Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-02-06
KgeLsR's DISCOVERY.


Observations Of th. Earths Nearest
4 NsiKhbor-views at tho Planet Mars.
Recent observations of the planet
Mars have been made by various as
tronomers. aud their reports have at
tracted much attention. Professor
Brashear. of Allegheny. was saown
some of the reports aud questioned
concerning his own observations. He
said:
MY observations OF that planet ex-
tend over a number of years. the best
having been made in the opposition of
1877 the year in which the two minute
satellites of that planet were discov-
cred. During that year the snow cap
of Mars was remarkably distinct at
times. aud actually seemed to pro-
trude from the planets disc. But this
WAS evidently caused by irradiation.
During the past summer / have made
IA number OF observations. but they
have been merely for tho purpose of
test ng the accuracy of the instruments
we have been making. Upon one oc-
casi0n an eight-inch telescope was
used, and the markings upon Mars
were found To be remarkably distinct.
1.-Two or three of the larger so-called
canals of Schiaparelli were seen. while
the denser markings. such AZ Secche
continent, Maedler continent, Maraldi
sea and others Of the more prominent
markings came out with great beatty.
and Notwithstanding the southern de-
clination Of the planets the general
outline of the seas and continents and
the pOlarzed cap was finer than have
ever had the pleasure of seeing them.
There Is no doubt, however that in
the beautiful sky of Italy Schiaparelli
has seen more details upon the planet
than any living observer.
Our own Mr.. Keeler. of the Lick
Observatory. has recently made some
drawings of this planet that rival those
OF Greup, and gives some details rs
seen by the Lick rclractor not seen ut
all Inv either Green or SchiaparelIi.
NJ Keelcr is not only the most accu-
rate observer, hut he is known rs one
OF the most accurate deliueators Of
celestial phenomena.
"In beautiful drawing of this
planet, sent to me recently by him,
made from an observation made on
the evening of the 9th OF June last.
the main continents came out with
great sharpness, and quite number
of Schaparel,i's so-caled canals are
readily seen. The most remarkable
things seen upon the drawings OF Mr..
KceIcr are two projections upon the
northwestern terminator of the planet.
These are two bright spots of eaor-
nous height never before seen by
observers so far as / can learn. These
indicate elevations oftwenty-iive miles.
and although doubt hes been thrown
upon the observation. and it is thought
that the height of these bright spots is
increased by irradiation. there is little
doubt in my mind that Mr.. Keller put
them down just rs he saw them. In a
reply to II recent letter Mr.. Keller
tells me that he not only observed
these upon the Termination. but that he
watched them for hours afterward as
they passed in upon the body of the
planet by the lattcr's rotation.
The polar caps of Mars always APP
pear white. and there Is almost con-
elusive evidence that they are either
ice or snow. BEGAN g they are seen to
diminish during the long summer of
Mars which is twice rs long as ours.
and to increase during the winter of
the planet and reach almost to n lati-
, tude cSinciding with the latitude Of
, New York upon the earth. AS long
ago as 1915. Mitchell at tho Cinciu-
natl Observatory. noticed a dark spot
ia the very center of the snow zone.
He saw this on the night of the 18th OF
July. and I've records that on the fol-
lowing evening not a trace OF the dark
, spot could be seen aud it has mover
aitcrward been visible.
Certain it is that Mars is one Of tho
most interesting planets to the astron-
omcr, but it is only about once in tif-
, teen years that the best observations
, may be made. While the planet has
, been quite close TO us this year. its low
southern deciinatiOn has prevented
good observations in this latitude.
But in 1892 the planet will be as well
situated. ur very nearly so. as it was
in 1877. when. no doubt. much will be
learned of the physical characteristics
of our neighboring satellite. There il
. 40 doubt In my mind that it has an at
mosphere; that it has water as we'll n:
land upon its surface: hence it follow:
that 1t has vapor ana clouds, Tor oO
servers have seen continents appear
and disappear, which can only be ex
plaiued by their being at times covered
with great cloud Masses"
, do you think Mars is inhabited
/ ProfessorP" asked the reporter.
We'll. that is difficult to tell. / an
of the opinion that every world tina
has passed through the stages OF ou'
own has had dwellers upon it like
those upon our earth. and as 1t is eyi
, IDENTITY an older planet than ours. who
knows but that il has better astrono-
mers, finer telescopes and purer at
mospherc in which TO observe than w
have. aud that they already know
more about our earth in that far OF
world than we shall ever know o
themp"