eight o'clock
So far as can be gathered from the records of our whaling and polar expeditions , it would appear that our north polar snow-cap is from 20 ° to 30 ° in diameter when at the minimum ; whilst the southern snow-cap is nearly 40 ° in diameter when smallest . * * * * * We had arrived upon Mars on the 24th of September 1909 , according to terrestrial reckoning ; but according to the Martian date it was then the 26th of June in the southern hemisphere , where Sirapion , our landing-place , is situated . The season was , therefore , midsummer , and as Sirapion is in latitude 25 ° south and in the sub-tropical zone , the temperature was fairly high . The mornings were much more clear and brilliant than those on our earth ; the warmth and general `` feel '' of the air at that time reminding me very much of what it is like in the south of England between seven and eight o'clock on a hot sunny day . Those who enjoy an early morning walk know how delightful and exhilarating it becomes towards that time . There is neither chilliness nor uncomfortable heat ; one feels a delightful sense of freedom and that it is good to be alive . This is really the best and most enjoyable time on a summer 's day .