Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-12-20


Considerable discussion has arisen over the
question why the moon is an airiess waterless
globe, and many theories have been put for
ward to solve it. The fact that the moon was
formerly the seat of volcanic action far more in
tense than anything to be found on the earth,
makes it hard to believe that she has always
been without gases and liquids, since terrestrial
experience goes to show that water is an i'm
portant factor in all volcanic outbreaks, and
that great volcanoes are never found far from
the sea coast Then the numerous volcanic
vents on the moon would be certain to throw
out large quantity of gases. What has be-
come of these, and of the water which at one
time most probably existed on the moons sur
face? One theorist has hidden them away in
the cavernS within the body of the moon.
Another has banished them to the farther side of
the satellite. Another has frozen them by the
intense cold of the lunar night. Another has
had them whisked Off by comet. A correspond
ent of The English Mechanic adds still another
theory. Referring to the opinion OF Mr.. Lockyer
and others in favor of the metalloidal compost
is largely composed of metalloids, it is not un-
likely that sulphur forms large proportion OF
her bulk. The presence OF sulphur in large
quantities On the lunar surface has already been
surmised by Professor Dana, partly because it
is found in abundance in and AROUND terrestrial
craters. and might therefore be expected to be
present In a like manner iii SO volcanic region
as the moon, partly because it is found to
exist in meteorites. Supposing sulphur, then
to be present in large quantities in the moon.
when she was in an intensely heated and vapOr-
IL
and hydrogen to be likewise present, would they
not (at least the oxygen and hydrogen) unite
with the sulphur as the temperature fell below
the point OF dissertation and form Sulphuric
acid in large volumes? This acid, in state of
solution, would in time fall in rain on the sur
face OF the moon, and, passing into the heated
interior Of her globe. would, by its fierce boiling
amply supply the place Of the water. to which
1t Is thought terrestrial volcanoes owe much OF
their explosive energy. Nitric acid might also
be formed by the intense electric action which
would doubtless be set up by the election OF
steam and other vapors from the countless
craters. These acids would combine with other
substances present on and beneath the moons
surface and form SulphateS and ntrateS. Thus
we might expect the moons surface to be COW
cred to great extent with crystalline forma-
uOns The crystalline beds might perhaps ac-
count for the remarkably different degrees Of
brightness which certain parts of the moon as
sumo under different angles of Illumination, as
we'll as for the different actintc power Of certain
lunar regions which appear equally bright to
the eye. Possibly, too, a crystalline formation
may account for the remarkable brightness Of
AristarChuS zone Of the lunar craterS), and for
the supposed changes in Lime, to say nothing
OF the much discussed crater of DR.. Klein. The
formation Of these acids and their final union
with other substances would of course gradu-
ally withdraw much oxygen, nitrogen and ny
drogen from the atmosphere, and this process
going on might end in leaving little or no fluid,
either in the form of vapor, liquid or air, on the
moons surface"