150 The Sky 
ings of just such a kind. Moreover, astronomical photographs — 
of the planets are notoriously disappointing as compared to ~ 
the view obtained with eye and telescope. Most astronomers | 
are willing to admit the possibility of life on Mars, even the — 
possibility of a regular system of canals, but as yet will not — 
commit themselves because the observations are not suffi- 
ciently definite one way or the other. As the famous Ameri- 
can astronomer, Percival Lowell, has pointed out, if there 
does exist a huge and intricate network of actual canals on — 
Mars, it must be the work of intelligent beings. Moreover, — 
from the magnitude of the project they must have achieved 
a civilization inclusive of their entire planet—which is more : 
than we, unfortunately, have been able to do on ours. 
THE WRECK OF A PLANET . P 
Outside of the orbit of Mars is a great gap in which there : 
is no planet, but in which there are a large number of F. 
smaller bodies called asteroids. These smaller bodies are 
considered to be the fragments of a large planet which once 
had an orbit in the gap outside of Mars. The number of aster- — 
oids is constantly being added to as new ones are discovered. 
They are so numerous that keeping track of them is becom- — 
ing a serious problem. It is probable that a Home for Lost — 
Asteroids will have to be provided to take care of the ma- — 
jority of them with the exception of large or peculiar aster- 
oids of particular interest whose special proper? make > 
them worth studying. 
JUPITER 
Beyond the asteroids is the giant planet, Jupiter, ten times | 
the diameter of the earth, accompanied by a host of moons 
