The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-08-06
THE PLANET MARS
An IlIustrious Foreign Astrono-
mer's Views on the Subject.
MARS MADE A SPECIAL STUDY
His Views Of The Existsncs of Canals Con-
flrmed by the observations at Lick's 0bser-
yatory-As Seen in Other Places.

now so gloriously indicated by the Lick
telescope, was seen here today by World
correspondent. He has known of the prog
ress of the observations by the Lick as
tronomers. with whom he has been in con
ference, and expressed great admiration.
for the American enterprise which had
brought their splendid observatory into
existence at so great q cost. People In
Milan have always expressed their conf
dence in any statement regarding the
science of astronomy which Professor
Schisparelli might make, and it is gratif-
cation to them to know that the Lick tele-
famous duplicated life on Mars. OF this
planet he has made special study, havin
devoted to the work the greater part of his
active life. In the long course of observa
lions he made previous TO the issuing Of
his famous map Of Mars thirteen years ago,
Professor Schiaparelli used an S-inch glass.
Astronomers subsequently in various parts
of the earth failed to verify his lines, even
with glasses as large as &c inches, but now
it seems from reports received here about
the work of the Lick telescope that his
keen grey eyes must have q marvellous
penetration and reaching power
In talking about the subject here today
with W0Fid correspondent, Prof Schl-
aparelli said that the great lines dividing
the continents of Mars have always ap-
peared TO him very clear. II saw parallel
duplication with almost forty lines" said
be, sin 1882 and their number Increased
with successive observations without du-
plication, however, being always visible.
The identical direction of the lines proved
their connection with the soil. The vary
ing visibility of their duplication arose
from the different atmospheric conditions
at the times of the opposition
"You report of the canals on Mars was
not accepted at once, however, was it!"
"The denial of the existence of the du-
plication, >, replied the great astronomer,
always seemed 10 me absolutely unreason-
able, tor the markings were clearly seen
by four astronomers. These were myself
and Colorla ct the Milan observatory,
Perotin at the Nice observatory and
Three Of these observed the lines of Mars
during the planetary opposition. Two of
them did not perceive the duplication.
The third, Schaeberle, certified To several
cases which he noticed at the same time
as the Milan observatory"
Professor Schiaparelli was asked what
was the probable cause of this failure by
.,
| what he had seen. There might he said.
abe two causes for the diversity of obser-
walton. The first of these is the different
acromatism OF tue telescopes The visible
| ity of certain stars depends much more
upon the suitability of the instruments re-
! fiecting certain colored rays than upon the
! size of the Instruments themselves. Sew
eral of the Milanese telescope makers have
devoted special attention TO the refraction
of red rays, and think they make the best
| instruments for observing Mars, where the
| rays are red of great intensity. The acc
ond cause for the variability OF Observa-
tiens is habit. The eye, think. should be
habituated to observation of certain stars.
1t was only after fourteen years work in
observing Mars that | saw the details of
the image with any clearness, and after
that further details appeared. The Cali
| fornia astronomers, who appear to be doing
such excellent work with their fine instru-
ments, could thus probably be enabled to
see next year many things not apparent
now.n
The eminent astronomer, then asked in
regard TO the theory that Mars WIS capable
of sustaining animal or even human life,
smiled at the question.
"Some newspapers" said he, ''have at
tribCted to me the idea Of finding in the
duplication of the lines of Mars proof
that the planet was inhabited, and this
they thought was based upon the supposi-
ton that the lines were the work of reason
ing beings. l never said anything of the
kind Natural forces may have followed
out the side of the canals fifty to one hun
dred milometers long. Why they are double
it is impossible to say. and it would be
rude in an astronomer to set up his by
pothesls for discussion. Nature every
where causes phenomena, which are at
present little understood. Il would still
REQUIRE long and laborous observations be-
fore we could know definitely from what
could be seen that Mars was sustaining
lifen
DO you not, however, believe that Mars
is now inhabited, if not of human beings,
then by some lower order of the animal
kingdomsn
Il am convinced of the Availability of
the planet" replied Schiaparell, "but my
conviction upon that point is based upon
many other things than simple observa-
lions. The conditions which prevail in
Mars seem to approximate more closely
those of the earth than is the case with
any other heavenly body. It would indeed
be strange if globe like ours in many of
its important features should exist with
out life of some kind, especially when we
know that such life would be impossible on
Garth were such conditions absent. Thus
naturalists and philosophers would say
Llidl IL 10 luuCu CdoICI W oHOW dullud1
life exists on Mars than that 1t does not.
The burden OF proof therefore, rests upon
those who deny such existence"
During the present opposition of Mars.
Professor Schiaparelli has been nightly on
the scene Of his Iabors, watching the planet
through his now famous instruments, max
ing such additions to his map as his keen
eyesight has been enabled to detect. His
canal theory Is widely known here. among
the common people who regard the profess
sor with reverential awe, and would be-
lieve him if he said there were gondolas on
the seas of Mars.
GROSS ERROR.
CINcINNATI, Aug. 5.-Professor Porter
of the Cincinnati observatory, says:
IA gross error has been made by Amer
lean astronomers as to the opposition of
Mars The American Ephemers, the
standard nautical almanac, has undoubt-
| eddy guided the astronomers of tie nation,
but the BeyIiner Jdhrbuch gives the time Of
our opposition with the red planet as
clearly as possible at a little after midnight
/ August 8. The error is so apparent that
7 oc-,ot II Tho octro,.on, O ro