The hole was discovered by chance on images taken by the HiRISE instrument aboard the robotic Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, of the dusty slopes of Mars‘ Pavonis Mons volcano. Image Credit: NASA, JPL, U. Arizona
The hole appears to be an opening to an underground cavern, partly illuminated on the image right. Analysis of this and follow-up images revealed the opening to be about 35 meters across, while the interior shadow angle indicates that the underlying cavern is roughly 20 meters deep.
Why there is a circular crater surrounding this hole remains a topic of speculation, as is the full extent of the underlying cavern. Holes such as this are of particular interest because their interior caves are relatively protected from the harsh surface of Mars, making them relatively good candidates to contain Martian life. These pits are therefore prime targets for possible future spacecraft, robots, and even human interplanetary explorers.
via apod
END OF MYSTERY! There is no hole in the center, is just a black rock that with one of its vertices illuminated by sunlight. Despite looking like a hole, looking closely I realized the other vertices of rock that are less enlightened due to the position of sunlight. Glad! not be necessary to send another expedition only to shoot the rock. rss!