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Ad Astra, v. 1, issue 2, July 1939

Page 17

and hydrogen? Since this is only a subject of conjecture, we cannot prove anything as yet.

   Suppose we consider the possibility of life for each of the planets, starting with the innermost one, Mercury. Here is a barren, sterile world, perpetually holding one face to the Sun, the other to outer space. Here, too, is an excellent example of the improbability of carbonaceous life's existing on this world of contrasts. The side of the planet which is forever turned to Sol is intensely hot, since, day in and day out, it continually receives a good share of the radiation of the mighty Solar machine. It is so unbearably and so inconceivably uncomfortable, that no human being could exist on its surface for more than a few minutes, for he would be charred to a crisp.

   And, on the other side of Mercury, which has never, excepting in dimly remote ages, received any hear from the Sun, one finds just the opposite conditions. Long before our time, this side of the planet had radiated away any heat it might once have had. So, it is rather obvious to astronomers that the temperature is very close to zero degrees, Absolute.

   The existence of organic life on this ancient, heatless world is, to all practical extent out of the question. But then, the idea of life based on some other element than carbon pops into the mind. Since we do not know of any such life on Earth, we are all ready to assume that it does not exist. However, it is the general tendency of mankind to disbelieve until he can see it with his own eyes.

   We have pretty nearly eliminated the possibility of life on Mercury, so let us next consider the planet which has played a great part in Tellurian romance and literature; namely, Venus.

   Here is a warm, cloud-covered world, whose atmosphere is heavily laden with carbon dioxide. Yes, it is highly likely, that, if life exists on any other planet than Earth it will be much like this one. For Venus has much that would aid in supporting life. While we do not know whether the silver-clad sphere rotates on its axis, we think that it most likely does. Some day, when we shall have some type of telescope employing the infra-red or ultra-violet light, we shall see what enigma lies beneath the moisture-saturated air.

   Of course, the third innermost planet, Tellus, does support life -- life of a particularly conceited nature -- life of a malignant form -- life which insists on preying on its own type. The greater majority of life forms on Earth have the hatred for one another which seems to have been inbred in them.

   Next comes Mars, whose capabilities for the support of organic life have been argued over ever since the telescope was turned on its surface. As on Mercury, violent extremes of temperature are found. During the day the temperature soars to normal, but at night, when Mars no longer absorbs the Sun's life-giving energy, and when the thin atmosphere permits the rapid radiation of heat, then the temperature drops to a very low point on the Absolute scale. This condition precludes most chances for the survival of or-

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and hydrogen? Since this is only a subject of conjecture, we cannot prove anything as yet. Suppose we consider the possibility of life for each of the planets, starting with the innermost one, Mercury. Here is a barren, sterile world, perpetually holding one face to the Sun, the other to outer space. Here, too, is an excellent example of the improbability of carbonaceous life's existing on this world of contrasts. The side of the planet which is forever turned to Sol is intensely hot, since, day in and day out, it continually receives a good share of the radiation of the mighty Solar machine. It is so unbearably and so inconceivably uncomfortable, that no human being could exist on its surface for more than a few minutes, for he would be charred to a crisp. And, on the other side of Mercury, which has never, excepting in dimly remote ages, received any hear from the Sun, one finds just the opposite conditions. Long before our time, this side of the planet had radiated away any heat it might once have had. So, it is rather obvious to astronomers that the temperature is very close to zero degrees, Absolute. The existence of organic life on this ancient, heatless world is, to all practical extent out of the question. But then, the idea of life based on some other element than carbon pops into the mind. Since we do not know of any such life on Earth, we are all ready to assume that it does not exist. However, it is the general tendency of mankind to disbelieve until he can see it with his own eyes. We have pretty nearly eliminated the possibility of life on Mercury, so let us next consider the planet which has played a great part in Tellurian romance and literature; namely, Venus. Here is a warm, cloud-covered world, whose atmosphere is heavily laden with carbon dioxide. Yes, it is highly likely, that, if life exists on any other planet than Earth it will be much like this one. For Venus has much that would aid in supporting life. While we do not know whether the silver-clad sphere rotates on its axis, we think that it most likely does. Some day, when we shall have some type of telescope employing the infra-red or ultra-violet light, we shall see what enigma lies beneath the moisture-saturated air. Of course, the third innermost planet, Tellus, does support life -- life of a particularly conceited nature -- life of a malignant form -- life which insists on preying on its own type. The greater majority of life forms on Earth have the hatred for one another which seems to have been inbred in them. Next comes Mars, whose capabilities for the support of organic life have been argued over ever since the telescope was turned on its surface. As on Mercury, violent extremes of temperature are found. During the day the temperature soars to normal, but at night, when Mars no longer absorbs the Sun's life-giving energy, and when the thin atmosphere permits the rapid radiation of heat, then the temperature drops to a very low point on the Absolute scale. This condition precludes most chances for the survival of or-