Science: Beyond Earth

Last week, as the shadow of war hung over Europe, the war planet, baleful red Mars, hung bright and big over the world. Astronomers were particularly interested in the red planet, for (in astronomical figures) Mars was very close to Earth and getting closer every minute. This week the space gap between Earth and Mars dwindles to 36,030,000 miles—the nearest approach in 15 years. Astronomers have been scanning and photographing Mars for weeks, this week will redouble their efforts. But to the old and battered question which still fascinates laymen—does intelligent life on Mars exist—astronomers good-naturedly gave some old answers and...

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