Mars. III. Canals (ePub)

Percival Lowell (1855-1916) was an esteemed American astronomer, mathematician, and author, renowned for his fervent advocacy of the existence of canals on Mars, a theory which captivated the scientific community and the public imagination alike during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born into a distinguished Boston family, Lowell graduated from Harvard with a distinction in mathematics. Initially pursuing a career in business, he was deeply influenced by his travels in the Far East, documented in his work 'The Soul of the Far East' (1888). However, it was his astronomical research, particularly on Mars, which solidified his legacy. In 1894, he established the Lowell Observatory in Arizona, which became a hub for his observational campaigns. His book 'Mars' (1895), followed by 'Mars and its Canals' (1906), and 'Mars as the Abode of Life' (1908) presented his extensive studies on Martian topography and his theories of an advanced Martian civilization. The pinnacle of his writing on this subject was encapsulated in 'Mars. III. Canals' (1906), wherein Lowell offered detailed descriptions and interpretations of the Martian surface features he termed 'canals,' which he posited were the work of intelligent beings. Despite later scientific rebuttals rendering his canal theories obsolete, Lowell's contributions were significant in advancing the field of planetary science and inspiring public interest in extraterrestrial life. His descriptive, evocative literary style served to make his work accessible and compelling, bridging the gap between scientific discourse and popular science literature.