Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1888-09-08


represented by numbers as follows: l.,
hmazonis; 2, Memnonia; 3, Phlegra; A.
Zephyria; 8, Acolis; 9, Elysium; Z, He's
peria; g. Aetheria; o, Libya; 10, Aeria;
II, Arabia; 10, Eden; i3, Edom; IA, Chry-
sia; 10, Tempe; 10, Thossis; II, Arcadia
The three islands are as follows, in the
order Of their size: Thryle !, Thryle II,
Argyle II.
II should be explained that this map is
drawn on what Is known as Mercator's
projection. That is, as If the planet were
cylindrical in form, and its surface had
been peeled of and rolled out fat like so
much paper The map should be viewed
with the paper held sidewise, with the
South pole (surrounded by the Australian
sea- at the top. This reversal Of the poles
is common to all astronomical maps, and
Is the result Of the reversing powers of
all astronomical telescopes.
Nebule are perhaps the best objects on
which to test new glasses; at least they
are the most delicate. As each new glass
Is put on certain nebule parts that have
appeared filmy through other telescopes
are resolved into stars. But the favorite
object for astronomers in the planetary
system on which to bring new glasses to
bear is the planet Mars, especially when
Mars is in what is called opposition--that
is, when the planet, which revolves in an
orbit next exterior to that of the earth, is
on the same side of the sun with the
earth, and is 145, ,000,0 600 miles nearer us
than when it is on the opposite side of
tho earth from the sun. In 1S45, when
the first of the lsrger size glasses came to
America, Mars and the earth were as close
together as they ever get, or ut an inter
val of about SO, 900, 900 miles, and the glass
was tested upon the planet and some new
points noted. The Lick observatory was
not,ready for observations till the middle
of July last. An opposition of Mars took
place during March, April and May; but
Notwithstanding that they were rather
late for favorable observations, the astron-
omers of the Lick observatory made a
number Of careful drawings Of the planet
disc as seen through the instrument.
NJ. Schiaparelli of the observatory at
Milan, Italy, has devoted himself to tho
study of Mars, and has made q map of its
surface, which is here given. The por-
tions which are given in black in the map
are supposed to represent water, tho
white land. On the planet these differ
ences are, of course, very much slighter
will be seen that the map divides the sur
face into the land and the seas, and the
lines which cross in every direction are
called canals, though this Is misnomer,
for some Of them are !, 900 miles long and
80 miles wide. They are supposed to be
the same substance as what are called
Martian seas, because they are of the
same color.
The transitions, however, ON the plan
cts surface are so sudden as to seriously
interfere with the land and water theory.
NJ Perrotin, director of the observatory
at Nice, declares that the continent
marked Libya on the map, about equal to
Franco in area, entirely disappeared be-
tween two observations, the latter made
in April last. The truth is that tho sun
and all the great planets which we can
see under favorable circumstances under
20 apparent rapid surface changes. The
variations on the disc of Saturn and the
clouds of Jupiter have long puzzled as
tronomers, A few years ago a great red
spot appeared on the suIiace of tho latter
planet, which has not yet entirely faded
away, There occasionally appear spots
on the sun into which the whole earth
could be thrust, and before the astron-
omer can make drawing the whole ap-
pearance of the vast crater has changed.
The theory, therefore that Mars Is COM
posed of continents which are constantly
being changed in their area or submerged
by oceans must be taken purely IS 4
theory. The astronomers themselves do
not agree, even in their observations
Professor Holden. Of the Lick observa-
tory, says: Out of forty drawings which
we have been able to secure since July 10,
Iso less than eight represent the continent
Lbya in its accustomed place" Perrotin
says the continent disappeared last April.
Mr.. ID. Smart, of London, and M. Flam-
marion, of Paris, both confirm Mr.. Hol-
den's observations. Professor Holden gives
the most reasonable explanation of the
disappearance and reappearance of Libya
by supposing 1t TO occur from the passage
of clouds. This is certainly more reason
able than to attribute 1t to overflow or sub
mergence. Meanwhile the world waits
for some remarkable discovery by means
Of the great Lick telescope, which has
cost so much pains, and which is supposed
to unite such great advantages.