The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1909-08-31
THE MYSTERY OF
the PLANETS IN
PHOTOGRAPHY
Mars Shows It's Age and Dying
Condition by Scarcity Of
Moisture. =

INTERESTING EXHIBITS. Of
PHOTOGRAPHS At W|NNIPEG
Flagstaff, Arizona, Observatory Has
Been Most Successful Because of
the Steadiness Of the Atmosphere
Martans Are. Highly Developed.
Winnipeg, Man., Aug. 31.-The work
OF Prof. Percival Lowell, E. G. Slipher
and G. o. Lampland at the Lowell OBJ
servatory, Flagstaff. Arizona, during
the past few years in connection with
planetary photography has been caus-
Ing much comment in the scientific
world at large. 1t has done much to
confirm theories which have been ad-
vanced by eminent astronomers con-
cerning the planetary composition OF
Mars. Saturn and Jupiter, and geo.
graphical formation Of these import
ant bodies. Drawings have been made
from visual observations. of the plan
cts mentioned, but the world has been
slow OF belief, in connection with any
theory which has been advanced as
the result of these observations. Dur
ing the past few years, however, ac-
tual photographs have been obtained
at infinite trouble and these must dis
pei all doubts as to the formation Of
the three planets. These photo
graphs have been kindly lent by Prof.
Lowell to the British associations
Winnipeg meeting and are now to be
seen in the reception room in the
drill hall.
4. The Canals and Gases Of Mars.
To the casual observer Of the ex-
htbit nothing is visible but q number
Of small discs lit up with electricity,
but to those interested in astronomy,
and In the theory of other Inhabited
worlds, or worlds in the process Of
evolution from the nebuler state, the
small red discs have q greater signifi-
cance. By looking closely, at the
exhibit Of the Martian, observations,
It will be observed that each disc III
tntersected with tracery of. small
lines, which run across the face, Wild
ening out In parts to form dots and
blotches. And It Is from these small
lines and dots and from the observa-
ton of light spots at the top and bot
tom OF each disc in addition, that the
planet is another inhabited world has
been formed. The white spots at the
top and bottom are held to represent
glistening snow on the poles of the
planet and the intersecting tracery of
lines the vegetation growing along the
immense system of canals fed from the
snow regions at the poles. Again the
dark blotches here and there are be-
lieved to represent oases of vegetation
as large in some cases as Europe,
while the uncolored region between
the canals, which makes up five
eights of the entire area of the planet,
probably represent an arid desert.
These are phenomena which have been
seen at the Lowell observatory for
years, and these are the things which
the people now gathered in Winnipeg
may see for themselves. The entire
set of the three planets has never.
been on exhibit before.
Suggests the Fate of the Earth.
The photographs of Mars are of ex-
ceptional interest, inasmuch as they
give some idea whittier our own earth
is tending. Mars In an older and
smaller planet than the earth, 80 that
the process of evolution from the ne
bular state to ite present condition
and finally to the condition which
will exist when all the moisture has
been evaporated, and life has become
extinct, 1t more rapid than in the case
Of the earth. Probably no rivers or
oceans exist on Mars, the theory be-
ing that vegetation and life are sup
ported by the system of canals led
from the polar caps. Vast regions of
the planet are held to be arid and az
the process of evaporation continues,
dually extend, until finally all life will
disappear. This process at any rate
10 in operation on a gradual scale on
the earth. Rivers and oceans are
drying up, and desert regions are be-
coming more extensive.
From the knowledge of the nature
Of the inhabitants of Mars to be gain
cd from the lowell photographs there
u every reason to believe that they
are an industrious people, judging
from the continual effort which must
be maintained for the maintenance Of
lie. Inelr pnystcal5 ch0ractertettcD
must of necessity. be different from.
those of the earth dwellers, on ac-
count of the lesser size of their planet
and the consequent smaller force Of
gravitation and atmospheric pressure.
In view of the age of the planet 1t 10
possible that a higher state Of intel
lect. and civilization exists among
them than among the Inhabitants Of
the earth.
S When the Earth was Young.
Just as the photographs Of the Mar
tian planet suggest whittier the earth:
10 tending. 80 do the photographs Of
the planet Jupiter suggest from what
condition the earth has evolved.
Planets resemble each other al tho
children Of one family resemble one.
another. One child may be older than
a6nther, and therefore show different
characteristics. And though when
they al grow up they will posssss:
characteristics In common. they will
never 10 exactly alike. Planets though
possessing characteristics In common
may dtner % to size and features.