The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-03
LIFE in OTHER WORLDS
A SUMMARY OF Ill THE EVIDENCE
GATHERED ON THE SUBJECT.
Reasonably Certain that No COndi-
lions Exist Like Those on the Earth
Other Forms Possible.
Popular Science Monthly.

Popular Science Monthly.
Supply of energy, particular elements,
range of temperature. abundance of water,
are essential to life-i. e.. such life as is
known to US: and it is difficult to avoid the
conclusion that this life is really the out
come of the conditions existing on our
earth, and that only in worlds with identi-
cal conditions can identical life exist. 1t is
quite odd how. in spite of the advance of
biological science and the acceptance of
the principles of evolution, the notion still
prevails that life in other worlds is similar
TO that of our earth. We find astronomers
searching for the absorption bands of chic
rophyll in the spectrum of Mars; marks on
planets are described as probable vegeta-
ton; some worlds are supposed to be unin-
habitable because they have not atmos-
phere, others because the temperature is
too high for the existence of "protOplasm."
All this indicates a very contracted view
of the nature OF life. Chlorophyl, reSplra-
ton, vegetable, animal, and protoplasm are
earthly phenomena which may exist no
where else: their place may be taken in
other worlds by other phenomena no less
wonderful. What we know OF terrestrial life
gives us reason TO think that the same
principles which produce life under earthly
conditions may produce life or a Inherent
type under different cOnditions-e. g., where
the temperature is different, and a different
set of elements are available.
Since popular ideas as to the physical
conditions of other worlds are generally
hazy and often far from correct, it m
not be amiss TO recount such particulars
as astronomical research has revealed in
the members of the solar system. In look
ing for a world where the conditions are
most like our own, we naturally turn first
TO Venus. Her size and gravitation are
nearly the same as those Of the earth, and
her atmosphere may therefore be expected
to have a similar density and to hold APP
prOximately the same gases. As she is
nearer the sun, the general temperature
would be considerably higher, and the
equatorial region might be too hot for our
life; but there might, nevertheless, be a
suitable temperature nearer the poles. But
our speculations are damped by a SuS-
picion, strong but not fully confirmed, that
Venus has no day and night, but always
keeps the same side toward the sun. If this
is really the case, then the sunny side
must be always burning hot and quite dry.
while the opposite side must be always
encased in ice-nay, more, in a mixture of
ice and soliditied atmospheric gases. The
life of such a world must be very differ
ent from any that we know.
POSSIBILITIES OF MARS.
After Venus. Mars is the planet whose
conditions seem most to resemble those
of our world. But there are far greater
differences than are generally supposed.
Mars is so small that he cannot provide
much heat from within, and so far from
the sun that he receives comparatively
little heat from without. His graVitation
is so slight that the atmosphere is rare
and nearly cloudless, and therefore heat
must be readily lost by radiation. Thus on
theoretical grounds Mars should he intense
ly cold; in fact, his surface should be con-
stantly in the condition of the highest
mountain tops of our world, only receiving
less heat than they do from the sun. AT
such low temperature and pressure, water
could never exist in the liquid form, though
II might be solid or gaseous. In any case,
lie OF our earthly type.
The surface of the moon is usually con-
sldered TO have been for a long time in an
inert state. If 1T had been so, the accum-
ulatlon OF meteoric stones and dust during
ages would have covered 1t with a uniform
veil. Instead Of this, the surface presents
much variety of tint and texture, indi-
eating a stlll continuing geological activity;
ana some changes in its markings are said
To have been observed In recent years. Pro-
lessor Lapwortl', regarding it with a geolo-
glStS eye, feels convinced that the moon is
an active and living world. The geological
activity may be the result of the extremes
OF temperature which are produced by the
regular alienation of a half-month's sun
shine and a half-mOnth's darkness. At
the same time such extremes might awaken
TO vital activity elements which behave
as dead on this earth.
In contrast TO the moon are the very
large planets, Jupiter and Saturn. Owing
to the high gravitation, the atmosphere
VI SUI AC1lCN - = Il GDS dIlu So dO
with opaque particles that we cannot see
through it TO the body of the planet with
in. But though the body is beyond our
scrutiny, we can infer that it is very hot,
even at the surface; for if the solar sys-
tenn was formed las is assumed by con-
densation of a nebula, the heat of condensa-
ton must De prOportionately greater and
longer retained in a large world than in a
small one. Thus for the purposes of life on
these great planets the energy radiating
from within may be available, and indeed
may largely exceed the energy received
from the sun at so great a distance. The
satellites of these planets may resemble
less energy from the sun. OF Uranus and
Neptune we know very little; but their
large size leads us TO suppose that their
physical conditions may have some resem-
blance to those of Jupiter and Saturn.
What can we say of the possibility of life
in the sun? The visible surface or photo
sphere has q temperature so high that even
iron exists there as a gas. and almost all
chemical compounds known to us NAV be
dissociated. The deeper parts are doubtless
far hotter still, with chemical possibilities
or impossibilities beyond our COMPREHENSION
In fact, the chemistry of the sun is of SO
different an order from any that we have
experience OF, that we cannot reconcile
it with any of our notions of life.
We are considering only such life as de.
Ponds on the same principles as earthly life
We may admit the possibility Of other kinds
of life, having nothing in common with
such life as we know, but at present we
have no grounds for speculation concerning
them. keeping WITHIN the bounds of legiti-
mate induction, We are led to the following
conclusions:
First-If life is essentially a function OF
the elements nitrogen, oxygen, carbon and
hydrogen, acting together, then it can prob
ably occur only on exceptional worlds. with
conditions closely resembling those of oul
own earth. Such conditions are not pres
ent in any other world in our solar system
nor can they be expected to occur frequent.
ly In members of other systems.
Second-On the other hand, if different
| conditions a avalon n no Uaoi4xr fA- -
allied energy traffic among other dement,.
than those just named, then the universe
TVCTSETTT ~.