Percival Lowell drew this sketch of Mars during the opposition of 1894. Before presenting the history of Mars observation following the introduction of the telescope, a first chapter sets the basis for such narrative by explaining the motions of the planet in a clear and complete manner. The experiments of the principal astronomers are presented, citing Tycho Brahe, Johannes Kepler, Galileo Galilei, Camille Flammarion, Christiaan Huygens, Giovanni Cassini, and Giacomo Maraldi from the late 1500s through to the Mars opposition of 1719. William Herschel and Johann Schroeter made major contributions with their advanced telescopes, and in 1858 the first mention of canals was introduced by Angelo Secchi of Rome. The discoveries of Asaph Hall and Giovanni Schiaparelli take us to 1888 and the Lick Observatory, where Edward Holden observed with the new 36-inch refractor.
Several chapters tell the story of spacecraft to Mars.
A chapter is devoted to observation methods for amateurs, and an appendix gives information about the planet and its oppositions. There is an extensive bibliography. This well-written book can be a useful companion for all who will become increasingly fascinated with Mars as new astronomical instrumentation and spacecraft further explore our neighbor. The Mystery of Mars is a book for children written by the first American woman in space, Sally Ride, and Tam O'Shaughnessy, a professor of school psychology. The image reproductions are excellent, which will surely make the views from Mars Pathfinder and Mars Global Surveyor a source of youthful wonder.