THE PLANET MARS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 24, 28 July 1939, Page 16

THE PLANET MARS

A NEW MARKING

Although conditions during the last few days have not been ideal for astronomical observation, yet patience and perseverance at the Carter Observatory have had their reward, and some very interesting results have been obtained from watching the planet Mars. The positions of no fewer than 13 of its socalled canals have been fairly well determined, and have been drawn into the maps which are being made to i show the planet's markings. But what is perhaps more interesting is the discovery of a nevir feature on the surface of the planet, a feature of which there is no trace in any map of Mars drawn by astronomers as thej result of previous observations.. This is an area some 1000 by 500 miles, very dark in colour. The dusky shading over an area in the'planet's southern hemisphere, previously noted, is still very prominent, but this is quite distinct from the new area which has been discovered..

The planet's north polar cap is becoming more prominent, either because it is becoming tilted more towards the earth, or because it is growing in size as the autumn season advances. On the other hand, the south polar cap is steadily, diminishing as 'spring in that area advances.

The invasion of the public to have a look at Mars through the telescope remains unabated, there being a big crowd every evening. It is, however, later in the night that the best views are obtained. The planet is then higher in the sky and less obscured by mist, and it is then that the astronomers are making the prolonged observations which are yielding such 'interesting results.