Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-08-03
THE PLANET MARS.
What a Washington Scientist Says OF
Observations Now Being Made.
u-o.;.u Gsart

High in the southern heavens beyond
Caprcornus, the sea goat. speeds the
planet Mars, rushing onward through
space toward this earth at the rate OF the
ligbtning's fash. 1t is paying this mum
dane sphere the visit that 1t delgns every
fifteen years, and to do it must travel
log 600. 900 miles through the realms of in
finity. Within three days the planet will
be within $1,000. 900 miles of this earth
and will then commence its retreat to Its
utmost limit, 14l 200, 900 miles awav.
To the naked eye the planet appears but
luminous spot against the blackness OF
the armament, moro brilliant, perhaps,
than its neighbors. Through the great
telescope of the Naval Observatory 1t IS
seen to be O planet surrounded with an
atmosphere. ITS surface dotted with seas
and lakes, continents and islands, and at
either pole great white masses that seem
TO be snow. More, there are seen two
attendant satellites-moons they are-that
accompany the planet in its onward jour
ney and play around it, rejecting the
light OF the sun upon its surface IN silvery
brillIancy.
WATCHING IT CLOSELY NOW.
Nightly now upon this little sister OF the
earth is turned the calm, lnquirlng eye OF
science peerine into its mysteries, calcu-
lating its movements with mathematical
DTtClklOD, anu ~ IACANo eAAC
veil of distance that separates this most
interesting of all the heavenly bodies from
the ken Of mortal man.
At the Naval Observatory in this city Pro-
fessor Asaph Hall is watching the approach
of the planet and its satellites with eager
attention. He takes an unusual interest
III the observation. for, as everyone knows.
il was be who discovered the moons OF
Mars and first announced to the astro-
nomical world their presence, Since July
1lth last he has made frequent observations,
and especially in the last few days since
the planet has been approaching the most
favorable position.
PROFESSOR HALLS OBSERVATIONS.
To q reporter Professor Hall said that
his observations have been of rather "A
technical nature, relative to the rotation OF
the planet upon its axis and the movement
of the satellites. The latter are found un-
changed and the calculations previously
made upon their movements verified.
He has also observed the surface OF the
planet itself. and has closely scrutlniZed
the whitish-looking mass at ITS south pole,
supposed TO be snow. lie has seen the
mass diminish in area as the movement OF
the planet brings 1t more directly under
the sun. Just such an effect as is produced
in the melting of polar SHOWS upon this
earth. Professor Hall finds no reason why
people should not think this is snow.
Professor Hall has looked in vain for the
double canals of Schiaparelli. he has
seen the long lines, but they are single
and do not appear to have any relation to
each other. Schiaparelli, the eminent
Italian astronomer. saw these lines and
advanced the theory that they were parallel
banks of immense canals. Both the Naval
Observatory and the Lick observatory have
failed to substantiste Schlapareilrs OBJ
servation in this regard.
MOVEMENTS OF THE SATELLITES.
In studying the movements of the satel-
lltes Professor Hall finds that one OF them
makes three revolutions within twenty
four hours. The satellite nearest the
planet is the smaller of the two, being
only eight miles in diameter, IL Is less
than 1900 miles from the planet. Ihe
other ono, which is $4,000 miles distant, is
about twenty miles IN diameter II viewed
from the surface of Mars they would ap-
pear to be about one fifth the size OF the
! full moon of this earth, and they revolye
so rapidly that the inner one appears 70
move through the sky from west TO east,
and therefore rises In the west.
Thus far the observations have not pro-
duced any startling revelations, but the
astronomers expect that important dis
coveries will be made within the next
few days. as the planet approaches Its
most favorable position. Beyond such
investigations of the surface and atmos-
pheric conditions of the planet as VIII De
possible the astronomers will be able 10
mako some mathematical reductions OF
value to science. and which Will be used
in October, 1894, when another favorable
opportunity will be presented In making
and verifying minute calcuiations upon
the positions of the planet and sateiites-
TEXAS cLAIRvoYANT.
Professor Hall received communica-
ton few days ago from. lady IN Fort
Worth, Tex, who claims that her l3-year-
old daughter is a clairyoyant and hoius
communication with the inhabitants OF
Mars, and can give minute descriptions OF
their customs, laws. and government. Her
aid has not yet been solicited by the op-
servatory, the scientists preferring to trust
TO telescope, which can pring 10 View
body OF matter only four miles IN diane
ter, which is situated 55,000,sO0 miles
away.
The fight OF George Bartals, paying
teller OF the Central Trust and savings
Bank, OF Chicago, with the comparatively
insignificant sum of $1,000 OF the banks
money has unearthed what seems 10 have
been an extensive conspiracy to defraud nve
Chicago banks. The scheme was partly sue
cessful. and over $50. .0Uc vas secured from
BGrteis's former employers. but has since
been made good. Another bank - SAID 70
have lost $40. 900. which amount was also
made good. Three men, formerly con
nected with tho Chicago Bank-Note Com
pany, have been arrested charged with
conspiracy to defraud and the issuance OK
fraudulant paper. These are Wiiiilm A.
Forbes. N. w. Burnside. and Charles nnn-