The Astronomical Outlook 



harmonious information. When at last we get 

 photographs as large and distinct as the draw- 

 ings which observers furnish photographs made 

 at different times and stations we shall be 

 better able to discriminate between the perma- 

 nent and the transient; between markings that 

 are really geographical and those which are only 

 phenomena of the planet's atmosphere; between 

 changes that are merely apparent and those that 

 are real, significant, and important such as are 

 due to geographical changes, to the progress of 

 the planet's seasons, or possibly to the conse- 

 quent growth and decay of vegetation, as in field 

 and forest. And in the study and interpretation 

 of the visible phenomena our successors will be 

 aided by the new appliances for the measure- 

 ment of heat and other radiations which they 

 may be expected to have at their disposal. As 

 to the discovery of intelligent inhabitants, few 

 astronomers, I think, seriously expect it, or even 

 consider it within the range of probability; still 

 less that we shall ever be able to enter into com- 

 munication with them, even if assured of their 

 existence. 



Doubtless a multitude of new asteroids will be 

 found, and possibly some new light will be thrown 

 on their origin. It may be, too, that other 

 planets may be discovered one or two, perhaps, 

 outside of Neptune, and possibly some small 

 bodies between Mercury and the sun. 



The almost startling discovery of the little 

 satellites of Mars and the new pigmy of Jupiter's 

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