by K.E. Chilton

This was written to augment a talk by Robert G. Speck to the Discussion Group of the Hamilton Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada on April 22, 1976.

PRE-MARINER FINDINGS

Three main cloud types have been distinguished in the thin, dry, cold Martian atmosphere: white, blue and yellow clouds, so named for the colours which they predominantly reflect.

White Clouds:

White clouds vary considerably in thickness, brilliance and extent. They can be subdivided into three categories:

In 1971, the planet Mars will attract considerable attention, from laymen and from astronomers. For, this is the year in which Mars reaches its minimum distance from the Earth, some 35 million miles on August 10. No doubt, the press will publish a full quota of stories about canals, life on Mars, and whether or not the two moons of Mars are, in fact, satellites put into orbit by a long vanished race. There will invariably be the usual rash of flying saucer tales as is customary in years of close approach.