The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-03
MARS WILL BE OPPOSITE
ASTRONOMERS on THE oUI I'VE.
Early in the Morning They VIII Level
Telescopes and Photographic Ma
chimes at the Bright Planet

At l:2l o'clock on the morning Of to-mor-
row occurs what is astronomically called an
opposition Of the planet Mars. which Is
Just now very bright object in the east
ern sky at evening. This event which is
one Of most important interest to astrono-
mers, is 80 called, because at that time the
planet referred to comes in such q position
when seen from our globe, that it is at q
point in the sky exactly opposite the TO
sun. Mars has lately been regarded as the
most interesting of the vast solar family
outside of the earth.
TWO sTBAS0K MOONS.
At least fifteen years must elapse before
this planet comes so near us again. the last
TINE having been IN 1877. At that time two
strange moons were discovered and il il
taT 70 suppose they will again be seen under
favorable circumstances so we may learn
something more about them. But. espe-
cially are the canals of Mars. a. they are
called, 10 De the object OF attention and
study on this occasion.
Schi1pereil. an Italian astronomer. dis
covered them twelve years ago. No one
astronomer has since succeeded ia finding
oil OF them, but. thanks 70 the wonderful
Lick telescope and other powerful instru-
ments. enough has been seen 10 CONFIRM his
discovery of a network of straight lines.
seemingly wator-cOurses. which cover the
planets whole surface between the polar
circles.
it is not likely that any astronomer
thinks they are actually artificial canals.
but they are so called because Of their
straiRhtness; and besides their magnitude
would seem sufficient % dispel such an
idea
WE CANNOT CONCEIVE.
They are thought 20 be hundreds and
thousands q miles long. and average sew
enty-fve 10 100 miles wide. We cannot
conceive OF the size aud resources OF peo-
pie able to build such mighty works.
Then, too, the astronomer mentioned
noticed that they periodically doubled in
size. This would seem 10 be natural
phenomenon, although as yet it is all
mystery in spite of many theories advanced
IN explanation.
Mars resembles our world in many re-
spects. having atmosphere water. snow.
ice, clouds, seasons and other phenomena
which are common 30 us. but yet differs
from US vastly, ss for instance having an
equal division Of surface into land and
water, besides other material points OF
difference.
No doubt we shal be able to make some
exceedingly interesting discoveries on oc-
casiOn OF this opposition. for the wonderful
advances made III telescopes. the improve
meut in spectroscopes, snd the art Of estro-
nomical photography, invented and per
fected since 1871, will all 20 TO help towards
this end.
DO PEOPLE live THEREY
We can scarcely expect to find evidence
directly proving Mars 20 be peopled, for the
present instruments must needs be in
creased il power thousands Of times for
that purpose But we may expect TO find
enough 10 enable us by reasoning upon
analogies, to say probably, whether Mars Is
lifeless. though with an atmosphere and
water or whether there are also human be-
ings there az on our earth.
All sorts Of queer ideas as TO communi-
eating with Mars. have been entertained
and discussed, as for Instance, by flashing
powerful lights drawing geometrio figures
on the earth and others wilder aud more
visionary still
The Academy of Sciences, Paris, has
legacy of go 900 left them by generous
lady who died lately 10 be given the dis
cOYerer of any mans Of communication
with the planet. Some entirely novel dis
covery wonderful. unknown, surprising
and unexpected must be made before we
can expect anything absolutely proving the
existence Of people there.
Or GREAT BERyICR.
Mars has been of greatest service 10 the
science Of astronomy Many very import
ant discoveries having been made by aid of
its phenomena.
The reports OF astronomers whose tele-
scopc tubes will be turned towards this
brightly beaming star will be awaited with
interest, such interest as has never been be-
fora faif