National Geographic Life on Mars

We just watched the 2008 National Geographic Naked Science "Life on Mars" about Mars Lander and the folks at the University of Arizona.

In an earlier post, I talked about how Gene Shoemaker would have wanted to be "right there" with these scientists and their project on Mars.

Today while I was watching this show, it occurred to me how delighted Percival Lowell would have been about all these Mars discoveries and the "little guys and gals" up there working away. The story about the "canals on Mars" may not have turned out the way he thought but, do I think he would be disappointed? I don't think so.

When he sent A.E. Douglass to find the perfect spot for his observatory, in his wildest dreams I don't believe that could envision the future of Martian discoveries. How could he have imagined a machine that could take pictures of the surface of the planet's surface and send those photos back to earth to be turned into the 3-D exhibit? One that would be on display in Lowell Observatory's Rotunda--at his own observatory which is still doing science after more than a hundred years. Wouldn't he be pleased that Lowell and Mars are still connected in the year 2008?

National Geographic, Flagstaff and Lowell

The November 2008 issue of National Geographic has a very welcome article, Our Vanishing Night, on light pollution and its effects on nature and on humans. In the third paragraph down on page 3 of the web version of the article, the writer, Verlyn Klinkenborg, writes about the mission to limit light pollution and protect the dark skies. He mentions Flagstaff and its pioneering civic efforts to control light and protect the viewing at Lowell Observatory. He also writes about the implementation of even more stringent lighting regulations in Flagstaff and its designation as the first International Dark Sky City.

Be sure to take a look at the beautiful photographs by Jim Richardson and read Glynnis McPhee's interview with him.

We do appreciate National Geographic publishing this story that highlights the ever-growing problem of light pollution and acknowledging the efforts of cities around the world to control that pollution.