The early astronomer Percival Lowell looked at Mars through telescopes and saw patterns on the planet's surface. He came to the conclusion that they were evidence of canals and planted crops.
Twentieth century unmanned probes proved conclusively that Mars wasn't home to an advanced alien civilisation.
While today's mainstream scientific theories about the Solar System aren't quite as colourful as Lowell's, future scientists will no doubt prove some of today's theories wrong.
Photo: Asaph Hall, discoverer of Mars's moons, Phobos and Deimos (USNO)
Asaph Hall
A careful observer discovers Mars's moons.
Christiaan Huygens
The 17th century astronomer describes Saturn's rings.
Clyde Tombaugh
An American astronomer discovers Pluto in 1930.
Galileo Galilei
The Italian astronomer challenges orthodox views.
George Hale
A founder of observatories studies the Sun.
John Herschel
The son of Uranus's discoverer carries on the family tradition.
Percival Lowell
The Pluto searcher sees canals on Mars.
Robert Hooke
The 17th century English physicist models lunar craters.
Sergei Korolev
Russia's top rocket engineer is responsible for many firsts.
William Herschel
The German-born British astronomer discovers Uranus.
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