Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-12-07
Sunrise OH the Moon.
THE WONDERS REVEALED BY THE ADVANCING
SUNLIGHT ON TILE MOONS SrRFACE


SUNLIGHT ON THE MOONS SURFACE.
Saturday evening a representative OF the
c HOCrGf ara Chronicle. impressed with the
idea that it was suitable opportunity to view
the moon, called upon Prof. Lewis Swift at his
hardware store on State street and inquired if
the time was suitable to accept his invitation to
look at the moon through his telescope. Prof
SWIft-he Is called professor from no desire or
claim OF his own, but because the citizens of
Rochester delight to honor hm-Said that the
half moon was the most interesting. but cdnsid-
cradle satisfaction could be gained from view
ing 1t in its present phase, and expressed cor
dial wish to crafty us.
The telescope, with power of Sc diameters,
was turned upon the moon. At first the food
Of light was binding, and the view was but
cursory. The moon looked like shield OF en-
boSsed silver-the shield of AchlleS-hung by
his goddess mother in the azure Of the Heavens
Prof Swift looked over the field and noted as he
looked many Of the interesting points, and Sug-
geSted that we follow the sunrise on the moon
on the moon the dawn advanced at the rate OF
10 miles an hour, lighting up new fields and
furnishing to him an ever-changing panorama
Stin, there is naught but deSOlation, yawning
craters and sharp peaks of volcanic mountains
and circular walls with perpendicular sides that
surround deep pits. The moon Is dead to all
appearance-bulned out with volcanic fires No
water layes the deSolate and rugged shores of
lis gray sea bottoms. But in the gray plains
where some astronomers think an ocean once
spread, craterS are seen with perpendicular
walls; The gray plains can be seen with the
naked eye, forming what is called s'the man in
the MOON" On map like the eastern continent
Under the telescope we could trace what
seemed at first to be shore lines on the borders
Of this plain. ON closer Inspection, instead of
waye-wasled sand, these lines appeared to be
out rounded steps formed by successive lava
bursts spreading over the plain and making by
the lessenng flow the gradual exhaustion of the
volcanic force. From one OF the largest craterS
rise three volcanic cones. the SUBMITS of which
are tipped with sunlight before the floor of the
crater Is lighted. In another large crater two
cones arise. From the larger crateTS rays spread
out, as though the volcanic force cracked the
firm crust in its upheayal, injecting through the
broken surface ridges of dazzling white lava,
ering vast surface.
The grandeSt phenomena are to be observed
ny following the sun On the moon: The ad-
tie surface still in darkness. The suns rays
pass over dark chaSmS and low fields, lighting
up ragged mountain tops far in advance They
appear like little islands OF light lying off the
coast of an illuminated sea. High mountains
and crater walls near the shore OF light cast
deep shadows. The circular rims of crater are
illuminated and shine like rings OF silver, gilt
terinS upon cushion of darkness. The adj
Vancing dawn now lights up the bases OF the
outlying mountains that bat q moment ago
showed but speck OF light, and still new
mountain tops are tipped with silver far in
advance. The sunlight strikes upon the side
OF circular wall OF a crater, and there is a
silver crescent, with black space between it
and the sea Of light. Slowly the summit OF
other portions OF the circular wall are lighted
up, and then the sunlight invades the depths of
tHe crater, While the shadow of the wall nearest
the sun stretches half across the floor Of the
chaSm. Frequently great gaps are broken in
the crater walls and streaks of light stream
across the 1loor. The Jagged rocks, In calm,
cold beauty. shine and glitter in the fierce white
light. The mountains are mountains Of desc
lation, and the valleys are valleys of silence
and death. They are wrinkled with the flow of
lava and torn With upheavaS. The moon is
dead. NO air, no sea, no forest shade, or living
thing. The moon is a never-failing source Of
delight. ii is also awful In its suggestions of
power and in its loneliness Of utter deSolation.-
| Rochester ChTOaicie.