Can we Radio a Message to Mars?

By Thomas Waller

The news that certain disturbances are affecting radio receiving instruments on both sides of the Atlantic has given rise to the hypothesis that some other planet is signalling us. There seems to be no question in the minds of scientists, who have considered this phenomenon, that the source of these mysterious manifestations lies outside our own earth.

The question then is, Where do these electrical disturbances originate? A few scientists suggest that possibly electrical storms, sweeping across the vast surface of the sun's face, are expending their last bit of energy ninety-three million miles away, as indicated by wireless receiving apparatus. Other scientists, of world-wide reputation, maintain, on the other hand, that it is not at all impossible that definitely measured Hertzian waves are being shot in our direction by intelligent beings of another planet in a tremendous attempt to communicate with us. If the latter are right, it is probably from either Mars or Venus that this spectacular feat of the ages is being attempted in this age of wonders.

Scientists as well as the general public have a tendency to give credit, if any is due, to Mars. This may be partly explained by the fact that the late Percival Lowell, one of the world's most distinguished astronomers, gave wide publicity to the idea that the series of lines that cross the face of Mars may be a system of canals dug for irrigation purposes.

On the other hand, astronomers, on probable grounds, deduce the belief that it is hardly likely that animal life could exist on Venus. Its atmosphere is nearly twice as dense as that of the earth. Being much closer to the sun, it is estimated that it receives nearly twice as much light and heat as do we. With its greater density of atmosphere, combined with the greater heat, it is probable that water exists there only in the form of dry steam. This situation is not conducive to human life as we know it.

However, Mars, from the viewpoint of an Earthian, has distinct disadvantages as a place of abode. Its mean distance from the sun is over one hundred and forty million miles. The atmosphere is very thin, and the climate must be quite cold — at least the greater part of the time. Its inhabitants, therefore, would have to have tremendous lung capacity in order to take into the system enough oxygen from the rarefied atmosphere. Astronomers further believe that the water on Mars dries up rapidly, and that it is from the ice caps at the poles of the planet that water is obtained during certain periods when this ice begins to melt. Professor Percival Lowell maintained that the Martians ran canals across the planet from these ice caps in order to obtain the melted water for irrigation purposes in the arid regions of this planet.

A race overcoming this tremendous handicap of environment must be very well organized and efficient. This presupposes intelligence of the highest order.

In speculating upon the source of the electrical disturbances that radio operators on two continents have noted, we have reason, therefore, in giving Mars favorable consideration.

It has been suggested that in the interest of pure science and, better still, to satisfy the great curiosity of the beings of our sphere to penetrate some of the mysteries of space, we should attempt to reply to these supposed signals with others similar in kind. Physicists tell us that it would be possible to generate and hurl into space vast Hertzian, or wireless, waves that would drive as far as Mars. Indeed, relatively speaking, it might not prove as great a task to communicate in this manner through space as it has been found to communicate between two wireless stations at considerable distance on the surface of the earth.

It will be remembered that the German gun that bombarded Paris from a distance of approximately seventy-five miles accomplished its feat because of its high trajectory. Its shell reached as its zenith a point several miles above the earth's surface. Thus, before it had lost its tremendous momentum, it escaped somewhat the pulling effect of the earth and the resistance offered by the greater density of the atmosphere close to the surface of the earth. In the same way giant. Hertzian waves might be shot up and out, which would quickly pass into the nebulous ether of space where resistance to their progress would be relatively slight.

Yet, even under such favorable conditions, by the time the electrical energy had passed through the many millions of miles that lie between Mars and the earth, probably not one hundred-millionth part of its initial energy would remain. All that would be necessary, of course, would be enough to operate the receiving wireless apparatus of the Martians.

If the same set of signals were thus sent through space at a given time every day for a definite period, the Martians would then know that their signals were being responded to, and that intelligent beings actually inhabit the earth. We can imagine what excitement this would cause on Mars, and doubtless they would endeavor to answer in exactly the same way so as to let us know that our messages were being received.

Why, if conscious beings are attempting to communicate with us, we have not yet noticed any regularity in the signals affecting our radio apparatus is not clear. It may be due to atmospheric conditions, just as atmospheric conditions here frequently interfere with the transmission of messages between two of our wireless stations. However, we can readily believe that if we are able to send through regularly our signals a tremendous incentive will be created among the Martians to overcome any difficulties they may have encountered in the past.

It has been suggested that to accomplish our purpose we erect upon some high point a series of truly gigantic poles and antennae. Dr. Charles P. Steinmetz, Chief Consulting Engineer of the General Electric Company at Schenectady, N. Y., suggests that we require practically all the electric power available at any one time in this one country to shoot the gigantic sparks to Mars. The cost of such an operation, including the erection of the wireless system, would not, he thinks, fall short of one billion dollars.

It seems at first sight as if this is asking a tremendous price for the privilege of making an experiment that may bring no results whatever. We are taking several things for granted. First, that Mars is inhabited; second, that its human beings have attained so high a degree of intelligence that they employ wireless; third, that the radio disturbances we have noted actually emanate from that planet. Suppose we go to all this expense and trouble, fire our electric waves hopefully, wait patiently, and then are greeted by nothing but profound silence. It is a long shot to say the least.

But if we should receive a definite response, it is not unreasonable to believe that the whole trend of our thoughts and civilization might change for the better. Once communication were established, it is probable that some simple, brief, and understandable code might be arranged. Just what that code might be, or any part of it, it would be hard to say. Constant repetitions of certain astronomical phenomena that would appear to the gaze of the Martians at a certain moment each day or night might be the starting point. It is possible that some way might be devised for transmitting our conception of certain geometrical figures. There is even a suggestion by one man that we try to send pictures by wireless.