Evening star., 1924-05-31
TRY MARS BY RADIO,
NOW AIM OF SCIENCE
Series of Experiments at Chicago
University Arouses New
Interest.
BALLOON TO TEST HIGH AIR
Question Of Electrical Resistance
Determining Factor.
By Consolidated Press.

By Consolidated Press.
CHICAGO, May 31.-The possibility
of communicating with Mars-an
idea which has engaged the fancy Of
scientists since astronomy first de-
veloped support for the theory that
that planet is inhabited-is being de-
bated with renewed vigor as the re-
suit of a series of experiments about
to be undertaken at the University Of
Chicago.
Radio is the means by which this
dream may become a reality-pro-
vided, of course, that the coming ex-
periments prove successful, and also
provided Mars is inhabited by a race
which knows something about the
mysteries of radio. but recently dis
covered on this globe.
The trouble about radio communi
cation with Mars to date has been
that the air about the earth's surface
is an extremely poor conductor of
electricity and would head off any
message that tried to get through it's
blanket into space. But it has been
believed for some time that the fur
ther penetration goes into the great
empty spaces beyond the earth's air
blanket the less becomes the resist
ance to transmission Of electricity.
Balloon to BE Used.
IT is to prove or disprove this the
ory-and thus establish or upset the
possibility of radio communication
with Mars-that the University Of
Chicago scientists are bending their
plans. An extremely ingenious and
delicately balanced recording mech
aniSm, which is to be carried aloft
TO new height by hydrogen balloon.
vi dot fpr nf1
etivity of thinning atmosphere as 1t
shoots up twenty miles or more.
In making this first attempt at SCI
entific determination of the resist
the scientists hope to send their bal
loon to a height three times that
reached by man in his greatest ex-
ploits with balloon or airplane. Even
at-that relatively nearby distance the
atmosphere is SO thin that man can
not exist in it. 1t is figured that If
electrical resistance is found to di-
minish markedly in that distance 1T
viii diminish much more in the vast
ether beyond.
Plan Test in Alps.
Meantime scientists are planning a
light test, to be conducted in the
Swiss Alps next August, in an effort
TO attract the attention OF our 35.000.-
000- -mileS-away neighbors, If there
are any. on Mars. Using the snow as
reflector, the scientists plan to
direct powerful light rays through
lenses at Mars, while great telescopes
will watch to see what, If anything,
the surprised Martians will do by
way of response.
Failure to get action in this way
would leave radio as the last known
RECOURSE for interplanetary commu-
IMITATION. OF course, there is~no as
surance that a possible race of Mar
tians would have developed wireless.
But scientists think there is a good
chance they may have. since Mars is
imuch older planet than the earth,
and it's Inhabitants, if any, would
have had the benefit Of few million
years in which to conduct scientific
research and experimentation.
In this connection 1t is recalled that
Marconi few years ago reported
that he had picked up radio waves
from a station using a 150.000-meter
wave length. This is by far greater
than any wave length known on
earth and some scientists are inclined
to the belief the waves were sent
out from Mars.