1. We Can Remember It For You Wholesale
by Philip K Dick

2. Mariner-Mars 1964 and Knowledge of Mars by 1966
Joshua Johnson
English 1102
Freshman Year

3. Early Observations of Mars -
First Observed by Galileo Galilei in 1608.
Initially limited by telescope optics.
Christian Huygens made the first reliable observations of the red planet, recognizing Syrtis Major.
It’s period, about 24 hours and 40 minutes, was measured in by Giovanni Cassini. (Dunkin, 2)

4. Speculation of Life on Mars -
William Herschel suggested life may exist on Mars in the 18th century
Based upon similarities between earth and the red planet – including
1. Similar Period of Rotation – 24 hours 39 minutes
2. Similar rotation axis – 25 degrees
3. Ice Caps, Cloud Coverage speculation, &ct

5. Maps of Mars -
Wilhelm Beer developed the first map of Mars in the 1830’s – it was very poor in quality.
Subsequent maps improved in quality –
Mars swung close to earth in 1891 and was easy to observe.
Schiaparelli, Lowell – “Canali” Theory.
Asaph Hall – Discovered Mar’s Moons in 1877
Phobos and Deimos
Nothing else was known… Until… (Dunkin, 3)

6. Mariner
Mariner 4, the first successful entity to photograph another planet, was launched on November 28th, 1964.
The probe contained many instruments, and had imaging capability.

7. Mars Bound! Mariner Flew by Mars on July 15th, 1965.
Took the first accurate surface images of the planet.
Communication with Mariner was lost in December, 1967.
Mariner Three did not reach Mars. (Nasa Jet Propulsion Laboratory)

8. Returned Images – 22 Total

9. Mariner Mission conclusions -
Concluded that Mars had little atmosphere and no detectable magnetic field
Furthermore, there was a cold surface temperature of -100 Celsius.
According to the NY Times, “Mars was probably a dead planet”. (New York Times, 1965)

10. Total Images Rendered – 5MB
Shaped the Mars that Dick’s Viewer’s perceived.
Lead to SF being located not on nearby planets, but around distant stars and galaxies.
Eg. Avatar, Stargate, &ct
Ended the era of realistic Martian SF.

11. Works Cited
Dunkin, Sarah K. "Early Observations of Mars." Mars in the Classroom. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Feb <
"Galileo's Telescope." Universe Today. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Feb <
Knapton, Sarah K. "Mission to Mars 2030." Science Column - UK Telegraph. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Feb < Independent-Mars-colony-by-2030s.html>.
Nelson, Jon. "Mission to Mars: Mariner 4." Nasa Jet Propulsion Laboratory. N.p., n.d. Web. Jan.-Feb
Sloan, R. K. "Mariner 4." N.p., Jan.-Feb Web. <
"This Day in Aviation." T Minus Zero. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Feb <

12. Reading Question
Does Philip K. Dick’s depiction mind altering technology lead to a positive or negative view of such advances, namely, does such technology benefit society at large?