Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1907-08-22
CANALS OF MARS
A French Astronomer Makes Some
Interesting Observations Of the
Planets Polar Shows.
CONVINCED THERE IS LIFE
Mare at This Time 10 In . Favorable
Position and Expeditions Are
In Many Parts Of World
to Observe II.

Paris, Aug. 20.-M. Camille Flam-
marion, the famous astronomer, who
has been observing the planet Mars,
writes the following: AT the OBJ
servatory Of Juvisin, near Paris. | OBJ
tanned two drawings Of Mars In tele-
scoDic views. The south pole Is at
the top, the north pole at the bot
tom. The first drawing was made
on June IS, the second ON August
IA. In the first the upper polar
SHOWS are very extended, whereas
no trace Of snow is visible at the bot
tom.
I'm the second drawing, the south
pole SHOWS are considerably dimin'
ished and the north pole SHOWS are
clearly manifest. The differences are
not due to variation in the inclina'
ton of the axis Of the earth for this
variation between these dates IL less
than six degrees. They are due to
the fact that the southern hemi'
sphere Of Mars is at present in sum-
mer and the northern hemisphere in
winter.
ut results that the south pole
SHOWS have been melting for months
every day, while on the other hand,
the north pole SHOWS are growing
In extent. This melting Is marked at
tie upper pole. not only BY q dimin-
ution Of the polar cap. but also by
the change in the surrounding area.
which represents water resulting
from this melting snow.
THUS there before our eyes are In
these summer nights q living world
in which the seasons show varia-
lions indicating very intense climatol-
ogical activity.
1T ia diflcult to witness nantes
tations Of this activity without being
convinced Of the existence Of kind
Of q life there assuredly very differ
emit from terrestrial life, the nature Of
which 1t would be Of the greatest in
terest to ascertain"
The statement Of M. Flammarion
Is interesting, inasmuch as he ap-
pears certain that the snow cap OF
one pole is melting while that of the
other il increasing. This is in line
with the group Of scientists who hold
to the canal and population" theory
of Mars. Other scientists have as
serted that 1t Is doubtful even that
the polar white is snow, saying 1t
may be due to gases. The snow
theory is generally accepted now.
however.
Prof. Lowell of the Flagstaff OBJ
servatory, says that the reason some
OIL the astronomers have been slow
to accept the canal theory is that
they have been unable to see clearly
on account Of the atmosphere in the
regions where their observatories
are. Only a few months ago, Prof.
Lowell telegraphed the Harvard OBJ
servatory that both he and an ex-
pert photographer, employed for
that purpose, had Photographed the
canals Of Mars, The theory of the
Lowell group Of astronomers is that
Mars, worn by It's great age to plain
levels and devoid Of cloud precipi-
tation. has been girdled with canals
extending from the polar regions
.Aese great canals show as green
streals. possibly so miles wide. 1t is
pointed out that the green space is
vegetation on either side Of the ditch.
The vegetation comes and goes with
the seasons Of Mars.
At this time Mars Is In the best con
dstion for observation It has been in
for many years. Expeditions are in
many parts Of the world especially "a
observe the planet, particularly the
Andes mountains and Northern Afri
ca and Arizona, where the atmos
nhara a Lass danaa