The Possibility of Life on Mars

Abstract

MR. DINES's important letter on the “Isothermal Layer of the Atmosphere” has obviously an important bearing on the question of the gases that have been retained or lost by the atmosphere of Mars. If the temperature of our atmosphere ceases to decrease when a height averaging 35,000 feet is reached, and then remains practically constant at an average temperature of 47° C. whatever height be, attained, we may expect somewhat similar conditions to prevail in the atmosphere of Mars, and naturally ask what are the temperatures which will allow of the escape of the different gases.