New Britain herald., 1930-03-04

We do not even know much about the possibility of life on the other planets of our own solar sys- tenn. Of these only Venus and Mars seem at all eligible.
 Venus is of the same size as the earth. perhaps little warmer. Astronomers using the spectroscope have concluded that free oxygen does not exist on this planet, and it's skies arc perpetually clouded. This naturally leads to the conclusion that the surface of Venus is one vast ocean. If under such conditions life exists on the planet it must be q world of fishes"
 Mars is smaller than the earth, has both air and water, though a scant supply of both. Seasonal changes can be observed with tele- scopes. The changes noted on Mars indicate the presence of plants; and if these, why not animals? Perhaps men? Further than this astronomy. with all its powerful telescopes, has been unable to penetrate. If laymen want to imagine that perfected human beings live on Mars, Pro- lessor Eddington takes care to ob- serve, they must do so on their own responsibility.
 Failure 10 prove that human life definitely exists on any of our planets of course leaves the universe for the speculation; yet it is logical to assume that if we arc unsuccess- full in the quest for human life com- paratively near at hand we will be at rather a disadvantage in finding 1t further aleld. Suns travelling through space, many of them quite like our own solar mistress are ac- companied by planetary systems like our own. But Professor Eddington pessimistically inclines to the opin- ion that the chances of finding evil dcncc supporting a theory Of life on any planet revolving around dis tant suns is slim indeed. He is will ing to assume, however, that after all circumstances are thoroughly weighed there may be reason 10 hope that there are "a few rival earths dotted here and there about the universe" Which is as far as he will go, saying:
 T do not think that the whole purpose of the Creation has been staked on the one planet where We live: and in the long run we can not deem ourselves the only race that has been or will be gifted with the mystery of consciousness. But l feel inclined to claim that at the present time our race Is supreme; and not one of the profusion of stars in their myriad clusters looks down on scenes comparable to those which are passing beneath the rays Of the sun."
 This theory of the non-existence Of human life elsewhere is predicat- cd upon the assumption that human life could not evolve except under favorable conditions as they have existed upon the earth. No account is made for the cyolvement of high CT life upon planets without some. what similar conditions, for the simple reason perhaps that we are not acquainted with how this car happen. It is impossible for us tc believe that human life could come to planet being woefully deficient in oxygen,t for instance: or to g planet that is vastly colder than oul earth; or vastly more hot. If We hat definite knowledge that q high form of life could evolve amid almost an, type of climatic conditions then a least much would be added to tht field of speculation. Thus In spite o the big telescopes we add to tn, service of human knowledge we ar, unable to penetrate the fog bank of reasonable theory that seem tt go counter to what we have com, to know as natural law. With ou present knowledge the outlook i not for a speedy termination 0 these limitations. If it be true tha
 the higher life can evolve only whel predicated upon juytaposition 6 favorable conditions, such as hay
 existed upon the earth for 100000
 900 years or so. it appears logica
 to assume that the same favorabl | conditions would have to exist else
 where to attain the same end. | But then we are confronted wit | the situation that even If such favor able conditions are not discernibIe a ! the present time, they might hay
 existed on say Mars, billions o
 years ago, or might exist there i the future.
 Such speculation Of course, coul
 take up columns, It is the conditio
 in the universe today that the ne'
 big telescope will bring closer to u
 not q condition in the remote pas
 "Other inhabited worlds than ours does not mean other worlds at tn
 moment we may be glancin