Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-08-09
THE DOUBLE CANALS
Discovered by Schiaparelli
on Mars Have Not Yet
Been DisprOved.
DEFENSE OF FLAMMARI0N
Of the Theories Advanced by the
Noted Italian Astronomer.
WERE NOT EXPECTED THIS YEAR
The Milan Seer Is Plainly on Record With
Such q Prediction.
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WERE NOT EXPECTED THIS YEAR
The Milan Seer Is Plainly on Record With
Such q Prediction.
VIEWS ADVANCED By PROFESSOR HALL

astronomer, in q letter just written in the
Paris edition of the Herald, says:
To-day will touch upon the great and
important observations made through the
grand equatorial of Mt. Hamilton OBJ
scrvatory, the most powerful telescope in
the world. According to these observations
the Martial canals have been recognized
and confirmed, but the illustrious director
of the Lick Observatory adds: "The latest
observations have disproved Schiaparellf's
theory that the canals in Mars are double"
1t follows that double canals have not been
seen. The case 10 the same here at Juvissy
Observatory. A certain number OF canals
were observed, but all were simple. will
mention as examples the Nasmyth Pass, the
Indus. Gauges, Gigas, Iris. Gordon, the CT
tau1 Ca:si and Pyriphligeton which is seen
to have u different course. The observations
were the more difficult as the planet has
great austral latitude and is consequently
bu: little above our horizon, and thus
scarcely emerges from mundane mists even
at its meridian passage, but It is at the near
est point in its course to earth ana is really
magnificent spectacle.
The Theory Still Sound.
The point to which wish to draw Prof
Holders attention is that not having seen
double canals does not contradict
Schiaparelli's observations. Why7 Because
they are only seen double in the spring and
autumn OF Mars. A little after the spring
equinox and little before the autumn
equinox the examinations disappear, in sum-
mer and in winter. Now the inhabitants of
the South hemisphere of Mars are in mid
summer and those of the North hemisphere
in midwinter. The spring equinox of the
South hemisphere and the autumn equinox
of the North hemisphere occurred on March
90 last. The summer solsticc OF the South
hemisphere and the winter solstice of the
North hemisphere will occur October Is
next. We cannot, therefore, observe the
examinations during the present observation
OF Mars.
1t is well known that on this neighboring
planet the seasons are twice as long as with
rs, lasting nearly six months instead of
three. the present opposition of Mars
comes nine weeks before the summer SOL
stice of the Southern hemisphere, and as in
relli, who discovered them, was careful to
warn astronomers OF what would happen
This year. Here is what he wrote in March,
lsse: ut will not be long before these con-
lectures are verified, "a opportunity will
present itself in 1892 Opposition in that
year will take place under almost the same
conditions as that of 1877, and the total ab-
sence OF examinations must be expected"
1t is evident that our knowledge OF Mars is
becoming very precise, and doubtless we
shall soon know more OF that planets
meterology than OF that of the earth.
Thoroushiy Understands the Subject.
the comment OF Professor Hall to-day on
the great French astronomers letter.
"Flammarion's conclusions are shared gen.
orally BY astronomers the world over. 1
quite agree with him that Schiaparelli's
theory of double canals in Mars Is not dis
proved simply because they cannot be seen
at the present time.
Il see, continued Professor Hall, 'that
Flammarion quotes Schiaparelli as saying
three years ago that a total absence of
examinations must be expected during the
thoroughly the Italian scientist understands
his subject"
HAS any other astronomer besides Schia-
parelli noticed these double canals in
Mars?"
"I tthink not" the Professor repli ed.
'They certainly have not been seen by any
American astronomers. Schiaparelli, how
ever, is an expert so far as Mars is con-
cerned. He has devoted the better part OF
his observations for the past 10 years to
that planet. He claims that the atmos-
pheric conditions at Milan are especially
adapted for astronomical observations, and
he puts this forth as the reason why he has
made discoveries there that have not been
made elsewhere. think he is mistaken SO
far as the superiority of Milan, astronolni-
cally considered, is concerned, for regard
tins Virginia atmosphere, as we'll as the
atmosphere of California, as equally good
But Schiaparelli, as L say, has devoted
much of his time to the study of Mars and
1t is not unreasonable that he should have
made discoveries there that are not shared
by astronomers elsewhere
Too ow for Satisfactory Results.
"Have the present observations of Mars
been productive of any new results?" 1
asked.
"No," said Prof Hall, refiectively, 'T
can't say that they have. The planet lies
too low on the horizon for satisfactory OBJ
servation. at least from this part of the
world. Now, in South America the condi-
tions are much more favorable, because, as
you see, they are further South. am
hoping that we shall hear of satisfactory
results at the observatory in Peru. There
is also good observatory in the Argentine
Republic, and the British Government has
one at fhe Cape of Good Hope, which is
likewise well situated at this time for
taking observations of the planet
Mars elevation at this time is only !
about 80 degrees. In 1894, however-two |
years from next October, to be exact-the |
planet will have reached an elevation of |
so degrees, which will afford unusual oppor- |
tunities for other observations We expect |
then to ado considerable to our store of |
knowledge regarding this planet
'It is true Mars Will not be so close to the |
earth as she is now, but the difference will |
not be material. On the other hand, the |
favorable conditions will more than offset |
the change in distance"
''You say you have never seen the double |
canals which Schiaparelli has discovered?" |
mo, but we may see them two years |
hence. / have seen the single canals, to use |
the distinguishing term, repeatedly. They |
III
why do you call them canals?" asked. |
care they really canals in point of fact |
that is to say, artificial water highways, |
such as we have on this planet?"
Mere Matter of Speculation.
''It is impossible to say what they are,
but our observations show us that the sur |
face of the planet is covered with these So
called canals, which seem to stretch across
the face of the country at great distances,
and which intersect each other, as might be
expected in any other great sts stem of water |
ways Whether they are simply rivers or
they are the work of human
agency is, of course, q mere matter of specu-
lation. hope that our observations in 1894
may shed new light upon the subject"
''Do your researches, Professor, justify
the belief that Mars is inhabited?"
while we have nothing upon which pos
itively to base such theory it is by no
means improbable. The physical features
of Mars are not unlike those of this planet
They have great continents and seas, and
= former are mountain ranges and val |