Mars Then and Now
Explanation:
Does Mars have canals?
A hot
debate topic of the late 1800s,
several prominent astronomers including
Percival Lowell not only
claimed to see an extensive system of
long straight canals on Mars,
but used them to
indicate that intelligent life exists there.
The relatively close
opposition of 1894 was used to make drawings
like the one digitally re-scaled on the above left.
The above map was originally prepared by
Eugene Antoniadi and redrawn
by Lowell Hess for the book Exploring Mars, by
Roy A. Gallant.
In more
modern times, the
latest Mars opposition has allowed the
Hubble Space Telescope
to capture a
picture of similar orientation.
Comparison of the two images shows that large features
were impressively recorded, but that an
extensive system of long and straight canals just does not exist.
Satellites orbiting Mars
have now shown conclusively that the
red planet does indeed have surface features
similar to canals, but that these are usually smaller,
curved, and less
extensive than that previously claimed.
Real canyon systems like
Noctis Labyrinthus are most likely
cracks caused by surface stress.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
