THE PLANET MARS

Feilding Star, Volume 2, Issue 317, 22 August 1924, Page 5

THE PLANET MARS

ASTRONOMERS EXCITED. About a message from mars FETED TNG RADIO FANS MAY LISTEN IN. (By Electric Cable.—Copyright). Aust and N.Z. r’-'hle Association. Buenos Aires, Aug. 20. United States scientists will listenin for possible signals from theoretical inhabitants elf Mars The . Foreign Office publishes a communication from Washington, saying Astronomer Todd requests countries with high-powered wireless to order stations to remain silent temporarily in order that. Martian signals may he detected, (Sun Cable). (Received Aug. 22, 10 a.m.) New York, Aug. 21The Lowell Observatory announce® a tremendous growth of two dark areas near the equator of the planet. Mai’s which a month ago were comparatively faint. These regions were nr. the rear of the planet until recently, and therefore not able to be entirely observed, but have now swuncr into a view, presenting graphic evidence of the expansion which has taken place since the spring season began in the Martian Southern Hemisphere. They are a faint blue-green, and might ho an expanse of vegetation. .Scientifically, these regions of Mara are known as Mare Cimmerium and A Lire Sironum, named before it wn® concluded that Mars probably has. neither seas nor oceans. The region® are nearly 400 miles wide and stretch across the entire disk of the plane*., They probably comprise a million square miles since first noted earlier this year. The planets tilting op its axis has brought these regions almost directly under the sun’s rays on this earth. This action cause® seasonal changes, bringing a growth of vegetation and melting the Polar snow caps. Assuming that this i“ what is occurring on Mars, then the Southern Polar snows may he slowly disappearing there. In accordance with a suggestion made by the famous astronomer, Professor Todd, of Amherfc, all American radios will listen for messages from. Alars between now and the Week end, also hundreds of thousands of radio sets throughout America and England will he silent during five minute periods, starting on Thursday at midnight until Saturday at noon.

Professor Todd has declared; “Without doubt. Alars was inhabited in the past by rational beings. So why not try to stretch hands across the etherP If the Martians ew»made an attempt to communicate with us, now is the logical time tc expect it. Afy scheme cannot do any harm, and something really might conic of it.” When the air is steady Professes Slipfier, a photographic, expert and astronomer, will capture the planet’® appearance on very sensitive photographic plates.