Mars' Canals and Canalis
1877 AD
1877 1877

NAT

FOURTH PLANET, SOLAR SYSTEM
	The rust-colored, cratered, wind-swept desert surface of Mars that the Mariner 4 spacecraft first photographed in 1964 is a far cry from the Mars that science thought it to be prior to receiving those pictures.
	In 1877 Mars and Earth passed very close to each other, making it an opportune time for astronomers to get a better look at Mars. One year later Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli reported seeing lines that might be a network of natural channels or rivers on Mars' surface.
	When Schiaparelli's report was translated into English, the Italian word "canali" was mistranslated "canal" (manmade watercourse) instead of the more correct "channel" (natural water path). This mistranslation touched off a wave of excitement as people theorized that the "canals" could have been built by Martians. Rather than correct the error, Schiaparelli and many other astronomers jumped on the bandwagon. American astronomer Percival Lowell carried the canal theory the furthest, even writing three books describing life on the planet.
	So strong was the belief in Martians that in 1898 author H.G. Wells wrote the novel, "War of the Worlds," which describes an invasion of Earth by Martians and their war machines.
	Even as late as 1938 many people believed very strongly in Martians. This became obvious from the reaction to a prank by radio personality Orson Welles (no relation). On Halloween of that year Welles broadcast a revised version of "War of the Worlds" as though it was a real news report. This "news" program was widely believed, and led people in many areas of the country to panic because of the Martian "invasion."
	In 1976 the Viking 1 landing vehicle performed experiments on the surface of Mars. Its primary mission was to determine if life exists or did exist on Mars. The result? While Mars has some of the ingredients needed for life, no organic substances whatever were found -- no evidence of life.
	But rather than be disappointed at Mars' lifelessness, why not appreciate and help conserve the only known vessel of life in the universe - our jewel in space - Earth.