Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-08-05
rRY CABLE TO THE p1spATcH.l

MILAN, Aug 4-Prof Schiapparelli, the
illustrious astronomer, was seen here to-
dav by THE DISPATCH correspondent He
has known of the progress of the observa-
tions by the Lick astronomers, with whom
he has been in correspondence, and e1-
pressed great admiration for the American
enterprise which had brought their splen-
did observatory into existence at SO great
cost
People in Milan have always expressed
their confidence in any statement regarding
the science of astronomy which Prof
Schiapparelli might take, and it is graft
fication to them to know that the Lick tele-
scope mas confirmed the existence of his ia
NOUS canals on Mars. OF this planet he
has made special study, having devoted
to the work greater part of his active life.
Discovered With a Small Glass.
In the long course of observations made
previous to issuing his famous map of
Mars 13 years ago, Prof Schiappareli used
an S-inch glass. Astronomers subsequently
in various parts of the earth failed to verify
his lines even with glasses as
large as 26 inches, but now
1t seems from the reports received here
about the Lick telescope that his keen gray
eyes must nave marvellous penetration and
reaching powers. In talking about the SUBJ
feet here to-day with your correspondent,
the Professor said that the great lines di-
viding the continents of Mars had always
appeared to him very clear.
II saw a parallel duplication with almost
40 lines" replied the astronomer, Sin 1882,
and their number increased with successive
observations without the duplication, how
directions of the lines prove their connec-
tion with the soil, and the varying visibility
of their duplication arose from different at
mospheric conditions at the time of oppo-
sition.''
Where the Astronomers Differed.
s'Your report of the canals on Mars was
not accepted at once, however, was it?"
'The denial of the existence of the dupl-
cation" he said, ''alwsys seemed to me abso-
lutely unreasonable, for the markings were
clearly seen by four astronomers There
were myself and Colorie at the Milan OBJ
servatory, Perotin at the Nice Observatory,
and Schaeberle at the California; Observatory.
Three of these observed lines on Mars
during the planetary opposition; two of
them did not perceive the duplication, the
third, Schaeberle, verified several cases
which he noticed at the same time at the
Milan Observatory"
n-.g 1ros osbad hot wa.
the probable cause of this failure by other
astronomers in some cases to see what he
had seen.
''There might be two causes for the diver
sity of observation. The first of these is
the different acromatism of the telescopes
The visibility of certain stars depends
much more upon the suitability of the in
struments rejecting certain colored rays
than on the size of the instruments them
selves
Difference in Instruments.
Several of the Milanese telescope makers
devoted special attention to the refraction
of red rays. And 1 think they make the
best instruments for observing Mars whose
rays are red of great intensity. The sec
ond cause for the variability of observation
Is habit. The eye, think, should be habitu-
ated to the observing of certain stars
1t was only after IA years work in
observing Mars that I saw the details
of the image with any clearness, and after
that further details appeared. The Cali
fornia astronomers, who appear to be doing
such excellent work with their fine instru-
ments could thus probably be enabled to
see next year many things not apparent
now."
The eminent astronomer was then asked in
regard to the theory that Mars was capable
of sustaining animal or even human life,
and smiled at the question.
"Some newspapers have attributed to me
the idea of finding in tine duplication of the
lines of Mars proof that the planet was
inhabited, and this they thought was based
upon the supposition that the lines were
work of reasoning beings. 1 never said any
thing of the kind. Natural forces may have
followed out these deep canals 80 to 100 kilo-
meters lond. 1t would still require long and
laborious observations before we could know
definitely from what could be seen that Mars
was sustaining life.