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FUTURE VOYAGES
TO THE PLANETS
The story of the strange "Wandering Stars," the
planets, is old and fascinating, but must be frequently
revised and retold in the light of modern scientific
progress, and the rapid growth of astronomical knowledge.
I Even greater romance is added to the story when
it is recounted by a gifted scientist, possessed of a
creative imagination and of considerable literary
reputation.
Such a versatile author is
V. A. Firsoff, whose recent work, t
OUR NEIGHBOUR WORLDS"
(Hutchinson's, London, English
price 267-) presents a comprehensive
and up-to-date survey of
the solar system. It makes particular
reference to current
trends in rocket engineering and
aeronautical research projects.
This book is, perhaps, best described
as a primer for students
of space travel. The author is
convinced that voyages to other
planets will be possible within a
few decades, and treats his subject
from this point of view
WEIGHING PLANETS
Here also, the newcomer to
planetary (realms will find the
essential background information
concerning the origin of the
solar system; methods of astronomical
investigation and their
limitations.
To-day, astronomers possess
remarkably accurate knowledge
of the main physical characteristics
and motions of the major
bodies of the solar system
ranging from tiny Mercury in a
fiery orbit close to the sun, out
to where frozen Pluto pursues a
lonely journey through the twi-
light depths of space, 36000 million
miles distant.
One of the most interesting
and ingenious of astronomical
measurements is the weighing of
planets, a triumph of physics
which has enabled scientists to
prove that the giant ringed
Saturn, 700 times larger than
earth, is so light that it would
float in water.
In amazing contrast, Pluto is
supposed to possess a density of
60 times as great as that of
water.
If this is true, the outermost
planet must be composed of
matter unknown on earth, since
here the heaviest chemical
species have densities of only
about 20,
Such discoveries clearly reveal
the limits and inadequacies of
our purely terrestrial experience,
a circumstance which once inspired
Sir Arthur Eddington to
write-off, like Hamlet, you
count yourself king of infinite
space I can only invite atten
nation to certain disquieting ru
A tours which have arisen as to
the state of your Majesty's nut-
shell !"
MYSTERIOUS MOON
"'yS(, study of the orthodox astronomy
of the solar system is
often discouraging to the general
reader, who is led to believe that
the other planets are mere in-
hospitable lifeless masses of
matter pursuing purposeless
paths around a mysterious star.
Mr. Firsoff seeks a more con-
structive interpretation of this
marvellous creation.
He pertinently points out that
each planet, no matter how alien
according to our ideas, is a world
cast in its own peculiar mould,
and therefore is equally significant
with the earth in the grand
scheme of evolution; perhaps to
the extent of having given birth
to appropriate forms of life.
Even our seemingly dead and
airless moon may harbor strange
intelligences for beneath its forbidding
surface residual atmospheric
gases and life-giving
water certainly exist.
CANALS OF MARS
Views of the moon and planets
through the most powerful telescopes
leave many problems un-
solved,.
For instance, the maximum
practical magnification of the
moon's diameter is about 1000
times, which corresponds to observing
its surface from 250
miles, a relatively great distance
for study of fine details.
A more striking example perhaps
of the difficulties encountered
in such observations is
panorama of the earth's surface,
photographed (by automatic
cameras in experimental rockets
used at White Sands, New
Mexico) from an altitude of only
60 miles, which reveals not the
slightest trace of human activities.
How, then, can we adequately
judge what is happening on our
neighbour worlds, millions of
miles remote?
Thus, there is considerable
speculation regarding a certain
features of the Martian landscape,
particularly the famous
"Canal" markings first described
by Schiaparelli in 1877.
However, there, astronomers
can observe the passing of
seasons, an atmosphere with
clouds, polar ice caps and other
phenomena usually associated
with a highly developed living
world.
This ancient red planet probably
has many surprises in store
for any inter-planetary wander-
ers, who would dare set foot
upon its sands.
The author's ideas of what
may exist beneath the cloud veil
of Venus are no less exciting
than his description of the Mar-
tian world.
Since Earth and Venus are
a closely similar in general characteristics,
he thinks that Venus
may sustain a life order not
basically different from ours.
ESCAPE FROM EARTH
With existing chemical fuels,
and use of the compound or
"step" type rocket (in which
successive fuel-bearing sections
are abandoned during accelera-
tion), the attainment of the
seven miles per second speed,
necessary for escape from
earth's gravitation field, seems
to be within reach of present
engineering skill.
. Rapid progress is being made
in such research, but space vehicles
may not always follow the
rocket principle.
Mr. Firsoff suggests that control
of magnetic and gravitational
forces could revolutionise
space flight in the future.
The first step towards inter-
planetary exploration will involve
surveys of the moon toy instru-
ment carrying robot rockets,
observations being recorded
through radio and television
links with earth.
STEPPING STONE
"Space stations" will then be
built on the road to the moon,"
and finally a lunar base-Man's
stepping stone the stars.
With the moon attained, Mars
and Venus will not be left unexplored
for long, and expeditions
to remoter planets will surely
follow.
Although conditions on the
giant planets, like Jupiter,
appear to preclude hope of direct
exploration, their satellites might
prove suitable outposts for a
civilisation spreading across the
solar system.
The pathway to the planets
will be difficult, but not insuper-
able, through the powers of
human genius and science.
This book is a new and
greater geography dealing with i
as yet uncharted islands in the
vast whirlpool of space; and the
reader is made to realise vividly
that we stand on the threshold
of scientific achievements
splendid that radical changes in
the whole order of life and
thought must inevitably result.
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