The San Francisco call., 1896-06-08

day, DIR. F. M. Close of this city has just
completed map and essay of the planet
Mars that cannot help but attract great
attention throughout the astronomical
world.
During his recent trip to Europe DIR.
Close made q series of observations in con-
junction with Flammarion and Pictet and
between them what they claim is an ac-
curate map of the planet Mars has been
made. The fol lowing article is the result
of their united efforts, now made public
for the first time:
During the past few years very many people
have had much to say on the subject of Mars.
That it was inhabited has been warmly as
serted by numerous writer's to the newspapers
and there was considerable talk of trying to
engage the attention of our Marsian neighbors
by means OF systematic light signals. But as
no one of these philosophers could satisfy the
rest of his confreres as to the proper code to
be employed, whether Morse or otherwise, the
matter of signaling did not materialize. Yet
the fact was evident that 1t is the belief of
very many thoughtful, cool-minded people that
Mars is inhabited.
There is at present but one way known to
us by which we may attempt the solution of
the problem, and that is by actual observation
OF the planet, through the giant eyes which
optical science gives us. To do this in the ex-
pectancy OF attaining the most satisfactory re-
conditions. Clearly, then, one factor of the
conditions is nearness.
In the autumn of 1892 Mars was in opposi-
ton, that is, the planet was in that portion OF
its orbit where the earth occupied place be-
tween Mars and the sun, so that the face of
Mars was illuminated in such way es to make
it well lighted. Moreover, at that time Mars,
owing to the eccen tricity of his orbit was but
35, 1000, 900 of miles from the earth, his nearest
approach to us. The conditions were there
fore OF the best, and for the two years follow
ing the closest study was given by skilled OBJ
servers to the phenomena presented by Mars.
All observers do not agree regarding certain
phenomena. Some claim TO have seen defined
markings upon the face of the planet, which
are denied by others. Some savants have de-
MED the possibility of moisture upon Mars,
others emphatieally assert the presence OF
water in the shape OF vast seas and oceans. 1t
is impossible with the aid of the most powerful
telescope to distinguish the handiwork of
man at a distance of thirty-five millions of
miles, unless the work is of such colossal char
aeter as is unknown to terrestrial labor. 1t is,
though, easy to see that the face of the planet
is marked in such a manner as to suggest that
the markings are alterations of laid and
water, resembling in many respects our own
globe. The large preponderance of competent
testimony is that Mars has an atmosphere
that its surface is covered with what is very
like land and water, and that its poles are Gov
cred with ice in the winter seasons. To such
an extent the planet Mars resembles the earth.
Physical astronomy furnishes the following
data about Mars: Diameter OF Mars 1900
miles; distance from the sun, greatest (aphe-
lion), 152 100000 miles; distance from the
1851: length of Marsian year, 697 days:
length of Marsian day, "a hours 81 minutes
% seconds.
The orbit of Mars is not a true circle. but is
quite elllptica, that it occurs that the planet
is very much nearer to US at certain passing
times than at others. Mars has two small
moons, one ofswhich completes its revolution
fha MI n
and the other in 80 hours and 1S minutes The
flrst-named moon, Phobos, appears to the Mar
slams to rise in the west and set in the east
The other, Diemos, rises in the east and sets in
the west
But it is with the very peculiar appearance
the planet presents when viewed through a
large telescope that chiefly concerns us at this
time. The strange lines that show on the sur
face of the wonderful star form the great mys-
terry. AS far back as 1880 Huyghens. noted
astronomer, observed these inexplicable
markings, but at that time the art OF telescope
making had not reached its present marvellous
perfection, and with the imperfect instrument
at his command the savant Yves unable to sat
isfactorily define the curious lines.
In 1877 Schiapparelli, an Italian astronomer
announced as the result Of his observations
that the surface of Mars was furrowed by what
he termed "canals," and from that date until
now very careful watch has been Kept by CON-
peten observers of the mysterious markings
The whole extent of the Marsian continents
is crossed by numerous dark lines, the appear-
ance of which is very variable. They traverse
the face of the planet in long, regular lines,
different from what would be the appearance
of our water-courses. They are not sinuous
They are of different lengths. some OF the
shortest being about 800 miles In length;
others measure several thousands, occupying
fully a third OF the planets circumference
Some Of them are very easily seen, others are
difficult to observe, resembling the most deli
cate spiders filament stretched across the disc
of the planet. The width of these lines is not
uniform, as in some instances they appear to
be fully 190 miles wide and in others not more
than 20 miles.
The fact is established that these enigmati-
cal lines are on the planet, and are not an
optical illusion. The large one proceeding
from Lake Nilicaus has been seen III the place
it occupies for more than 100 wears The