New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-16
DESCRIPTIONS OF MARS.
PROFESSOR HALL. TELLS WHAT HAS AND
HAS NOT BEEN SEEN
FLAMMAR.Oy': MISTAKEN OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
PICKERIyG's WORK IN .OUTH AMERICA.
To rup TkIpUNE.t

pIoKERTyG's WORK IN -oUrH AMERICA.
,Br TELEGRAPH TO THE TkrBUSE-l
Washington. Aug. I5.--In reply TO a request rom a
Tribune correspondent for information concerning MS
moro observations OF Mars, and for MS opinion
as TO the criticisms Of certain European astronomers
upon American theories and conclusions. PROFESSOR
Asaph Hall. Of the Naval observatory. said to-day:
while have found nothing absolutely new SO
far at this observatory. We are carrying out one OF
the soundest rules governing labor. one OF the
truest principles OF astronomy. l might say that
Is, we verifying over and over asnin what mas
been observed. Thus we get what Is so very essen
tlal-accuracy, which Is what we most seek In all
our efforts 10 learn the motions. distances ana phases
OF the heavenly bodies.
az have previously said that II IS probable that
We SHALL during the present opposition, learn few,
II any, additional facts relating 10 Mars but from
the observations now being made we shall secure
data for better map Of the surface OF that planet
than Aow have, and this fact alone is sufficient
reward - all our labor.
in reference to NJ. Fammarion's published com
ments concerning the inability Of astronomers to
the soealled sehapar~llI canals think he mistakes
what has been and said by American astronomers.
From perusa OF his signed articles In New York
paper / judge that he Is Of the opinion that
limos have been observed here on the surface OF
Mars. Such Is not the case. Lines have been seen
through all the larger telescopes In this country.
ever, 80 far as know, been observed by any ex.
aminers In the United States. In other words no one
questions the fact taat single lines crossing Mars
with almost mathematical precision In width and dl.
recton can be seen; VIC all see them. The only
question Is whether thee lines which we sos ere double
or single. So far my information goes no observer
In this country has been able to see than the
single lines. Therefore say. N. Flammari0n mis-
takes us. We do not question the existence OF
lines. We only question their doubleness.
Let US look al schlaparci's chnrtD continued the
professor producing the chart together with book Of
his tables Of computations "From this chart 1t an
pears that the lines canals Mars are fr IN
thirty to fifty mills apart. At tho distance OF Mars
The angle would he very small one, and the definition
would he an extremely fine Hence 1t wonld be
very dicult TO tho hnes under the most fav.
oTSbo conditions Of Mas's altitude and otmo-
pierre width OF fifty miles, for example would sub
tend On angle OF thr~c tefhs OF second Of arr 50 that
wouid 10 necessary 10 usc most powerful telescope,
we Will say. under excellent conditions OF atmosphere
at the potns OF observation to these lines nt all
AZ the Lick Observatory the opportunities, including
'r'trument. clvaLon and atmo sphere. for observing
those lines, unsurpassed, as far as the northern
HON splere Is concerned. Yet, I understand that
single and no double lines have been seen BY the
astronomers az that station. During the present op.
position OF Mnrs-he Is only at an altitude OF 30
degrss-I bavc heard Of no one who has seen double
hic- running 10 eaCn otter, anu Separ1tci by
Intervals, say fifty miles wide and II Is my opinion
that there Is little or hope Of seeing Ich small
angle. hore, at least. do not say positively that
these double inc' do rot exist, that they are
actual canals, made by beings who possessed pro
found knowledge Of mathematics, but will say that
single lines only have besn observed, and that In the
language Of another II the canals were made BY human
hcincs Mnrs had the most wonderful engineers
imagnablc.r
Concerning the observations OF Professor Pickering
nj Arcqupa. Peru, Professor Hall said Professor
Pckcrinss station far observations being In south
latitude 10 degrees. and elevated about 200 feet is
most excellent Mars VIII pass about degrees south
Of his zcnth. or almost directly above him. Altogether
this is the bcsI position IN the world Unfortu-
nacly, Professor Hckerngs telescope Is only twelve
inches In aperture AMI the advantage Of position may
DO counerbaanced by the small power of the nstrl
ment used. s on account OF his favorable position.
expect him report great deal VI valuable in
formation concerning Mars.
80 far the only thing that Professor Pickering
reports Is the discovery OF black spot the south
polar cap OF Mars, whore /. with others, have OBJ
servcd, and are now closely examining n white spot
supposed TO be- snow. As | understand II, the black
spot Professor iickcrng has seen Is thought to he
land which Is gradually Increasing In Size as the
snow is melted away 10y the suns heat until at an
early day In July, IL aluallcd n thousand miles I'm
length. distinctly dividing the snow In two parts.
This would he perfectly consistent with phenomena Of
The Kind rs We know them the snow running on TO
The ! regret very much 70 say, however, that
the Dimensions Of the white cap-prohaby SHOW
and referred 10 under close examination, do
not, through the glass at the Naval Observatory APP
pear 10 grow smaller. owing 10 the suns heat. 50
that my observations do not seem 10 confirm the re-
port of Professor Pickering. And yet Sre the white
spot WITH considerable dlstincness and without the
slightest Intention cavil doubt. have thought
Int the dark spot observed by Professor Pickering
n shadow,
Of the noon
" grant that The position of an observer Of Mars
Just now material 10 accuracy, ana while say TINT
/ DO not SOC any chang In the dimensions OF the
great white cap at ,fars's south pole ! make the
mental reservation. scientists must In such cases
that atmospheric conditions here may make my
horizon indstlnct and affect my results, adherDg nj
he same time 10 the statement that to me- the Size
Of the white cap has not changed