Which Italian astronomer's 1877 observations provided the initial inspiration for Lowell's work on Martian surface features?
Answer
Giovanni Schiaparelli
The foundation for Lowell’s intense focus on Martian infrastructure was laid by the Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli, who observed dark markings and referred to them as *canali* in 1877.
Related Questions
What career path did Percival Lowell pursue before dedicating himself entirely to astronomy in 1894?Why did Percival Lowell choose Flagstaff, Arizona, for establishing his observatory?Which Italian astronomer's 1877 observations provided the initial inspiration for Lowell's work on Martian surface features?What did the Italian term *canali*, used by Schiaparelli, translate to in English?What was Lowell's radical conclusion regarding the network of linear markings he observed on Mars?According to Lowell's theory, what was the ultimate purpose of the vast, interconnected canals on Mars?What psychological phenomenon is cited as the reason the human brain might perceive distinct, interconnected networks in faint Martian patterns?What scientific technique later provided evidence suggesting Mars lacked the necessary resources for Lowell's proposed canal system?Which astronomer, operating at the Harvard College Observatory, was unable to verify the existence of the canals seen by Lowell?In which of Lowell's influential books, published in 1908, did he present a philosophical argument supporting extant Martian life?In what year did Percival Lowell die, having remained committed to his observations of the canals?