Astronomers in the second half of the 19th century were fascinated by Mars, creating detailed maps of its surface and speculating about potential life. One prominent scientist who used science fiction to explore the possibilities was Parisian astronomer Camille Flammarion. In his book “The Planet Mars” (1892), Flammarion concluded that Mars, like Earth, must be a living world due to their shared evolutionary history.
Unlike his contemporaries, Flammarion focused on the differences between the two planets, believing that any life found on Mars would be evolutionarily adapted to its specific conditions. He took an agnostic stance in his work, acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding Martian surface features. However, he did predict that intelligent life on Mars would be more ancient and advanced than human life on Earth.
Flammarion’s imaginative novels allowed him to explore Mars without relying on scientific evidence. In these works, he described a peaceful, unified civilization with a deep understanding of astronomy and the sciences. This vision of a future society was inspired by his desire for world peace among humans, who had suffered through devastating wars and poverty.
Flammarion’s contributions as a popularizer of science were significant, helping to turn people’s minds toward the heavens. His work remains an important example of how science can inspire societal aspirations and our understanding of ourselves in the universe.
Source: https://www.space.com/astronomy/mars/early-visions-of-mars-meet-the-19th-century-astronomer-who-used-science-fiction-to-imagine-the-red-planet