The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-16

tho fact Of canals being on the interest
ing planet floating 1900 600 miles from the
earth.
In my firm belief, 1t Is only q question
Of time, possibly of months, maybe few
years. when We shall be able to determine
the exact nature and probable purpose
OF the canals Of our planetary neighbor.
Meanwhile We have Q number Of excellent
negatives which have served TO bring
us q bit closer to Mars than ever In the
past.
Owing both to the smallness of tho
objective planet as shown on the negative
and also to the absence OF Information
on the part Of the general pubno az to the
peculiar planetary markings. the unin-
itiated eye can discern nothing from the
pictures until they are highly magniAed.
But, for those who are scientifically con-
oerned, 1t may be explained that aide BY
side with the plate in the exhibit 10 q photo
graph of drawing made by myself shortly
before the pictures Of Mars were taken.
This, Of course, ser yes the double purpose
of confirming the reliability OF the instru-
ment, together with what may be called
the objectivity Of visual observation. and
also of serving as chart to 1t.
III one were to compare the several
photographs Of the planet with reliable
map Of Mars, the following markings could
be readily recognized:
"Regions-Syrtis Major. Marc Eryth-
reum Mare Ioarium. Hellas and the North
Polar Cap.
'Canals-N ilosyrtis, Pyramus. Casius,
Protonilus, Pierus, Vedlum. Astaboras
and the Thoth.
.Oasls-Lucus Ismenius.
-For example, q dark triangle, In tho
photograph, with its apex pointing down
ward, is the Syrtis Major: dark area at
the top is the Mare Erythreum. while
leading of from the latter to the right 10
shown the narrow dark stretch Of tho Marc
Ioarium separating Aeria on the north from
Deucalionis Regio on the south.
"A bent line from the bottom Of the Syrtis
turning sharply to the right is the Nilosyrtis,
which, continuing westward across the
print, becomes tho Protonilus. Similarly
through the photograph are corresponding
combinations of the visual observation.
.Inasmuch as such fine details a. the
canals. owing to the air waves, play bo-peep
with either observer or camera, 1t y hardly
to be expected that the more delicate Of them
should appear in every print taken. Yet
they come nearer doing 30 than was an
ticirated.
"On other plates taken-other than the
ones indioated-other co mails can be made
out" adds Prof. Lowell, notably those
", nding Elysium, together with Hslicon,
Eregus and Hades.
"The negatives thorou ehly confirm the
eye In showing not only the existence Of the
canals, but reveal them as continuous lines
of tons and evon hundreds Of miles In length
OF course it is as yet impossible to say
positively whether the Marian canals ara
Of artificial or natural creation, or exactly
OF what composition IA the liquid or molten
substance In them. But so far a. We car
at present conceive they appear - CORE.
spending to our familiar waterways classi.
fed under the general heading Of canals.
All credit should be given the expert
solar photographers who have secured these
important photographs which, besides cor.
roborating the existence Of canals on Mars,
fully confirm the methods found most
efficient in detecting them usually con-
oiudss Prof. Lowell