ADDENDA
Shortly after writing this article there appeared in the Saturday Review, on May 28, 1955, an article written by Dr. Robert S. Richardson, astronomer at Mount Palomar, which refers to the findings of the International Committee on Mars, which closed its fourth conference on March 25, 1955.
There are several interesting statements made, on which I will comment. Mr. Richardson states the consensus of opinion is that there is life on Mars, or that it could exist. This is at least some progress in the right direction. Also he is quite correct about the deserts. Most of the surface of the planet is semi-arid waste lands. It is however, incorrect to say there is no oxygen there.
The presence of the green maria, which he called sponge-like algae, proves the presence of oxygen, although in a comparatively rare state. As everyone knows, oxygen is necessary in the breathing cycle of any plant which contains chlorophyll (oxygen on Mars is about 10% of the density of the earth’s oxygen) as was stated in the aforementioned article. This sponge-like algae is found growing along the edges of the snow banks and often attains a height of forty to fifty feet. It dries up with the vanishing of the snow caps and regrows the following spring.
What the doctor states regarding water on Mars is very true. It is very scarce and the people of the underground cities take great pains to conserve every gallon of it.
As to the temperatures, that is still a matter of conjecture. It is a very tricky business to measure heat over thirty-five millions of miles distance. Moreover, surface temperatures do not affect the inhabitants of the underground cities, as they are completely pressurized and conditioned with temperatures maintained at a comfortable level.
The most surprising part of the entire article was that there was absolutely no mention of the famous canals of Mars. I wonder what happened to them? These canals were for many years a great controversial subject. The photograph in this article does not show them, but this is perhaps explained by the fact that this photo was taken with infrared light film. It may be that the savants at Mt. Palomar would like to explain this.
It is of questionable value that the writer interjected such a material angle as real estate. It seems it would have been wise to confine the remarks within the domain of science and leave this problem up to some of our great promoters in that future day of landing. It might also be that the Martians would resent our tearing up their planet.
It is also probable that in that future day when man does have space travel to mars, he will be able to take his wife or loved ones along. Landing there will be somewhat like taking a plane to a far off city on this planet. On arriving on Mars the space ship will be taxied into a huge airlock. The passengers will disembark and find hotels and accommodations in a similar fashion as on earth. (Assuming of course that such factors as freedom from germ life, health, adaptability to lower air pressures, etc., have been fully compensated for.)
It is unfortunate indeed that the astronomers of today take such a dim view of the possibility of life on other planets. They should be in a position to know better than anyone else. Does it not seem a bit preposterous to assume that in all the countless billions of suns, star clusters, galaxies, etc. and their associated planetary systems, that Earth and Mars alone are inhabited?
In that distant day when space travel is a reality, let us hope that our men of science are universally schooled in the knowledge of the infinite God and that we will find in this wisdom an integrated philosophy of life, one which will supply our need and an answer to every problem.
In that future day, we will have put aside all our petty quibbling over interpretations. We will find God not only in the heart and mind of man but in everything in this material Universe.
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