Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-01-22
KEELER'S DISCOVERY.
Observations Of the EArth's Nearest
Nsighbor-views OF the Planet Mars.

Recent observations OF the planet
Mars have been made by various as
tronomcrs. and their reports have at
tracted much attention. Professor
Brashear. of Allegheny. was shown
some of the reports and 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 tho snow cap
OF Mars was remarkably distinct at
times, and actually seemed to pro-
trudc from the planets disc. But this
was evidently caused by irradiation.
During the past summer have made
have been merely for the purpose of
testing the accuracy of the instruments
we have been making. Upon one oc-
casion an eight-inch telescope was
used, and the markings upon Mars
were found to be remarkably distinat.
'Nwo or three of the larger so-calied
canals of Schiaparelli were seen. while
the denser markings. such as Secche
continent. Maedlcr continent. Maraldi
sea and others of the more promineur
markings came out with great beauty.
and Notwithstanding the southern de-
clination of the planets the general
outline of the seas and continents aud
the polarized cap was finer than have
eyer had the pleasure of seeing them.
There is no doubt. however. that in
the beautiful sky of Italy Schiaparclli
has seen more details upon the plauet
than any living observer.
Our own Mr.. Kecler. of the Lick
Observatory. has recently made some
drawings Of this planet that rival those
OF Green. aud gives some details as
seen by the Lick refractor not seen at
all by either Green or Schiaparell.
Mr.. Keelcr is not only the most accu-
rate observer. but he is known as one
of the mos. accurate delincators of
celestial phenomena.
lin q 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 Schiaparel:i's so-callcd canals are
readily seen. The most remarkable
things seen upon the drawings of Mr..
Keller are two projections upon the
northwestern terminator of the planet.
These arc two bright spots of cnor-
nous height never before seen by
observers SO far rs can learn. These
indicate elevations oftwcnty-ive miles,
and although doubt has 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 nut
them down just as he saw them. In Il
reply to u recent letter Mr.. Keller
tells me that he not only observed
these upon the terminator, but that he
watched them for hours afterward rs
they passed in upon the body of the
planet by the latter's rotation.
The polar caps Of Mars always ap-
pear white. and there is almost con-
elusive evidence that they are either
ice or snow. because 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 a lati-
tude coinciding with the latitude of
New York upon the earth. As long
ago as l845. Mitchell. at the Cincin-
natl Observatory, noticed dark spot
in the very center Of the snow zone.
He saw this on the night of the 18th OF
July, and he records that on the fol-
lowing evening not trace of the dark
spot could be seen and it has never
afterward been visible.
Certain it is that Mars is one of the
most interesting planets to the astron-
omer. 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 declination has prevented
good observations in this latitude.
But in 1892 the planet will he as we'll
situated. or very nearly so. as it was
in 1877. when no doubt. much will be
learned of the physical characteristics
of our neighboriny satellite. There is
no doubt in my mind that it has an at
mosphere; that it has water as we'll rs
land upon its surface; hence it follows
that it has vapor and clouds. for OBJ
servers have seen continents appear
and disappear, which can only be eS-
planned by their being at times covered
| with great cloud masses" "'""""
DO you think Mars is inhabited,
Professor" asked the reporter.
well. that is difficult to tell. am
of the opinion that every world that
has passed through the stages of our
own has had dwellers upon il like
those upon our earth. aud as it is cvi.
IDENTIFY an older planet than ours, who
knows but that it has better astrono-
mers. finer telescopes and purer Mt
mosphere in which to observe than we
have. and that they already know
more about our earth in that far OF
world than we shall ever know Of
themw
Marriage of COrnses