Arthur C. Clarke s Talking of Space: Report on Planet Three is an enlightening repor t on the universe.

It raises questions on the life on Mars and its possibilities. The space is both mysterious and also beautiful and essay takes us on a trip to the outer space. The style too is unique. The document is viewed through the ey es of Mars. It gives us a comprehensive and comparative study of Mars and Earth. The description of different features of Earth and Mars is also vivid. This doc ument dates from the Late Uranium Age of the Martian Civilization and thus was o riginally written a little more than a thousand years before the birth of Jesus Christ. Earth cant be viewed from Mars when it is closest to Mars. It is beca use of its position as its dark side is turned towards it. Both the earth and the moon have contrasting colours-the moon is silvery white while the earth is sickl y green. Besides days on Mars are longer than days on earth. Martians also feel that more than two-third of the planet earth is covered with liquid called water . Water is a rarity new but it was in abundance thousands of years ago. The atmo sphere of earth too is ten times denser than the Martian atmosphere. Earth s atmos phere contains nitrogen, water vapour and a very reactive element called oxygen. Oxygen is so reactive that it can t exist in the Free State and combines with iro n to form red deserts on Mars. The temperature, too, is higher on Earth as it is closer to the sun than Mars. Thus, the equator is the hottest but the poles are relatively cold. E arth, being larger, exercises a more gravitational force than the Martian atmosp here. This high gravity, thus rules out the possibility of the existence of the larger forms of life. Both Martians and terrestrial creatures do release oxygen during their metabolism. The oxygen in the atmosphere of the earth also helps in the formation of the ozone layer which blocks out the ultra-violet rays of the sun. However, the ultra-violet rays reach the Martian atmosphere unhindered. Bes ides, oxygen also helps in the process of burning and such a phenomenon cannot b e observed on Mars. Forest fires and volcanoes are non-existent on Mars. Earth s a tmospheric moisture, high gravity and proximity to the sun also cause climatic c hanges which aren t present on Mars. It seems that life on Mars would be relatively more comfortable than on earth. Absence of varied geographical forms would help migration there. Besi des, the smaller size of the planet and the greater length of the year would mak e seasonal movements easier. Life, it seems, existed in the ancient Martian seas , just as life existed in our seas. The presence of a big moon near earth also r esults in the creation of tidal forces. These forces cause havoc on earth s waters , thus frequently causing floods. The document, as written from a viewpoint of a Martian-posse the question as how life could exist in such a varied atmosphere. Thus, the Martians find earth to be a mysterious neighbor. The manuscript however, ends abruptly. They say that the use of energ y from atomic nucleus would help them learn more about earth. They also suggest robots to study the earth. In short, it is an interesting document with a twist and a surprise in the end. We are told the remaining portion of the manuscript w as burnt by a thermo-nuclear blast in the Oasis City. It is however, ironical th at the missiles that ended Martian Civilization were launched at the classic mom ent in human history. Source: http://www.shvoong.com/books/classic-literature/2129757-summary-arthur-c larke-talking-space/#ixzz2LfCovwoE