The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-11-11

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz-. Nov 10-The
Lowell astronomical observatory, which
was established here in 1894 for the
study of the planets. especially Mars.
is in process of removal to the City of
Mexico. The lenses of the great tele-
scope have been removed, and the ma
chinery is being taken down, to be
Shipped in few days. The object of
going south is to secure good seeing
during the winter months, and the ex-
perts who have studied the question
say this can be obtained in 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 opera
ton here during 1894 and 1895, and
many hundred of fine drawings were
made of Mars, the results showing that
our neighbOring planet is covered with
an extensive system of canals, arranged
in an artificial manner as if the work
of intelligent beings. These researches
were made by Professors Lowell, Pick
ering and Douglass, and have attained
worldwide celebrity. Professor Low
ellis discoveries induced him to order d.
new 24-inch telescope from Alvan Clark
6, Sons. with view of prosecuting
these studies still further. The new
telescope has been in use here since
August, 1896, and many new discoveries
have been made. The work has been
centered upon the planets and south
ern stars. Professors Lowell and Doug
lass have continued their observations
of Mars, while Professor Lowell and
Mr. Drew have worked on Mercury and
Venus during the day time. In the
clear air of the afternoon these planets
have shown conspicuous workings and
the astronomers have been able, not
merely 10 make maps OF the surfaces,
but to prove conclusively that the
bodies rotate once only in the course
of a revolution above The sun One face
of the planet is, therefore, turned to-
wards the sun and heated to an i'm
mense temperature, while the other is
wrapped in everlasting night. The
markings down by Lowell have settled
the question of the rotation of Mercury
and Venus, that had been partially
studied by Schiaparilii some years ago.
Mr. Lowell finds that Mercury has no
appreciable atmosphere, while Venus
has an abundance of it; but, for some
reason, she possesses only d very few
clouds. Drawings of her markings have
been forwarded TO the Royal Astronom-
ical society in London. DR.. I. j. J.
See and Mr.. COgshall have used the
new telescope on the southern double
stars, and it is announced today that
since August they have discovered $50
new stellar systems, besides measuring
100 stars recognized by previous OBJ
servers. In Mexico DR.. See viii con-
tinue his sweeps for new double stars,
and in this more southern latitude op-
portunity for new discoveries will be
especially good.
No important work on the double
stars, of the southern heavens has been
done since the survey of Sir John Her
schel, so 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 Oe found. The Mexican
government is keenly alive TO the inn
portance of this scientific expedition,
and President Diaz has not only well
coined the American astronomers, but
has instructed the Mexican national OBJ
to furnish every possible aid
to them in their work. 1t is said that
the expedition will prove the most inn
portant scientific enterprise Of this CEN
fury.