The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-07-24

Press reports to the effect that Prof
Percival Lowell, director Of the Lowell
Observatory, has succeeded in photo
graphing GihOn, Marian double canal.
and that the same feat has been ac-
complished by Lamplsnd. in charge of
the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff
ATiz.. were received with interest by
Washington scientists and astronomers
yesterday. although many of them here
take little stock in the theory that the
distinct markings on Mars are really irri-
cation canals, as Prof. Lowell believes.
AT the Naval Observatory here II was
stated by Prof ". s. Eichelberger that
little attention is shown the constitution
Of the planets that come within range,
but that practically all energies are de-
voted 20 the astronomy Of precision. which
consists in locating and fixing the posi-
ton Of stars so that predictions may be
made as 70 where they will be at certain
times. This is for fixing points for OBJ
servations taken to calculate time, and
10 determine whether or not there are
canals on Mars. or whether the lines seen
are produced by some other cause.
How the Martians Get Water.
That there are distinct lines on the
planet is well known to all observers Of
the heavenly bodies. and is 50 set forth
in all works on astronomy, but there is
much dissension among astronomers as
10 whether they are canals dug for irri-
CATION purposes by Martiars. or whether
they are simply markings that so far have
not been sufficiently well observed to de-
termine their character.
The markings were first discovered BY
Schiapareli in 1877 and 1879. and the first
double canal was reported by him in
ISL From that time on, for several years. /
his theories were hOoted by many, for the
reason that no other observers could
make them out, but later his markings
were seen on the planet by observers both
in Europe and America.
Il has been admitted. however, by care
ful observers that the power Of the tele-
scope, has not as much TO do with the dis
Unguishing Of the canals" as the
strength and steadiness Of the eye Of the
observer.
Prof. Lowelrs theory Is that the mark
ings are really canals. and that they were
dug by Martians for the purpose Of OBJ |
tanning water. He believes there is no
other way by which the inhabitants Of !
the planet can get water. and that every |
one Of the trenches leads 10 the north /
pole, where are situated the ice caps
This ice and snow, melting when the sum |
mer season comes on. he believes. fur |
nishes the water used by the Martians, |
the necessity for which explains the dig |
ging OF the trenches
Theory of Double Canals.
At periods corresponding TO our sum /
mer-the seasons on the planet are longer
than ours, their year being equal 10 two 4
OF ours-are discovered what are termed /
by astronomers double canals" which /
Prof. Lowell has stated have been photo |
graphed These have been explained as /
being produced by vegetation springing |
up along the lines Of the canals when the /
water starts 10 flow in the spring.
The Gases are believed 70 be dense
jungles Of vegetation at points where the
canals intersect. and il was to deter
mine some Of these points that Prof.
Lowell financed the expedition to the
Andes recently. The observers at that
point have the planet directly overhead.
whereas observers from this latitude must
needs see the star only in the south. at a |
low angle, and through hundreds Of miles
Of atmosphere. In the Andes the tele-
scope watchers pierce the atmospheric en-
velope surrounding the earth in a /
straight line. and It is. OF course. prob
able they can make out the lines more
distinctly than observers here.
Because different people see the same
thing differently, many people hesitate 10
accept Prof Lowelrs theory in toto. al
though all who have ever seen the planet
admit the markings
Prof. SewcOmb DisagreeE.
Prof Simon Newcomb. of Washington.
is one who questioned the accuracy of
the maps published by Prof Lowell. and
in an article published in the July num-
Der OF the AstrophysicaI Magazine. he
points out that if the canals were as
as they have been catalogued
by Prof. Lowell, there would be practi-
cally an impossible feat accomplished in
distinguishing one from another. FOR the
reason that as seen by the most powerful
telescopes they are practically at the limit
Of visibility. Prof. Newcomb points out
that Lowell has catalogued and named
'S separate canals. and, computing from
B scientific basis. giving the canals an
average length of 1900 miles, whereas
Lowell gives them from 1000 to 2,500 miles
they would constitute more than One-half
ot the area of the entire planet In this
computation, also he has allowed for the
possibility Of difference in the width of
The markings as seen through average
telescopes.
Prof. Newcomb also sets forth in his
article the results of a series of expert
nents in testing vision as it would be ap-
Piled TO an observation Of the planet
He prepared a drawing with the gen
7ral, indistinct markings as usually seen
'n Mars, and put them at the limit of
visibility for a number Of scientists to
raw. Every one Of them saw different
outlines, as set forth in the plate OF draw
ngs accompanying the article. and from !
his Prof Newcomb draws the conclu-
ion that what is seen on Mars depends
entirely upon who is looking at the star.
-NSTALLS SUBMARINE SIGNALS.
'avy Department Provides APP