Sunday 26 April 2015

Percival Lowell's Globe of Mars

Percival Lowell was an American businessman and astronomer who founded an observatory in Arizona in the late 19th century.  He was convinced of the existence of the Martian canals and studied the Red Planet extensively to chart their positions.

I was thrilled this week to find Percival Lowell's globe of Mars at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington DC.  A great pity they dont sell reproductions in the gift shop!








In an interesting post script, Lowell was also one of those who predicted the stance of a planet past Neptune and his observatory went on to prove the existence of Pluto after his death:




10 comments:

PatG said...

That is too bad, I would love to have one in the library.

Galdarbjelke said...

I agree with Pat, too bad!

Lovely pictures!

Paul O'G said...

I was looking at how I might make one by cutting out one of his maps and wrapping it around a ball...

John Lambshead said...

A great shame. I would order one.

Mad Padre said...

Fascinating. I had no idea about this chap. The interests of people like Lowell may explain the audience that HG Wells wrote War of the Worlds for.

James Reynolds said...

Write to the Smithsonian. If they see enough demand, they may decide to offer a reproduction.

Unknown said...

Check with the Lowell Observatory gift shop.

Unknown said...

A reproduction is available for a short time at this link:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/lowell-observatory#/story

Anonymous said...

PKM produces traditionally handcrafted 12" Mars Canal globes - one is currently on ebay:

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Marsglobus-Mars-globe-Marskanale-Mars-and-its-canals-Percival-Lowell-Globus-/331613521377?hash=item4d35b4c5e1

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An exploration of debauchery, vice and other reasons to be a man!

An exploration of debauchery, vice and other reasons to be a man!