The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1901-12-19
BILE that it could be trifed with.


parture were being made Lord Kelvin
instituted other experiments that were
no less unique in their results The ex-
perience of those who had taken unpre-
meditated flights in elliptical orbits
when they had run from the vicinity of
the Martians suggested the throwing of
solid objects in various directions from
the surface of the planet in order to de-
termine the distance that they would go
and the curves they would describe in
returning.
For these experiments there was moth
ing more convenient or abundant than
chunks of gold from the Martians' mine.
These, accordingly, were hurled in
various directions and with every de-
gree of velocity A little calculation
had shown that an initial velocity of 80
feet per second impaired to one of these
chunks, moving at right angles to the
radius of the asteroid, would, if the re-
sistance of an almost inappreciable at
mosphere were neglected, suffice to
turn the piece of gold into little satel
lite that would describe an orbit around
the asteroid and continue to do so for
ever, or at least until the slight atmos-
pheric resistance should eventually
bring it down to the surface.
But less velocity than 30 feet per
second would cause the golden missile
to fly only part way around, while
greater velocity would give it al clip
tical instead of circular orbit, and i'll
this ellipse it would continue to revolve
around The asteroid in the character OF
q satellite.
If the direction of the original i'm
pulse were at more than a right angle
to the radius of the asteroid, then the
flying body would pass out to greater
or less distance in space in an elliptical
orbit eventually coming back again and
falling upon the asteroid, but not at the
same spot from which it had departed.
So many took part in these singular
experiments, which assumed rather the
appearance Of outdoor sports than of
scientific demonstrations that in short
time we had provided the asteroid with
very large number of little moons or
satellites of gold, which revolved around
it in orbits of various degrees of clip
ITCHY, taking on the average about
three-quarters of an hour to complete a
circuit. Since, on completing revolu-
ton, they must necessarily pass through
the point from which they started, they
kept us constantly on the qui vive to
avoid being knocked over by them rs
they swept around in their orbits.
Finally the signal was given for all
TO embark. and with great regret the
savants quilted their scientific games
and prepared to return to the electric
ships.
Just on the moment of departure the
fact was announced by one who had
been making a little calculation on a
bit of paper that the velocity with
which body must be thrown in order
to escape forever from the attraction of
the asteroid and to pass on to an inf
mite distance in any direction was only
about AZ feet in second
Manifestly it would be quite easy to
impart such "a speed as that to the
chunks of gold that we held in our
hands
"Hurrahp' exclaimed one. "Let's
send some Of this back to the EARTH.
"Where is the earth?" asked another.
Being appealed to, several astrono-
mers turned their eyes in the direction
of the sun, where the black armament
was ablaze with stars, and in moment
recognized the earth star shining there
with the moon attending close at hand
There" said one, sis the earth.
Can you throw straight enough to hit
it?'
well try" was the reply, and i'm
mediately several threw huge golden
nuggets in the direction of our far away
world, endeavoring to impart to them
at least the required velocity of 40 feet
in a second which would insure their
passing beyond the attraction of the
asteroid and, if there should be no dis
turbance on the way and if the aim
were accurate, their eventual arrival
upon the earth.
Here's for you, old earth, " said one
of the throwers. GOOD luck and more
gold to you'll"
If these precious missiles ever reach
ed the earth, we knew that they would
plunge into the atmosphere like meteors
and that probably the heat developed by
their passage would melt and dissipate
them in golden vapors before they could
touch the ground.
Yet there was chance that some of
them-if the aim were true-might sur
vive the fiery passage through the at
mosphere and fall upon the surface of
our planet, where perhaps they would
afterward be picked up by prospectoI
and lead him to believe that he had
struck new bonanza.
But until we returned to the earth il
would be impossible for US to tell what
had become of the golden gifts which
we had launched into space for oul
mother planet
"All aboard" was the signal and
the squadron having assembled under
the lead of the flagship we started agar
for Mars.
This time, as it proved, there was t.
be no further interruption, and wher
next we paused it was in the presence
Of the world inhabited by our enemie
and facing their frowning batteries.
| VHo did not G,,l or oaex, - .ko~