
A seasoned astronomer brings the Red Planet into vivid focus, drawing on more than a decade of meticulous telescopic study. By comparing successive close approaches of Mars to Earth, he charts the shifting features that sparked the famous “canals” debate, offering fresh measurements and thoughtful critiques of competing explanations. The narrative balances rigorous data with the awe of discovering a world that both mirrors and defies our expectations.
Written for curious minds rather than specialists, the work translates complex observations into clear, engaging prose, inviting listeners to feel as though they are standing beside the author at his telescope. Richly illustrated maps trace the planet’s polar caps, dark regions, and the enigmatic linear markings, while the author’s candid reflections on the scientific process illuminate how ideas evolve. Listeners will come away with a deeper appreciation for the blend of careful observation and imaginative inquiry that drives planetary science.
Language
en
Duration
~8 hours (496K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Chris Curnow, Sonya Schermann, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2014-10-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1855–1916
Best known for turning Mars into one of astronomy’s great obsessions, this wealthy Boston-born writer and observer helped popularize the idea of Martian canals and founded the observatory that still bears his name.
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