The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-06-25
SIGNAL FROM MARS
SOMETHING OF THE MYSTERIOUS
LIGHTS ON OUR SISTER PLANET.
Astronomers SanguineIy Discuss the
Possibilities of Establishing a
System of Comm nication.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

SAN FRANCISCO June 24.-It will be
remembered that recently a brief dispatch
to the indianapolis Journal announced that
singular discovery had been made at the
new Lowell Observatory. near Flagstaff,
A. T. The observer there had seen dis
inctly two strange lights on Mars. located
within the supposed south polar snow cap,
and which it was intimated might be a
signal from Mars Naturally such dis
covery is of far more than usual interest
to astronomers and TO others who have dab
bled in the fascinating mysteries of the
stars. The dream of life on other planets
is a very old one, and generally the men
who have entertained it have chosen Mars
as the most likely of the known planets
for human inhabitation. The idea of sig
mailing to the Martians has been put for
ward time and time again. The discov-
cry at Flagstaff will set many minds to
studying the possibilities of our reading
message from the men on Mars. if men
there be, and there will not be lacking
enthusiasts to assert that these mystic
lights may be meant to flash across the
vast void greeting from far-off world.
Mars is rapidly coming into position
where he can be observed TO better ad-
vantage than for years. On Saturday last
the interesting planet had advanced to
twenty-one degrees in the sign of the 20
diac and was in opposition to the moon and
square with the sun. On Oct. 20 Mars will
be in it's most favorable position for study
from the earth. in twenty-seven degrees OF
Aries and in opposition TO the sun IN Libra
Then the astronomers of the earth will
turn their glasses on Mars, and 1t is possi>
BILE that there will be important additions
to the sum of knowledge relating to
Mars Especially viii the e. OBSERVATORY s vat or at
in view of the fact that 1T has so early
in its history detected something that es-
capped star gazers at other points. Frank
H. Norton an Eastern astronomer, is an
enthusiast about Marian subjects. In the
last issue of the Illustrated American he
devoted a page to the subject How to
Signal Mars from which some interesting
facts and suggestions may be taken. He
MARS Is INHABITED.
'sGiven that the evidences which have
accumulated show, first, that Mars is in
habited by intelligent beings; second. that
they have the desire to communicate with
the earth: third, that they have chosen
as their method of communication certain
obvious appea RANGES on the surface of their
planet; we have only TO follow their LEAD
in the matter of design to accomplish tbs
desired object. if this be possible. The So
called canal system of Mars would be a
rather stupendous undertaking for us. hav-
ing regard to the conditions of the surface
of the earth, and would require more time
and labor and the investment OF more
money than would be accessible In the
b be'f rem apaie tSat Mars has only dam
eter of 1900 miles, and we can show sys-
tens Of ,5 way as ,,s Long a that there
still suggested to us the plan or the three
bright lights In the form of triangle, to
as Henry NJ Parkhurst has referred. with
out denying their alleged appearance.
'As this earth is pretty well lighted up
,a<x1,f Ch0
place upon it which is peculiar by being
always in darkness so far, as artificial
light is mssa brsf should be aso
should be at some point on the earth pc
culiar to itself for some reason easily dis,
possible it should respond to some point
on the Marian surface having prominence
"All these conditions seem to be full
filled, so far as can conceive, by only one
spot or the whole surface OF the earth
1t stands surrounded by its court OF lesser
pyramids. at night literally. in Egyptian
darkness except SO far as it shares with
the rest of the earth the starlight and the
graphical center. SO degrees east longitude.
30 degrees north latitude-is certainly
unique.
THE EASIEST SIGNAL.
"As was shown in the article on Mars.
it's longitude is exactly that of Syrtis Ma
jor, the most prominent Marian object.
Finally the ease with which il could be
made the most sublime beacon light ever
known to humanity brings the idea quite
within the line OF Jules Vernes peculiar
creations. The possibilities great. All
that there is to do is to obtain the permits
sion of the Khedive Chat is, the British
government and to convey to the pyramid
the most powerful electric plants that can
be made ready in time. Then run h.le
OF Edison incandescent lights up each
angle of the great pyramid from base to
apex and you have your signal. OF course
somebody will say the combined illumi-
nation could only be seen a few miles.
Well, then, light up all the other eight
pyramids of the Ghizeh group and see
how that will work. Astronomers pro-
vided with the most powerful telescope
that could be transported thither should be
on the spot to make the necessary OBJ
servations. The telegraphic wire would
keep the rest of the world acquainted with
the results of the effort. For period all
humanity would be intent on a possibility,
the magnitude of whose Importance could
hardly be exaggerated. For suppose such
communication once established, it would
not take extraordinary intelligence to de-
wise a sign language.
THE fact that men of the eminence of
Schiaparelli. Flammarion and Francis
problem we are discussing takes ii quite
out OF the realm Of phantasy. The posi-
biIity Of even extraordinary occur
renee as an effort on the part of the in
habitants Of Mars to attract the attention
| of the people of the earth has been very