The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-05-28
Are the Planets Inhubiicd.

1
an article OH the developments ofthe
Telescope, in the Westminster and
Foreign Quarterly Review:
Are the planets inhabited? is
question which naturally presents it.
self TO the human mind, and for
solution of which, we as naturally
look to the science Of astronomy
But when the immense distance
which separates us even from the
nearest Of the planets is remember
ed, it can scarcely be a matter of
surprise that the telescope affords no
evidence on the question, whether
the planets like the earth are inhabit-
ed globes. Yet though it gives no di-
rect answer TO this inquiry, modern
astronomy has collected together a
mass Of facts, connected with the
position and motions, the physical
character and conditions, and the
parts player In the solar system by
the several globes of which that
system is composed, which forms a
vast body of analogy, leading the
intelligent mind to the conclusion
that the planets are worlds, fulfilling
in the economy of the universe the
same functions, and created by the
same divine hand, for the same NOR
al purposes, and with the same dcs-
TIMES, as the earth. Thus, for ex-
ample, we find these orbs like our
own, roll in regulated periods round
The sun that they have nights and
days, and SUGGESTIONS Of seasons;
that they are provided with atmos-
pheres, supporting clouds, and agi-
tated by winds and that thus, also,
their climates and seasons are mod
in>u ~ ,,up,,, atiuu, ana tIIat snuw-
crs refresh their surface. For we
know that wherever the existence
of clouds is made manifest there
water must exist; there evaporation
must 60 on; there electricity with
its train of phenomena, must reign !;
there hail and snow must descend.
Notwithstanding the dense atmos-
phere and dense clouds with which
Venus and Mercury are constantly
cnvelopcd, the telescope has exibi-
ted to us great irregularities on their
surface and thus proved the exist
cnce of mountains and valleys.
But it is upon the planet Mars,
which approaches nearest the earth,
that the greatest advances have
been made IN this department Of
inquiry. Under favorable circum-
stances its disc is seen to be mapped
out by various outlines, some por-
tons being less reflective Of light
than others, just as water would be
less reflective than land. Baer and
Meadler, two Prussian astronomers,
have devoted many years labor to
the examination of Mars, and the
result has put us in possession OF a
map Of the geography of that planet,
almost as exact and well defined as
that which we possess Of our own
in fact, the geographical outlines of
land and water have been made up
on it. But still more cXtriordina-
~ fact in relation TO this planet re-
mains to be considered. Among the
shaded markings which have been
noted by the telescope upon lis disc,
remarkable region of brilliant
white light, standing out in boldest
relief, has been observed surround-
ing the visible pole. This highly H.
Illuminated spot is TO be seen most
plainly when it energies from the
long night IF the winter season /; but
when it has passed slowly beneath
the solar beams, it is found TO have
gradually contracted its dimensions
and at last, before it has plunged in
to light on the other side, TO have
entirely disappeared. But The opro-
site pole, then coming into similar
relation, is found to be furnished
WIN luminous sIOt winch, III us
turn disolves as it becomes heated
by the summer sun. Now these
facts prove TO Us, incontestibly, that
the very geographical regions of Mars
are fac SMILES Of ours. In its long
polar winters the SHOWS accumulate
in the dcsolation high northern and
southern ATTITUDES, until they be-
come visible to us, in consequence
of their reflective properties, and
these are slowly melted as the SUMS
rays gather power IN the advancing
season, until they cease 20 be appre-
ciable 60 terrestrial eyes. This fact is
a most striking one in reference to
the present question. For, TO quote
the remarks of one Of the authors
before us
off the moon has proved to It's
.incontrovcrtibly, that one of thc &C.
lcStlal luminarlcS is Il solid sphere,