Documentation Mars Planetology(Edit)
PREMIERES OBSERVATIONS DE MARS / EARLY OBSERVATIONS OF MARS(Edit)
- FLAMMARION Camille, La Planète Mars et ses Conditions d'Habitabilité, Synthèse Générale de toutes les Observations, Encyclopédie Générale des Observations Martiennes, 1892
L'ouvrage que nous entreprenons ici se partage donc naturellement de lui-même en deux Parties. La première donnera l'exposé et la discussion de toutes les observations faites sur Mars, depuis les plus anciennes, qui datent de la première moitié du XVIIème siècle, jusqu'aux dernières. La seconde Partie résumera les résultats conclus de cette étude générale de la planète. [...] Nous autres habitants de la Terre, accoutumés à juger des effets par les causes que nous avons sous les yeux et ne pouvant, d'ailleurs, imaginer l'inconnu, nous avons une difficulté extrême à expliquer les phénomènes étrangers à notre planète, et leur constatation seule nous plonge souvent dans le plus désespérant embarras. Nous observons, par exemple, sur Mars, des variations certaines et non médiocres dans l'étendue comme dans le ton de ses taches sombres, considérées comme mers. Il n'y a rien d'analogue sur la Terre, au moins comme proportions. Nous observons aussi sur cette planète toute une série de réseaux géométriques dont les lignes réticulées et croisées sous tous les angles ont reçu, non sans quelque analogie, le nom de canaux. Nous n'avons aucune comparaison non plus sur la Terre pour nous guider dans l'explication de ces aspects. Il s'agit ici véritablement d'un nouveau monde, incomparablement plus différent du nôtre que l'Amérique de Christophe Colomb n'était différente de l'Europe. Saurons-nous interpréter exactement les découvertes télescopiques ? Tous nos efforts doivent tendre à cette interprétation, sans aucune idée préconçue et avec la plus complète indépendance d'esprit.
« Nous osons espérer que le jour viendra où des moyens inconnus de notre science actuelle nous apporteront des témoignages directs de l'existence des habitants des autres mondes, et même, sans doute, nous mettront en communication avec ces frères de l'espace. »
- LOWELL Percival, Mars, 1896
This book is the result of a special study of the planet made during the last opposition, at an observatory put up for the purpose of getting as good air as practivable, at Flagstaff, Arizona. [...] Next to atmosphere comes systematic study. Of the extent to which this was realized at Flagstaff, I need only say that the planet was observed there from May 24, 1894, to April 3, 1895, during which time, to mention nothing else, 917 drawings and sketches were made of it. (Nov. 1895)
- LOWELL Percival, Mars and its Canals, 1906
Eleven years have elapsed since the writer's first work on Mars was published in which were recorded the facts gleaned in his research up to that time and in which was set forth his theory of explanation. Continued work in the interval has confirmed the conclusions were stated ; sometimes in quite unexpected ways. Five times during that period Mars has approached the earth within suitable scanning distance and been subjected to careful and prolonged scrutiny. Familiarity with the subject, improved telescopic means, and long-continued training have all combined increased efficiency in the procuring of data and to results which have been proportionate. A mass of new material has thus been collected, — some of it along old lines, some of it in lines that are themselves new, — and both had led to the same outcome. In addition to thus pushing inquiry into advanced portions of the subject, stufy has been spent in investigation of the reality of the phenomena upon which so much is based, and in testing every theory which has been suggested to account to them. From diplopia to optical interference, each of these has been examined and found incompatible with the observations. The phenomena are all have been stated to be, and more. Each step forward in observation has confirmed the genuineness of those that went before. (June 1906)
- LOWELL Percival, Mars as the Abode of Life, 1907
Eight lectures delivered at the Lowell institute, published in six papers in the Century magazine. — I. The genesis of a world.— II. The evolution of life.— III. The sun dominant.— IV. Mars and the future of the Earth.— V. The canals and oases of Mars.— VI. Proofs of life on Mars.— Notes
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pdf download (New Photographs of Mars, In The Century Magazine, December 1907, pp. 303-311)
- LOWELL Percival, Is Mars Inhabited ?, 1907
Perhaps no better response could be made to the request of The Outlook for an article on the habitation of Mars than by answering some of the questions that spontaneously arise on the subject in a reader's mind. For such a one is anxious to learn the evidence upon which the conclusion is based, that he may judge for himself of its cogency. To do this understandingly he must be satisfied on two points : of its value forst and of its pertinency afterwards. With regard to the first he is specially liable to be confused.
pdf download (In The Outlook, April 13, 1907, pp. 844-847)