''Correspondence with Roger Putnam''

              536 8.  Alameda BlTd.
Las Cruces, *ew Mexico
U June,  1953
Mr.  Soger S. Put nam,  Trustee
XomXl Observatory
Package Machinery Cosspany
Bast Lffugaeadow, Massachusetts
Bear Mr;  Putnam:
Tour letter of 2 June was received,
?he idea of forming a special cosp.?aittee for She coordination of observation
and study of Mars is an excellent one.  I should be glad to serve on such m
coani>tee and to assist ia its work.
It say be profitable for the committee to iseet every  two or three acnths at
various places, particularly those observatories watch can take an active part
in the observational prograa. Tola would persit the various sambers to see the
equipment, its a&nner of use, and first hand results. This a«y lead to improve-
aer-ts ia technique. However, I feel that the central hooe of such a oosalttee
should be at Flagstaff.
The first jaeeting could be held at 3oulder, but this aey have limitations
because sose of the possible members a&y be obliged to divide their tisne an
other interests and duties of the A.A.S. meeting.
The Martian studies could he divided into four or aore categories, namely:
CD Astresetric, (2) Meteorological, (3) Geological, and (b)    Biological.
Bach categorical section might be headed by a sub-chairman, or vice-chairsian,
and responsible to the chairaan of the committee. :<Jaeh section chairmHa could
outline the objectives for test, describe and remotest the kinds of observational
data needed with respect to Martian tisae and region. IShere will be sisny overlapping requirements, so that considerable economy of effort cus be effected
in the various kinds of observations. In addition to the regular yisml and
photographic aethoia, photometric, aicronetrie, spectrograph!c, radiometric and
polarisetric Beans should be directed cc specific localities on Mar3 at specific
seasonal dates to teat specific questions.
The time is ripe to launch a concentrated attack on the geology of tho
planet. Great advances have been aa&© in terrestrial dynamic geology (including
diastrophisa, isoatasy and crustal strength) during the past two decades. It
seems to ase that these concept a are now saature enough to extend thess to Mars
and the other planets. Xhe topography of a planet ia particularly important
because it greatly influences the meteorology, which in turn strongly affects
the biology of a planet. During sy college years, X elected courses of study
along these lines ia order to acquire background for interpreting the various
phenomena of plaaetology. In attempting to work out a tentative geology during