How alien ‘canals’ sparked debate over life on Mars

In the late 19th century, astronomers' claims of "canals" on Mars sparked a mania in America, suggesting intelligent life. Percival Lowell championed this theory, funding extensive observations. Despite scientific skepticism, media sensationalism fueled public fascination, influencing advertising, literature, and even respected figures. Though the canals were proven to be optical illusions by 1909, this episode illustrates how scientific bias and public eagerness can distort evidence, serving as a cautionary tale relevant to modern sensationalist scientific claims.