ADVANCE OF ASTRONOMY. 293 



other. The other great planets are much more distant, while, of 

 course, the stars properly so called are millions of times as far. 



Great, then, was the astonishment of the astronomers when, 

 by the discovery of Eros, Mars and Venus were suddenly dethroned 

 from their position of being the earth's nearest neighbors among 

 the planetary host. This little Eros will, under favorable circum- 

 stances, approach the earth to within about one third the distance 

 of Mars when nearest, or about one half the distance of Venus 

 when nearest. We thus concentrate on Eros all the interest which 

 arises from the fact that, the moon of course excepted, Eros is the 

 nearest globe to the earth in the wide expanse of heaven. To the 

 astronomer this statement is of the utmost significance; when Eros 

 comes so close it will be possible to determine its distance with a 

 precision hitherto unattainable in such measurements. Once the 

 distance of Eros is known, the distance of the sun and of all the 

 other planets can be determined. The importance of the new dis- 

 covery arises, then, from the fact that by the help of Eros all our 

 measurements in the celestial spaces will gain that for which every 

 astronomer strives — namely, increased accuracy. 



Seeing that the existence of intelligence is a characteristic fea- 

 ture of this earth, we feel naturally very much interested in the 

 question as to whether there can be intelligent beings dwelling on 

 other w^orlds around us. It is only regrettable that our means 

 of solving this problem are so inadequate. Indeed, until quite 

 lately it would have been almost futile to discuss this question at 

 all. All that could then have been said on the subject amounted 

 to little more than the statement that it would be intolerable pre- 

 sumption for man to suppose that he alone, of all beings in the uni- 

 verse, was endowed with intelligence, and that his insignificant 

 little earth, alone amid the myriad globes of space, enjoyed the dis- 

 tinction of being the abode of life. Recent discovery has, however, 

 given a new aspect to this question. At the end of this century 

 certain observations have been made disclosing features in the 

 neighboring planet. Mars, which have riveted the attention of the 

 world. On this question, above most others, extreme caution is 

 necessary. It is especially the duty of the man of science to weigh 

 carefully the evidence offered to him on a subject so important. 

 He will test that evidence by every means in his power, and if he 

 finds the evidence establishes certain conclusions, then he is bound 

 to accept such conclusions irrespective of all other circimistances. 



Mr. Percival Lowell has an observatory in an eminently favor- 

 able position at Elagstaff, in Arizona. He has a superb telescope, 

 and enjoys a perfect climate for astronomical work. Aided by 

 skillful assistants, he has- observed Mars under the most favorable 



