02417cam a22003133u 4500 10855 UtSlPG 20260610133247.0 m cr n 260607r2004||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d UtSlPG en iso639-1 QB Wallace, Alfred Russel, 1823-1913 Is Mars habitable? A critical examination of Professor Percival Lowell's book "Mars and its canals," with an alternative explanation Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2004 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Release date is 2004-01-01 Produced by Thaadd and the PG Distributed Proofreading Team "Is Mars Habitable?" by Alfred Russel Wallace is a critical examination of Professor Percival Lowell's theories on the habitability of Mars, written in the early 20th century. The work critically addresses the claims made in Lowell's book, "Mars and Its Canals," particularly the idea that Mars may support intelligent life due to its supposed irrigation canals. Wallace presents scientific evidence and arguments that refute the notion of Mars as a habitable planet, focusing on its harsh climatic conditions and lack of substantial water sources. At the start of the book, Wallace details his motivations for challenging Lowell's theories, emphasizing the necessity of addressing the claims made in Lowell's recent mathematical publication. He reviews historical observations of Mars to establish a foundation for the discourse. Wallace outlines early astronomers' findings, including Schiaparelli's detection of the "canals" and subsequent assertions that they might be tools of an intelligent civilization. The opening chapters establish the groundwork for a thorough critique of Lowell's conclusions about Martian climate, geography, and potential for life, setting the stage for a scientific exploration of the realities of Mars, in contrast to the romanticized theories suggesting its habitability. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Original publication data not identified Lowell, Percival, 1855-1916. Mars and its canals Mars (Planet) https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10855 52304 52304