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“LIVELINESS” IN MARS.

WHAT AN AiSITBONDMER SAW. THERE MAY BE MARTIANS. That there is life on Mars —vegetable life almost certainly and animal life possibly—is the conclusion of the British astronomer, Mr P. M. Ryves, who has for a year been observing that mysterious planet with a powerful telescope placed at Teneriffe, above the dust and clouds, at a level of 8000 ft. The following is a summary of his observations on the subject pf the habitability of Mars : — Around each of the poles of Mars the telescope revealed a brilliant, round, white patch, which increased in the Martian winter and diminished as, the Martian summer advanced. That these white caps are the Polar snows on Mars seems almost too obvious to be questioned, and is accepted now by most astronomers. If these polar caps are snow, then Mars possesses not only water, but also air. And as the Martian caps extend to nearly the same latitude as the earth’s polar caps, they suggest that the climate is similar to that of the earth. It is quite certain from the observe ations at Teneriffe that changes take place in parts of the Martian surfaceSpots and "canals” wax and wane with the Martian seasons, indicating in that world, 40 millions miles away, some kind of "liveliness.” In particular there are changes of colour, and the only adequate explanation of them is that they are due to vegetation. Thus the„ conclusion is irresistible that Mars has air, water, warmth, and a considerable vegetation. These are the conditions required for the support of intelligent life. SIGNALS TO MARS.

Mr Ryves has come to the conclusion that it may be possible to signal to Mars from the earth. If beings of intelligence really exist on Mars—which is very doubtful —they shoull understand and be able to reply. The distance from the earth to Mars when these two planets approach one another most closely is about 36,000,000 miles Wireless signalling seems quite beyond our power, though the most powerful transmit? ting station is just, capable of reaching the moon. But Mars is 150 times more distent, and wireless strength is believed to diminish rapidly in free space. The most favourable means of signalling is by light. A series of very brilliant flashes, each of a few seconds duration, could be produced by chemical methods with no ruinous outlay, and should be visible.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HPGAZ19231128.2.6

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4631, 28 November 1923, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
397

“LIVELINESS” IN MARS. Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4631, 28 November 1923, Page 2

“LIVELINESS” IN MARS. Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4631, 28 November 1923, Page 2

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