The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-07-17
Constructed from mum erous drawings.

airy or March. A variation of some d.
000, 600 miles in the distance between us at
the time of opposition accounts for this
difference in lis greatest bTlliancy," and
when we reflect that at other times the
planet may be as much as $50, 000, 900 miles
away, or 215.000,000 miles farther than at
the most favorable opposition, IL is easy to
understand that the present Drilliancy Of
the fiery planet may dwndle to the most in
significant proportions. 1t is now at dis
lance of about 10, 600. COO miles.
Through the telescope Mars Is seen to
have numerous markings which. though
continually appearing to change on account
OF the planets rotation, are really perma-
nent. and give a certain indication to the
cOn6guTatlOn OF the surface. We see CONT
nents and ISLANDS, and shaded portions
which appear to be oceans and seas. Snow
caps are made out at the north and south
poles of this interesting planet. Some
acute observers have noticed great number
of streaks, which they term canals" And
still, while maps of Mars are constructed in
which land and water are plainly depicted
by the studiOuS astronomer, the outlines
are so hard to trace that one OF the most
celebrated of American scientists has said
that "a single look at Mars through a large
telescope would convince most observers
that these reSemblances 10 our earth have
very small foundation In observation, the
evidence being negative rather than posi-
tive. 1t must be said in their favor that If
at which we view Mars, and with the
same optical power, it would present a
similar telescopic aspect" The same au-
thority suggests that wonderful advance
in our telescope assistance might possibly
cause all resemblance TO vanish. Mean
while we may reyel in the fascinating
thought Of a sister planet, peOpled with
human beings, possibly aware of our exist
ence and studying our daily lives through
telescopes of unimaginabe power.
hn Lost ffstsn n sllRFNll In nlA
position occurred Qn September, 1S77) the
renowned American astronomer Asaph
Hall signaliZed the event by the discovery
of two hitherto unknown satellites. They
are very small, and very close to the
primary. and, with the possible exception of
some of the asteroids, are altogether the
most Insignificant bodies known TO exist.
Fancy the moonlight effects produced by
satellite one three-hundredths the size OF
our Cwn. Yet the discovery OF these two
minute bodies has been elassed as one of
the most brilliant obseryational achieve
mentS of the present century, and will make
Professor Halls name immortal They are
considered the most difficult to ses Of all
known telescope objects. 1t gives one an
idea of the wonderful power of the Lick
telescope to learn that in the sprlng of 1883,
during q far from favorable opposition OF
Mars, the satellites were easily seen, even
by visitors 10 the observatory who were
unaccustomed to telescope work.
H0 tulusS We t1dy NOUS 10 learn
from the present opposition Of Mars, though
not numerous, are important | think it is
not too much to say that the close of 1892
may find astronomers in possession of MANY
facts which for years have been idle theory.
For example, In 1877 celebrated Italian
astronomer announced the discovery OF the
canals, but no two observers have seen
them alike since Several powerful teIe-
scopes have been constructed during the in
teryal. including the mammoth instrument
In California. which has been aptly termed
the king of Telescopes" 1t is not i'm
probable that Professor Barnard or Profess
sOr Schaeberle with their keen vision may
discover the true meaning Of these myster-
ious lines. Then again the motions Of the
satellites are not precisely determined.
After this opposition we will know much
more about them. Moreover. in astronomy
there is no telling what the morrow may
bring forth, and it must be confessed that
the Lick Observatory has yet to startle the
world. ARCTURUS.