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The punctuation and spelling from the original text have been faithfully
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Plate XVI is missing from the scanned image files. The reference within
the Maps and Plates list has been preserved.




TO MARS _via_ THE MOON

[Illustration: _Drawn by M. Wicks_

VIEW FROM THE AIR-SHIP, OVER THE CANALS AND THE CITY OF SIRAPION

"What a splendid view we then had over the country all around us!...
Across the country, in line after line, were the canals which we had
been so anxious to see, extending as far as the eye could reach!"]




  To Mars _via_ The Moon

  _AN ASTRONOMICAL STORY_

  BY
  MARK WICKS

  "_It is astronomy which will eventually be the chief educator and
  emancipator of the human race._"--SIR EDWIN ARNOLD.

  WITH ILLUSTRATIONS

  LONDON
  SEELEY AND CO. LIMITED
  38 GREAT RUSSELL STREET
  1911




  Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO.
  At the Ballantyne Press, Edinburgh




  TO

  PROFESSOR PERCIVAL LOWELL

  A.B., LL.D.

  _Director of the Observatory at Flagstaff, Arizona_

  TO WHOSE CAREFUL AND PAINSTAKING RESEARCHES,
  EXTENDING OVER MANY YEARS, THE WORLD OWES
  SO MUCH OF ITS KNOWLEDGE OF

  THE PLANET MARS,

  THIS LITTLE BOOK IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED BY
  ONE WHO HAS DERIVED INFINITE PLEASURE FROM
  THE PERUSAL OF HIS WORKS ON
  THE SUBJECT




PREFACE


In the course of my experience as an occasional lecturer during the past
twelve years, I have been much impressed by the keen interest evinced,
even by the most unlettered persons, when astronomical subjects are
dealt with in plain untechnical language which they can really grasp and
understand.

The pertinent questions which have been addressed to me privately by
members of my audiences have clearly indicated that there is ample scope
for writers in satisfying a widespread desire for fuller and clearer
information upon such subjects. I have observed that particular interest
is taken in the planet Mars and also in the moon, but ordinary persons
usually find astronomical text-books too technical and too difficult to
master; whilst, as regards Mars, the information they contain is
generally meagre and sometimes not up-to-date.

Scientific readers are already provided for: and it occurred to me that
it would be much more useful and appeal to a more numerous class if,
instead of writing a book on the usual lines, I wrote a narrative of
events which might be supposed to occur in the course of an actual
voyage to Mars; and describing what might be seen on the planet during a
short visit.

This is the genesis of the story; and, in carrying out my programme, I
have endeavoured to convey by means of natural incidents and
conversations between the characters portrayed, the most recent and
reliable scientific information respecting the moon and Mars; together
with other astronomical information: stating it in an interesting form,
and in concise, clear, and understandable language.

Every endeavour has been made to ensure that this scientific information
shall be thoroughly accurate, so that in this respect the book may be
referred to with as much confidence as any ordinary textbook.

Apart from my own studies and work, all these facts have been carefully
verified by reference, as regards the moon, to the works of such
well-known authorities as Neison, Elger, Proctor, Sir Robert Ball, &c.,
whilst, with respect to Mars, the works of Professor Lowell, Flammarion,
Professor Langley, and other writers, as well as practical papers by
other actual observers of the planet, have been studied.

The personal opinions expressed are entirely my own, and the technical
writers above mentioned are in no way responsible for them. I do not,
however, expect my readers to accept all my views, as they relate to
matters in which there is ample room for differences of opinion.

The reader will, of course, understand that whilst the astronomical
information is, in all cases, scientific fact according to our present
knowledge, the story itself--as well as the attempt to describe the
physical and social conditions on Mars--is purely imaginative. It is
not, however, merely random imagining. In a narrative such as this some
matters--as, for instance, the "air-ship," and the possibility of a
voyage through space--must be taken for granted; but the other ideas
are mainly logical deductions from known facts and scientific data, or
legitimate inferences.

Many years' careful study of the various theories which have been
evolved has convinced me that the weight of evidence is in favour of
Professor Lowell's conceptions, as being not only the most reasonable
but the most scientific; and that they fit the observed facts with a
completeness attaching to no other theory. These conceptions I have
endeavoured to present fully and clearly; together with my own views as
an entirely independent writer.

In dealing with the conditions on a distant and inaccessible world the
farthest flight of imagination might fall short of the reality, but I
have preferred to treat these matters somewhat restrainedly. Whilst no
one can say positively that the intelligent inhabitants of Mars do not
possess bodies resembling our own, it is very probable that they differ
from us entirely; and may possess forms which would appear to us strange
and weird. I have, however, thought it desirable to endow the Martians
with bodies resembling ours, but glorified in form and features. The
powers ascribed to the Martians are really only extensions of powers
which some amongst us claim to possess, and they fall short of what more
than one modern scientific writer has predicated as being within the
possibilities of science at a not very distant future.

During the past few years I have been greatly indebted to Professor
Lowell for his kindness and ready courtesy in furnishing me with
information on obscure matters connected with Mars; and my thanks are
also due to the Rev. Theodore E.R. Phillips, of Ashstead, who was good
enough to read the manuscript of this book, and whose great
observational experience enabled him to make valuable suggestions in
regard to the scientific matters dealt with therein.

Truly "a labour of love," this little book--which Professor Lowell has
most kindly permitted me to dedicate to him--is now submitted to the
public, in the sincere hope that its perusal may serve not only to while
away a leisure hour, but tend to nurture a love of the sublime science
of astronomy, and at the same time provide some food for thought.

A few maps, plates, and charts have been added to give completeness to
the work, and it is hoped that they will aid the reader in understanding
the several matters dealt with.

                                            M.W.
  1910.




CONTENTS


                                                          PAGE

    LIST OF PLATES AND MAPS                               xvii

    NOTES ON THE MAPS AND CHARTS                           xix

    THE SUN, MOON, AND PLANETS                           xxiii

  (_Narrative by Wilfrid Poynders, Esq._)

  CHAP.
  I. WE START ON A VERY LONG VOYAGE                         25

  II. PERSONAL REMINISCENCES--WHY WE DECIDED ON
        THE VOYAGE                                          35

  III. WE APPROACH THE MOON--A MAGNIFICENT SPECTACLE        44

  IV. CLOSE TO THE MOON--I GIVE SOME INFORMATION
        ABOUT IT                                            52

  V. WE VIEW THE LUNAR SCENERY IN THE NORTHERN
       HEMISPHERE                                           63

  VI. THE SCENERY OF THE MOON'S SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE         78

  VII. WE RESUME OUR VOYAGE--THE SUN AND THE
         SKY AS SEEN FROM SPACE                             92

  VIII. JOHN INSISTS ON GOING BACK AGAIN--A STRANGE,
          BUT AMUSING INCIDENT OCCURS                      101

  IX. A NARROW ESCAPE FROM DESTRUCTION--I GIVE
        SOME PARTICULARS ABOUT MARS AND MARTIAN
        DISCOVERY                                          113

  X. THE DISCOVERY OF LINES UPON MARS--THE
       GREAT MARTIAN CONTROVERSY                           128

  XI. THE GREAT MARTIAN CONTROVERSY (_continued_)          139

  XII. WE ARE MYSTERIOUSLY PREVENTED FROM APPROACHING
         MARS                                              155

  XIII. WE ARRIVE ON MARS AND MEET WITH A STARTLING
          SURPRISE                                         162

  XIV. I MAKE A MOST AMAZING DISCOVERY                     166

  XV. WHAT IS IN A NAME!--THE STORY OF MERNA               169

  XVI. WE LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT THE POWERS OF
         THE MARTIANS                                      184

  XVII. WE VISIT THE CANALS AND DISCOVER THEIR
          SECRET--MARTIAN VIEWS OF LIFE AND DEATH          194

  XVIII. WE ATTEND A MARTIAN BANQUET                       207

  XIX. THE CHIEF OF THE MARTIAN COUNCIL DISCUSSES
         THE SOCIAL CONDITIONS OF OUR
         WORLD AND MARS                                    212

  XX. THE SECRET OF THE "CARETS"--THE SUN AS
        SEEN FROM MARS                                     224

  XXI. OUR FIRST VIEW OF THE EARTH FROM MARS--A
         MARTIAN COURTSHIP                                 236

  XXII. CELESTIAL PHENOMENA SEEN FROM MARS--M'ALLISTER
          RECEIVES A PRACTICAL LESSON
          IN GRAVITATION                                   242

  XXIII. I HAVE A SERIOUS TALK WITH JOHN                   253

  XXIV. THE MARTIAN SEASONS                                256

  XXV. MANY THINGS SEEN UPON MARS--I RECEIVE
         SOME NEWS                                         264

  XXVI. WE WITNESS SOME WONDERFUL AERIAL EVOLUTIONS
          AND LISTEN TO MARVELLOUS MUSIC                   282

  XXVII. A FAREWELL BANQUET AND A PAINFUL PARTING          293

  XXVIII. LAST WORDS TO MY READERS                         298

  (_Addendum by John Yiewsley Claxton_)

  XXIX. WHAT HAPPENED UPON OUR RETURN HOME--RESULTS
          OF THE MOST RECENT OBSERVATIONS OF MARS--PROFESSOR
          LOWELL'S IMPORTANT DISCOVERY                     302




LIST OF PLATES AND MAPS


  PLATE                                                    PAGE

  I. "WHAT A SPLENDID VIEW WE THEN HAD!"         _frontispiece_

  II. IDEAL VIEW OF LUNAR SCENERY                            54

  III. CHART OF THE MOON, SHOWING THE PRINCIPAL         }
         FORMATIONS SEEN ON ITS SURFACE                 }    80
                                                        }
  IV. INDEX MAP TO CHART OF THE MOON                    }

  V. DIAGRAM SHOWING THE RELATIVE POSITIONS
       AND MOVEMENTS OF THE PLANETS DURING
       THE VOYAGE OF THE _AREONAL_                          100

  VI. DIAGRAM SHOWING THE RELATIVE POSITIONS
        OF THE EARTH AND MARS AT THE TIME OF
        VARIOUS OPPOSITIONS OF MARS                         110

  VII. CHART SHOWING THE RELATIVE POSITIONS OF
         THE EARTH AND MARS DURING THE YEARS
         1909-1910                                          118

  VIII. MARS. MAP 1                                         128

  IX. MARS. MAP 2                                           138

  X. MARS. MAP 3                                            154

  XI. MARS. MAP 4                                           206

  XII. MARS. MAP 5                                          224

  XIII. MARS. MAP 6                                         256

  XIV. MARS. MAP 7, SHOWING THE PLANET'S SOUTHERN
         SNOW-CAP AT ITS MAXIMUM                            266

  XV. MARS AS SEEN ON AUGUST 16, 1909                   }
                                                        }   314
  XVI. MARS AS SEEN ON OCTOBER 29, 1909                 }




NOTES ON THE MAPS AND CHARTS


The maps included in this work have been photographed from a globe of
Mars specially made for the purpose from various charts. In all the maps
the south is at the top and the north at the bottom; and the series
shows the general surface configuration all round the planet, together
with the principal canal lines which have been observed; but many other
canal lines exist, especially on the dark areas near the south pole.
These lines are usually straight and uniform in width throughout their
whole length: indeed it is difficult to mark them upon a globe so that
they shall appear as regular and uniform as they are actually seen on
the planet.

The names on the maps are those now generally accepted and used by
astronomers.

The "Greenwich" of Mars, _i.e._ the point on the Meridian from which
astronomers reckon the Martian longitudes, is indicated by the apex of
the small triangular light area just above the equator in Map I. It is
marked on the map as "Fastigium Aryn," and is chosen as longitude "0,"
because from its general outline it cannot be mistaken by observers.

"Sirapion," the supposed landing-place of the travellers mentioned in
the story, is shown on Map III., just above the central and lowest point
of the dark area at the top of the map. This name will not be found upon
any other map of Mars.

The chart showing the relative positions of the Earth and Mars during
the years 1909-10 is reduced and modified from one prepared accurately
to scale by the author for his own use in connection with the book. From
it the reader will gain a clear idea of the shape of the two orbits and
how they are placed with regard to each other.

It also shows the course supposed to be taken by the air-ship on its
outward and homeward journeys, and the point reached when one of the
travellers desired to turn back; together with the alternative routes
which were then discussed.

This chart, and the other one showing the positions of the two planets
at different oppositions of Mars, will enable the reader to understand
how it is that Mars approaches so much nearer to the earth at some
oppositions than it does at others. The positions of the oppositions
from 1916 to 1922 are only approximations, as no exact data are yet
available. The earth is closest to the orbit of Mars about the 27th of
August each year, and if Mars comes into opposition about that date it
is then only about thirty-five million miles away. If, however, the
opposition occurs near the 22nd February, the earth is then at its
greatest possible distance from the orbit of Mars, and that planet will
then be over sixty million miles away: appearing very much smaller than
when at its most favourable point of approach.

On the 18th of September, 1909, Mars was only slightly over thirty-six
million miles from the earth, and it will be fifteen years before such a
favourable situation again occurs.

The nearest point of approach does not necessarily occur on the actual
date of the opposition. In 1907 Mars was in perigee, as it is termed,
seven days after the opposition; while in 1909, perigee was before
opposition.

The diagram showing the positions and movements of the planets during
the period covered by the outward voyage of the _Areonal_ is
sufficiently explained by the notes printed thereon. It may, however, be
pointed out that though the orbits of the planets are all elliptical,
especially those of Mercury and Mars, they are so nearly true circles
that, when reduced to the scale of these diagrams, they practically
become circles. The exaggerated ellipses so often found in astronomical
books are very misleading. The orbits of Mercury and Mars have an
appearance of ellipticity because the sun does not occupy the central
point in the diagram.

The view of the moon is photographed from a large  drawing by
the author, which occupied many months in preparation and execution. It
shows all the principal formations seen through the telescope as the
moon passes through its various phases, but it must be understood that
the formations can never all be seen at one view as shown in this
picture. As the sun rises on any particular formation the details are
gradually revealed by the long shadows cast by the more elevated
portions when the sun is low down in the lunar sky. As the sun rises
higher and higher the shadows grow shorter and shorter, and when the sun
is vertically over the formation the shadows entirely disappear; all
details are thus rendered invisible.

When the moon is full the sun is practically vertical over the whole
lunar surface, so the only details then seen are those which are vaguely
brought out by differences in tint.

The bright ray-streaks are only suggested in the picture, because, if
shown complete, they would have the same effect as upon the moon, viz.
they would entirely obliterate all the formations over which they
passed.

The Key Map indicates the principal lunar formations, and includes the
names of those mentioned in the book.

The last two plates in the book are from drawings made at the telescope
(a 12-inch Calver reflector) by the Rev. T. E. R. Phillips. The
opposition of 1909 was not favourable for the observation of Martian
details from England; for although the planet was near to us, it was too
low down in the sky; and many of the nights were either cloudy or
misty.




THE SUN, MOON, AND PLANETS


       Diameter.       Period of Rotation.        Mean Distance
                                                  from the Earth.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUN    865,000 miles   25 to 26 days              92,800,000 miles

MOON     2,160 miles   27-1/3 days                238,000 miles
                       (It revolves round the
                       earth in the same time.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLANETS.  Diameter in  Number of   Period of   Period of   Mean Distance
           Miles.[1]  Satellites   Rotation.    Revolution from the Sun in
                       Known.[2]               Round the Sun. Millions
                                                              of Miles.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
