The music of the spheres : $b A nature lover's astronomyGrondal, Florence Armstrong
Science
The music of the spheres : $b A nature lover's astronomy
Grondal, Florence Armstrong
Astronomy
The entire surface of Mars is about equal to the land surface of our
earth. The density of the planet is only 73% that of the earth and the
force of gravity on its surface is 35% as great as on the surface of our
world. The lesser force of gravity, also the lower temperature and rare
atmosphere, would all have their influence on any life found on Mars
with the result that beings found there might be constituted physically
in a very different way from ourselves. The temperature of Mars was
computed lately at the Mount Wilson and the Lowell observatories and the
results obtained at the two observatories were in excellent agreement.
Although it was found to be 94 degrees below zero at one pole and 96
degrees below zero at the other pole, the average temperature on other
parts of the planet during the brightest parts of the day averages
between 40 to 60 degrees F. This would be a livable temperature for life
as we know it, although another fact is commented upon which might cause
curious complications. Since the blanket of air surrounding the planet
is not of sufficient thickness to hold the heat on the planet, most of
it may escape during the night-time, thus causing the temperature to
drop to over 112 degrees below zero. If intelligent life wished to
survive from day to day it would have to hibernate, perhaps in heated
underground galleries, during the night half of its existence. The
question as to whether or not there could be life on this planet has
been hotly disputed by astronomers for years. It is certainly one of the
most interesting aspects of astronomy to the public at large. It is
often argued that since Mars is smaller than the earth it must have
cooled down millions of years before the earth reached a similar stage,
and that its organic life must therefore be proportionally farther
advanced. Others have contended that it is past the age where it would
be able to support life of any kind.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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