The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-08-04
MARS IN OPPOSITION.
A Splendid Spectacle in the South
ern Heavens Last Night.
CLEAR SKIES FOR OBSERVATION.
Telescopes and Opera Glasses Turned on
tho Bright Particular Jewell OF tho
Beavens-ProE Holden Depiores the
Excitement Over His Observations.

At sunset last night red point Of
light on the southeastern horizon began
to rise and glow. Its color aud magni-
tude were sufficient to dim every other
star in the sky, for Mars famed almost
with the brightest splendor Of Jupiter.
For about an hour after the sun went
down the planet was in the southeast,
and at midnight it was very nearly due
south. Mars will be the particular bright
jewel Of the heavens throughout the
month. Hundreds OF people In this city
observed the splendid red orb through
field glasses and opera glasses and astron-
omers all over the country observed 1t
with the greatest enthusiasm.
The opposition of Mars with the earth
occur once in every two years or SO. but
they only occur in the month Of August
or September once In fifteen years. Mars
Is very much nearer the earth at these
fall oppositions than he Is when In oppo-
sition at any other time Of the year, and
his splepdor Is four times as great. The
next August opposition will not occur
until 1907. He Is now only 200
miles away. which Is the nearest he can
ever approach TO us.
The precise time Of opposition was LEI
O'Clock this morning. But the difference
between its distance from the earth at
last night was SO slight as TO be entirely
imperceptible in its effect upon the OBJ
servations.
While telescopes of the extraordinary
size aud power Of the Lick glass, and at
mospheric conditions at least rs good as
|, those on Mount Hamilton. are required
for the observation of the finer details of
Mars geography, yet with much smaller
telescopes and far less favorable atmos-
phere Interesting observations were made
last night, and similar observations will
be possible for flew weeks to come.
With TELESCOPES six and a half inches
in aperture and a magnifying power of
about 800 diameters very beautiful
view OF the planet can now be obtained.
The south polar snow cap appeared bril-.
liant Ia contrast with the darker hue Of
the adjacent regions Of the planet.
some Of the larger dark expanses, that
are called seas are clearly visible and very
distinctly defined. The delicate reddish
tint OF the broader continental areas is
also finely seen.
While it Is impossible with any, except
few OF the giant telescope, to see those
strange markings called Schiaparelli's
canals" yet any good telescope, five or
SIX Inches In aperature, Is capable Of Civ
ing most interesting and inspiring views
OF the planet Mars at the present time.
Notwithstanding the faintness Of most
or the markings, which required trained
eve to be readily distinguished, one can
not long study the wonderful variety ex-
hibited by the surface of this distinct
globe without feeling that some of the
speculations indulged In as to its habita-
bility have fairly good basis to rest
upon.
Prof. Holden Cautions Enthusiasts
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 4-Prof. Holden
OF Lick Observatory has not responded TO
the request for the result of last nights
observations OF Mars. IL has, however,
been learned that the night was clear and
Holden sent this dispatch:
"All, or nearly all, the present excite
ment over Mars 10 exaggerated, and utter
lly useless TO the people In general, as IL Is
harmful, TO true science. Exaggerated
and ignorant expectations, such as relate
to communication with the inhabitants OF