The San Francisco call., 1896-11-11
The Astronomers Believe Better
vations Can There
Be Secured.
PLANS Fer NEW RESEARCHES.
Di mantlirg Of Vantage Point That
Has Added Much to Human
Knowledge.

FLAGSTAFF, ARR, Nov. 10.-The Low
ell astronomical observatory, which was
established here in 1894 for the study of
the planets, and especially Mars, is in pro-
cess of removal to the City of Mexico.
The lenses of the great telescope have
teen removed and the machinery is being
taken down, 10 be shipped to the City of
Mexico in few days. The object IN 60
ing south is to secure better observation
during the winter months, and the experts
who have studied the question say this
can be done on the Mexican plateau,
which lies within the tropics and has an
elevation of about 5000 feet above the sea
level.
The observatory was in active operation
here during 1894 and 1885, and many hun
dreds of fine drawings were made of Mars
the result showing that our neigh boring
planet Is covered by an extensive system
o. canals, arranged in an artificial way as
though the work of intelligent beings.
These researches were made by Professors
Lowell, Pickering and Douglass ana have
attained worldwide cele brity,
Professor LowelPs discoveries induced
him 10 order new 24-inch telescope from
Avian Clark & Sons with view of prose-
cutin; these studies still further.
The new telescope has been in use here
since Aug US, 1896, and many new discov-
cries have been made. The work has
been centered upon the planets and
southern double stars. Professors Lowell
and Douglass have continued their obser-
vation of Mars, while Professor Lowell
and Mr.. Drew have worked on Mercury
and Venus during the daytime. In the
clear air of the afternoon these planets
have shown conspicuous markings, and
the astronomers have been able not
merely to make maps of their surfaces,
but TO prove conclusively that the bodies
rotate once only the course of a revolu-
tion about the sun. One face of the planet
is therefore turned toward the sun and
heated to an immense temperature while
the other is wrapped in everlasting night.
The markings drawn by Lowell have
settled the question of the rotation
OF Mercury and Venus, which had been
partially studied by Schiaparelh some
years ago. Mr.. Lowell finds that Mercury
has no appreciable atmosphere while
Venus has an abundance of it but for
some reason it possesses only very few
clouds. Drawings of its markings have
been forwarded to the Royal Astronomi-
cal Society in London.
DR.. T. J. j. See and Mr.. Cogshall have
used the new telescope on the southern
double stars and it is announced to-day
that since August l they have discoverec
$50 new stellar systems, besides measuring
100 stars recognized by previous observers
In Mexico. DR.. See will continue hi!
sweeps for new double stars, and in thi.
more southern latitude opportunity fol
new discoveries will be especially good
No important work on the double stars o
the southern heavens has been done since
the survey of Sir John Herschel, sixty
years ago. The plan is to sweep over the
whole of the unknown region Of the sky
about the south pole, and it is believed
that hundreds of new twin stars will bt
found.
The Mexican Government is keenly alive
to the importance of this scientific expe
dition, and President Diaz has not only
welcomed the American astronomers, but
has instructed the Mexican National Oh
servatory to furnish every possible aid tc
them in their work. 1t is said that the
expedition will prove the most important
scientific enterprise of this century.