The Washington herald., 1909-06-10

Prof. David Todd. astronomer and edu-
Gator, Of Amherst. Mass. and president of
the Amherst Aero Club. who plans TO
make a balloon ascension this summer
which he hopes viii take him within the
electrical zone Of Mars. discussed his pro-
posed voyage at the Cosmos Club last
night.
Prof Todd, as a member OF the Aero
Club Of America, Is in Washington to
take part In the ceremonies incident 70
the presentation OF the medals or Wilbur
and Orville Wright by President Taft
this afternoon.
The scientist explained he had no IN
tention OF ballooning 10 Mars, as some
newspapers have asserted, but merely
wishes TO make experiments with a view
to learning TO what height men may as
cend and live. With this object in view.
he viii make an ascension late this sum
mer IN a specially constructed basket, in
which he hopes to attain an altitude Of
six miles.
Had Experimental Widely.
Prof. Todd. who has in the past con-
Quoted many expeditions investigating in
the interest Of science. explained his con-
tempiated trip by saying:
III was not with a view to getting into
communication with Mars or any other
planet that planned this balloon trip.
Ny prime object in going is to learn 10
what height man may so. In short, I am
making an experiment to learn to what
degree mountain sickness may be over
come.
When a high altitude is reached, men
become i'll II IS an illness akin 10 sea-
sickness. and, according 10 my theories.
is caused by the difference in the atmOs-
phere. You see. we exist on earth here,
in the lower levels, under a pressure Of
about fifteen pounds. When an alti-
tude Of about l0.OO0 feet IS reached the
pressure is about ten pounds. This is. ac-
cording TO my theory Many scientists do
not agree with me.
Working on the belief that my theory
Is correct. 7 intend 10 have my car or
basket constructed in the form OF an air
light capsule, probably constructed Of
aluminium, with luminous places in the
sides for portfolios. I viii take up with
me supply Of air. common, ordinary air.
I will have two tanks, and will carry an
air compressor. and when we get five OF
six miles in the air, we viii start the
pump to work. and compress sufficient air
70 maintain the pressure to which We are
accustomed here below.
Leo Stevens. the ballOonist. will ac-
company me as pilot. We viii have al
the instruments carried by regular
ballocnists and a wireless receiver besides.
You see, after I conceived the idea OF
testing the atmospheric conditions. Il
came 10 me, or was suggested 10 me, that
I might possibly attain the zone in
which electrical waves radiate from Mars,
granting that there are such waves. Again
going on the theory that Mars is inhabi-
tated and that its inhabitants are many
hundred years IN advance Of US, as is
proven by scientists. it would be reason
able 10 suppose that those inhabitants
have mastered wireless communication. If
they have hope TO be able pick up some
OF their currents or waves, that is, If I
am able 10 progress sufficiently far from
the earth 10 get out OF touch with wire
less currents from the earth.
Wireless Receiver in Balloon
I am taking along only a wireless re-
ceiving mechanism. If there are wire
less waves floating around Up there we
Will gather them IN. II not, well and
Il
Explaining the benefits TO be derived
from his experiment, Prof Todd said he
hoped 10 prove that his theory with re-
gard to life in the higher attitudes is
correct. II he does prove It, he declares.
he win then make attempts to have an
observatory established on the TOD OF
some mountain Of great height. where II
has hitherto been impossible for men TO
live. He explains that if men may live
in a balloon at great height by carrying
with them compressed air OF the same
density as that op or near the earth. II
will demonstrate The possibility of men
living in observatories at the SUBMITS
Of great mountains
Prof. Todd suggests the peak Of Chin
borazo. in Ecuador. as a suitable site
for an observatory should his theory
prove correct. ChimborazO is 1900 feet
in height The highest observatory at
the present time IS In Peru, and is 5000
feet above sea level The scientist be-
ieves that much could be accomplished
for science from an observatory Of this
height.
A trial ascension VIII be made by Prof
Todd next Tuesday. He viii be accom-
panied by Mr.. Stevens az pilot and seven
students OF Amherst College. The special
basket viii not be used. Other trial as
tensions will be made at different times
during the summer, the final trip being
made probably in September.
On his final trip. Prof Todd win use a
specially constructed balloon made by
Leo Stevens 1t viii have a capacity Of
1900 cubic feet. On this trip he VIII be
accompanied only by Mr.. Stevens. The
flight Is not expected to last more than
twenty-four hours