Look for Background in ‘Martian Chronicles’
The photo accompanying “Surprises in Clearest Mars Photos Yet” (Jan. 7) reminded me of Ray Bradbury’s “The Martian Chronicles,” which I read this summer. The Mars imagined by Bradbury was hot, shimmering, “broiling like a prehistoric mud pot,” teeming with wine trees and flame birds. Nothing like the photo sent back by the Spirit rover, which reminds me of the American desert.
Yet I couldn’t help wondering if, standing directly behind the “pancam” that was taking the pictures for us Earthlings, there was a Bradbury-like Martian with sharp, yellow coin eyes, brownish skin, movements quick like an insect and a voice metallic and sharp. There’s no way we’ll ever know, is there?
Kathi Smith
Ojai
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