The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-07-15
-Dietz on Science
MARS CAN NOT
SUPPORT LIFE,
SAVANTS AGREE
Experiments Show Planet
Has No Oxygen, Is
Verdict.
BY DAVID DIETZ
ScrippS Howard Science Editor

CHICAGO, July 15-The at
mosphere Of the planet Mars does
not contain enough oxygen to sup
port life as we know it. This was
the verdict pronounced here today
by Or. Walter - Adams. director of
the Mt Wilson observatory, the
worlds largest astronomical observ-
atory.
For almost a century. ever since
Schiapareli, the Italian astrono-
mer, discovered the so-called canals
Of Mars. scientists have debated the
possibilities of life on Mars.
In recent months. when Mars has
shone so prominently in the night
sky, its ruddy disk contrasting with
the brilliant white Of nearby Ju-
piter the debate took on new in
terest But with Dr. Adams pro-
nouncement, most authorities will
agree that the debate is over.
SpectroscOpe Is Used
DR.. Adams one Of the worlds best
known scientists, is here to attend
the summer meeting of the Ameri-
can Association for the Advance
ment Of Science, now in session. In
an interview he told me how ne
and DR. Theodore Durham Jr., one
OF his associates at Mt Wilson, car
rled on the study Of Mars.
Three things made the project
possible. The first was the 100-inch
telescope at Mt Wilson, the worlds
largest telescope. The second was a
spectroscope recently built at Mt
Wilson for use with the telescope
This new instrument is the
worlds most powerful stellar spec
troscOpe. The third was a new
Photographic plate, sensitive to the
invisible rays Of infra-red light de-
veloped at the Eastman Kodak re-
search laboratories under the direc-
ton Of DR.. Kenneth Mees.
VapOr Also Is Lacking
The work at Mt Wilson has
shown definitely that the amount
of oxygen, if any. in the atmos-
phere of Mars is only a fraction of
per cent Of the amount in the
atmosphere Of the earth.
1T looks as though there we're
neither carbon dioXide nor water
vapor in the atmosphere of Mars,
both of which are needed for life
as we know it, We are Just in the
midst of our hunt for the lines of
water vapor now, but it doesn't look
as though We shall find any"
The simplest spectroscope is
prism. Hold prism up to the sun
light and it divides the light into
rainbow of colors. A spectroScope
furnishes a similar rainbow known
as the spectrum. The spectrum,
however, is crossed by many black
lines which indicate the chemical
elements in the sun.
Mars shines by reflected sunlight
and therefore its spectrum ought to
be like that of the sun.
Nights Are Cold
Calculations show, however, that
If oxygen, water vapor or carbon
oloXlde were IN the atmosphere Of
Mars, these gases would absorb GER
tain portions of the suns light,
leaving gaps in its spectrum.
These gaps. however, would occur
in the mira red end of the spectrum
and therefore could not be sought
for successfully until the new
Photographic plates sensitive to
infra-red rays were developed.
Studies of temperatures on Mars
conducted at the Mt. Wilson OBJ
versatory add additional evidence
to the view that there is no life on
Mars, DR.. Adams told me. These
studies were made by attaching a
delicate electrical thermometer
known as the thermocouple to the
100-inch telescope.