the impressions left on the surface may have been made by the vehicles’ tight turning circle as it attempted to navigate a new route.

Contact with one of the rovers, Spirit, was lost in 2009 after it became stuck in sand, while Opportunity is heading towards the Endeavour crater. It is not known how old the tyre tracks are.

Another rover, Curiosity, landed on Mars last year, but it has not been blamed for its older relative’s misdemeanour.

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