Martian "canals" Mars
by 19th century, resolution of telescopes reached level sufficient surface features identified. perihelic opposition of mars occurred on september 5, 1877. in year, italian astronomer giovanni schiaparelli used 22 cm (8.7 in) telescope in milan produce first detailed map of mars. these maps notably contained features called canali, later shown optical illusion. these canali supposedly long, straight lines on surface of mars, gave names of famous rivers on earth. term, means channels or grooves , popularly mistranslated in english canals .
influenced observations, orientalist percival lowell founded observatory had 30 , 45 cm (12 , 18 in) telescopes. observatory used exploration of mars during last opportunity in 1894 , following less favorable oppositions. published several books on mars , life on planet, had great influence on public. canali independently found other astronomers, henri joseph perrotin , louis thollon in nice, using 1 of largest telescopes of time.
the seasonal changes (consisting of diminishing of polar caps , dark areas formed during martian summer) in combination canals led speculation life on mars, , long-held belief mars contained vast seas , vegetation. telescope never reached resolution required give proof speculations. bigger telescopes used, fewer long, straight canali observed. during observation in 1909 flammarion 84 cm (33 in) telescope, irregular patterns observed, no canali seen.
even in 1960s articles published on martian biology, putting aside explanations other life seasonal changes on mars. detailed scenarios metabolism , chemical cycles functional ecosystem have been published.
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