Mars cloud still has no suspect; a boxy video mystery
Mashable reports scientists have cleared Martian dust but still have no replacement explanation for the cloud; the dust has yet to receive an apology.
On air: Hank Ledger and Brock Thunderson on Best of BBNPublished
Updated · aired 6 times
Photo: Kevin Gill from Los Angeles, CA, United States · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsWatch it as it aired: Hank Ledger and Brock Thunderson on this story, from Best of BBN at 3:00 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are Mashable's, the jokes are ours.
At a glance
- First reported by Mashable: “Mars dust doesn't explain one of the solar system's weirdest clouds”, with reporting from AlterNet.
- Covered on BBN on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 3:00 AM ET on Best of BBN, by Hank Ledger and Brock Thunderson; aired 6 times.
- Topics: Mars.
- BBN covered this story before: Roman Temple to Mars Unearthed Beneath Forest Floor (October 10).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
What BBN said about it
Brock Thunderson · Chief MeteorologistNow, that Mars cloud.
Brock Thunderson · Chief MeteorologistMashable says dust blown off Mars doesn't explain it, so the cloud still has no explanation and the dust has an alibi.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorUnexplained just needs a better grant.
Brock Thunderson · Chief MeteorologistI've named it already. Gerald. A cloud nobody can account for is the only honest one up there.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorDoes Gerald have a temperature?
Brock Thunderson · Chief MeteorologistCold, Hank. Cold and secretive.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorAlso, AlterNet says a new video of Donald Trump shows something it calls bizarre and boxy under his clothes, and nobody has offered an explanation.
Brock Thunderson · Chief MeteorologistBoxy and unexplained. That's Gerald's cousin.
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Photo: Paul Berendsen · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Daniel Torok · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Karin Langner-Bahmann , upload von Martin Bahmann · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Kuebi = Armin Kübelbeck · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Photo: nimame · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons- Photo: Daniel Torok · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Minghong · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Also on air
The story so far
- Britpop Mars Mission Celebrated; Wonky Elm Wins Tree of the Year · BBC
- Britpop Mars Probe Honored; WIRED Eyes AI Midterms · BBC
- Roman Temple to Mars Unearthed Beneath Forest Floor · Newser
- Mars cloud still has no suspect; a boxy video mystery (this story)
- NASA's Perseverance rover sets a Mars driving record · The New York Times
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Monday, October 12, 2026 · the Weird News archive · all months
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