Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-02-25
DESIGNS A CHART
Grocer of Davenport Sees Solar
System From Orbit of
Jupiter.
IT Is A REMARKABLE WORK
Plans to Have Carnegie Pay for
LithOgraphing 1t for Use
in Libraries.

BAH 5 lecture here under the auspices
Of the Tri-City Press Club that emf
nent scientist and astronomer discov-
cred in Alfred Behrens, n modest gro
GER resident in the northwestern sec
ton of Davenport, at 1854 West Lo-
Gust street, an astronomical genius
When Sir Robert was entertained
at the home of {. y. Ficlle. eX-mayor
of the city, he was shown photo
graph of a handmade astronomical
chart which at once greatly interest
ed him. He inquired rs to its author.
and when told stated that he desired
To see him.
Accordingly after the lecture Sir
Robert and Alfred Behrens met and
the scientist warmly felicitated the
grocer.
The next morning Mr.. Behrens was
handed an autograph letter from the
great astronomer in which the chart
was highly commended for its in
geniouS character and thanks extend
ed To the modest grocer for his gift.
Who Alfred Behrens Is.
Alfred Behrens is a German. born
and reared in Davenport, who always
has had prediction for the study
of astronomy. He has read every text
book on astronomy within reach and
knows every constellation in the hea-
vens as he does the alphabet. In as
tronomy he is genius ana an en-
thuSiaSt.
His chart. which is the work of
years of study, shows the view which
some explorer of the planetary re-
IL g
the orbit of Jupiter, the first of our
superior planets, and looked upon
the imaginary orbits of the interior
planets.
The chart, truly, is an ingenious
one.
Mr.. Behrcns is over forty years
old and the father of boy of fifteen
wears. who, like his father. is inter
estcd i'm astronomy. He operates Il
grocery store and farmers supply de
pot near the northwestern city limits,
and, while not rich, is still in COM
Portable circumstances.
Il always thought had discovered
something HScful in the designing of
that chart" said he, but never had
he means at hand to lithograph it SO
as 10 supply the school rooms and text
books with it. That requires money.
which. at the present time, l cannot
spare from my business.
THE title of my chart. which have
drawn to a scale of one-siXtecnth of
an inch to 100000 miles. and which
* 16N24 inches in size. is View of
Our Interior Planets as Seen From
the Orbit of Jupiter
The object | had in making the
chart was the simplificatiun of pre-
sentation tea the mind of the beginner
in the study of the solar system.
Tie chart presents a clear conception
of the comparative sizes of the in
terror planets. and of their orbits.
etc. as they revclvc
around the sun.
Ills view is an imaginary one. and
* supposed to he attained from the
orbit of Jupiter.
when | publish the chart / will
have it. autographed i'm colors and
mounted on linen in the size of 3 by
! feet and provided with an almanac,
which will contain the primary know
ledge afforded in astronomy and |
physical geography.
The theories of eclipsCs, the sol |
sticcs. day and night. seasons. zodia- |
cal signs, etc. etc, with the tabulat |
cd distances. areas and movements of
the planets will be contained in the
almanac. The chart
and almanac will he Il valuable addi
tion to every schoolroom and library
in the country"
What UnfarInr