Evening journal., 1892-08-02
MARS NEAR OLD EARTH.
The Planet Is Now Only 35,-
100000 Miles Away.
ASTRONOMERS ON THE LOOKOUT

ASTRONOMERS On The LOOKOUT,
The Big Lick Telescope Trained on the
brilliant Beauty in Search of New
Facts-The Planet May BE Inhabited
ana Indications of Life May BE Found.
LICK OBSERVATORY, Aug. 1.-The astrono-
mers here are eagerly waiting for Wednes-
lay night, when Mars will be in opposition
to the sun, in order TO confirm their obser-
vations made during the last month. The
planet is closer 20 us now than at any time
since August fifteen years ago, when Pro
fessor Hall, Of Washington, first discovered
its satellites, and it will not furnish as good
opportunities for observation again till 1909.
During July the Mount Hamilton astrono-
meis have been observing Mars two hours
each night, when the planet is on the me
ridian, and they will continue these observa-
! tions throughout August The highest
magnifying power practicable has been zoo
diameters, the equivalent distance Of the
| planet being $4,000 miles Mars is now very
low in the sky, and when on the meridian
! is only 81 degs. above the horizon. For
this reason the markings are very difficult
to see, the atmospheric disturbances being
so great
With the low altitude, the planets I'M
steadiness due to the atmosphere, causes
all the markings at times to disappear. The
two satellites, the two smallest objects
known in the solar system, are just visible
to an observer with the l2-inch telescope
when he knows exactly where to look for
them.
They are conspicuous objects in the So
inch telescope, and have been seen by all
visitors. The eclipses of the inner satellite
IN the planets shadow are easily observ-
able. Since the outer satellite does not
suffer eclipse now, it is necessary to obtain
the positions Of that satellite by micromet-
rcal measurements, which are made regu-
larry IN order to properly determine its
orbit.
New Markings Seen.
The south polar cap of Mars was unusu-
ally brilliant and large month ago, but it
is rapidly diminishing in size and bright
ness This variability of the polar caps has
led astronomers to believe that they are
composed Of snow and ice. The south polar
cap diminishes accordingly as summer in
that hemisphere comes on, and increases
]
time there are numerous dark markings
within this polar cap, as if there were large
areas from which the snow had disap-
peared. These markings have not been seen
before at any observatory.
The region on the surface known as the
Locus Soils is now seen nearly as it APP
peared through the 36-inch telescope during
the opposition Of 1880, and very different
from its appearance as shown in the draw
ings of Schiaparelh The Fons Juventutis
fountain Of youth, a large, dark region
heretofore seen single, now appears double
through the large refractor
But most remarkable of all the observed
phenomena are three or more very promi-
nent bright projections on the southwest
limb Of Mars, visible for several nights for
short time each evening about three
weeks ago. They will probably be visible
on the southwest limb in about two or
three weeks, when it is hoped to determine
more fully their character.
Apparently these projections arise from
very bright regions on the planet. Whether
they are high mountains or are due to some
other phenomena it is now impossible to
say Up to the present time Schiaparellrs
canals have not been seen double Draw
ing Of the planet are made on each clear
evening These drawings win finally be
converted into single map at the close Of
the summer observations
Is the Planet Inhnbitod9
Last night on the south polar cap very
complex and numerous dark markings were
visible The unique spectacle of markings
in the snowcaps has been noted not only
with the large telescope, but also with the
l2inch by, Barnard, who some time ago OBJ
served that on one night dark streak
would appear across the polar cap, and then
would follow n separation, and then the dis
appearance of large portion Of the polar
cap, leaving two white spots.
Among astronomers there was great
curiosity to know what the big Lick tele.
scope would accomplish in the observation
of Mars diminutive satellites. Nothing had
been added 10 the worlds knowledge of
them for fifteen years until now, when the
great telescope has made clear their phases
and defined their diameters, an achieve
ment which marks an epoch in astronomy.
just before Halls discovery the great equa-
torial telescope Of the Washington observa-
tory had been completed and it was
through this that the discovery was made.
Since then the Lick telescope, greater than
all, has been erected, and is having its first
chance at Mars under the most favorable
conditions.
Schiaparelli's romantic theory Of gemi.
, mated canals has already been disproved
! but any night may bring into view objects
even more indicative of the belief that the
planet is inhabited. 1t is this possibility OF
/ great discoveries that keeps the thoughts Of
astronomers the world around turned to-
ward Mount Hamilton.
II.