Is Mars Habitable?


Read by Caliban

(4.3 stars; 13 reviews)

In 1907 Wallace wrote the short book Is Mars Habitable? to criticize the claims made by Percival Lowell that there were Martian canals built by intelligent beings. Wallace did months of research, consulted various experts, and produced his own scientific analysis of the martian climate and atmospheric conditions. Among other things Wallace pointed out that spectroscopic analysis had shown no signs of water vapour in the Martian atmosphere, that Lowell's analysis of Mars's climate was seriously flawed and badly overestimated the surface temperature, and that low atmospheric pressure would make liquid water, let alone a planet girding irrigation system, impossible. (from Wikipedia) (3 hr 1 min)

Chapters

Preface 5:23 Read by Caliban
Early Observers of Mars 9:51 Read by Caliban
Mr. Lowell's Discoveries and Theories 13:47 Read by Caliban
The Climate and Physiography of Mars 26:35 Read by Caliban
Is Animal Life Possible on Mars? 10:46 Read by Caliban
Temperature on Mars - Mr. Lowell's Estimate 25:16 Read by Caliban
A New Estimate of the Temperature on Mars 35:51 Read by Caliban
A Suggestion as to the "Canals" of Mars 39:06 Read by Caliban
Page Summary and Conclusion 14:30 Read by Caliban

Reviews

Happy Centennial!


(5 stars)

Forgive a reader for posting his own praises. But this is more about the celebration of Wallace than anything else. Please note that Oct of 2007 marks the 100th anniversary of this publication. A well reasoned and painstaking made argument against the fanciful ravings of Percival Lowell. The fact that 100 years later there are those who are still accusing NASA of concealing the "Face on Mars" says something about the power of Myth and the human condition in general. Just what I have no particular idea ... Caliban

Lots of food for thought


(4 stars)

Interesting stuff, this, and only a little of it is discredited by what we know today.

A book that was way ahead of its time


(4 stars)

Mr Caliban is an excellent reader, precise and and professorial.

Well read and interesting


(4 stars)

Amazing what was observable and deducible with such primitve equipment.