American astronomer (1876-1956) who rose to become director of the Mount Wilson Observatory. TLS, one page, 8.5 x 11, Mount Wilson Observatory letterhead, June 30, 1931. Letter to Frederic Francais of Long Island, in part: "I think that Eddington would be glad to send you his autograph, and probably Einstein would do the same. I think it very questionable whether a telescope larger than any now existing would add appreciably to our knowledge of the surface of the planet Mars. We have at present plenty of light and plenty of magnification, but the difficulty is that the earth's atmosphere introduces blurring factors which prevent the use of very high magnification. A larger telescope would magnify these factors as well as the surface of the planet. If we could put a telescope outside the earth's atmosphere, we should have no difficulty in observing extremely small details on the planet. Personally I am very doubtful about the existence of life in any of the higher forms on the surface of the planet Mars…It has been shown recently that the oxygen and water content of the atmosphere of Mars is small and altogether conditions seem to be very unfavorable for any of the more advanced forms of life." In fine condition.
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