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Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas County, Virgin Islands
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Dr. Edison Pettit of Mount Wilson Observatory plans to use a special motion picture camera on the 100-inch telescope to photograph Mars' canals during its close approach starting July 6, 1954, potentially solving a 76-year-old scientific mystery and igniting debates on life on the planet.
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LOS ANGELES - Dr. Edison Pettit of Mount Wilson Observatory reports a major 76-year-old scientific mystery--an apparent network of canals on Mars--may be solved next summer.
If the elusive lines are found to be filled with water, new arguments regarding the possible existence of life on the neighbor planet will be precipitated.
A special motion picture camera, Dr. Pettit says, has been prepared to be attached to the world's second largest telescope, the 100-inch lens on Mount Wilson, in hopes of getting the first clear picture of the canals.
From July 6, 1954, for about six weeks, the planet will be only 40,000,000 miles from the earth, within 5,000,000 miles of the closest approach, and Mars will circle directly between the earth and sun.
Mars may be 200,000,000 miles away when it is on the far side of the sun, and is then too remote to photograph advantageously.
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Mount Wilson Observatory, Los Angeles
Event Date
July 6, 1954, For About Six Weeks
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Dr. Pettit reports that a special motion picture camera will be attached to the 100-inch telescope at Mount Wilson to capture clear images of Mars' canals during its close approach next summer, potentially resolving a 76-year-old mystery and prompting discussions on life on Mars if water is confirmed.