ice. The long straight lines observed on its surface were mapped by the
Italian astronomer G. Schiapparelli as canals (canali) which led to the
idea that the latter are artificially built constructions by intelligennt beings
— the hypothetical “Martians”.
But here is what the studies carried out by AIS of the Mariner, Mars
and Viking series showed: low atmospheric pressure (0.006 of the
Earth’s); CO₂-atmospheric content reaching up to 95% supplemented by
minimal quantities of O₂, O₃, H₂, CO and water vapours; temperatures
ranging from plus 25°C during the day to minus 100°C in night, being
even lower in certain areas; the polar “white caps” proved to be frozen
CO₂.
Yet, the “secrets” of Mars are still not disclosed. The network of canals
photoregistered (Fig. 1–11) give grounds for assuming that in its historical
development there have been warm and rainy epochs with erosion
processes due to water, which some authors attribute an earlier existence
and development of life on that planet.
image
Figure 1–11. Taken by Viking Orbiter 1, this photograph of the Martian surface shows a small channel system. The channel, about 2.5 kilometers in width, has flow features along its length and tributaries that join the main channel. This and similar channels on Mars suggest that water erosion may have occurred during a warmer and wetter epoch in the planet's history (From Exploring the Living Universe, Washington, DC, 1988)
Jupiter and Saturn. These are the two largest planets in the Solar
system with a number of satellites surrounding them. The studies carried