Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-02-24
THE MOONS SURFACE.
Shadows OF the Lunar Mountains - a
Nocturnal study.

Shadows OF the Lunar Mountains - a
Nocturnal study.
From the comparative proximity OF
the moon and the extreme readiness
with which we may discern the visible
characters of the objects presented on
her disk, is it not surprising that our
satellite has always attracted a large
measure of attention. Before the in
vention of the telescope, little could be
seen hey ond a few indefinite dark
spots, but subsequently to the time OF
Galileo astronomers have ever been
endeavoring
Rivers and mountains, in her spotty globe.
As to mountains and their allied for
nations, large numbers have been dis
covered upon the moon, but no indica-
tons of rivers or seas have ever been
distinguished. There is, in fact, no
appearance on the disk Surveyed with
powerful telescope and critically
examined in detaiD which would war
rant us in assuming that any consider
able body of water exists on the moon,
or that rivers or lakes form part Of the
physical arrangement of her exterior.
The numerous clefts or burrows, some
of which are of numerous extent and
form very interesting objects Of study,
were supposed by Gruithuisen to be
old, dried river beds, but the idea is
not substantiated by other observers,
and it must be admitted that these
canal-like assures on the inner surface
remain involved mystery so far as their
origin is concerned. and we appear to
be equally in the dark as to their
present or future purposes with relation
to the other objects which diversity the
surface of our satellite.
The moon is also found equally des-
titute of anything in the shape Of an
atmosphere. A perfectly uniform
serenity pervades her general features,
and enables them to be exhibited to US
with invariable sharpness Of outline.
There are none of the clouds or obscur-
ing yapors which are so common .
feature of the terrestrial atmosphere.
We are thus able to view the surface
with great distinctness and to trace the
details of minute objects with clear
ness and perspicuity that would be i'm
possible under less favorable circum-
stances. 1t is evident that our satellite,
though it may formerly have been in
volved in an atmosphere, is now devoid
of such an appendage of sufficient in
tensity to be distinguished in our teles-
copes, though it is quite possible there
NAV exist little attenuated air close
on the surface, or in the interior Of
some of the deep craters which abound
on her surface.
The most noteworthy characteristic
of the lunar landscape is its crater
form structure. which becomes obvious
when submitted to the scrutiny of any
small telescope. The most suitable
period to observe these appearances is
when the moon is in crescent form. At
the time OF the full the effect is oblitera-
ted by the glare, and the shadows Of
the mountains and high walls sur
rounding the craters have disappeared
under the vertical sun. Some idea may
perhaps be formed OF the number Of
craters existing on the surface of our
satellite when it is stated that a recent
Unpublished chart of the surface in
cludes more than 81, 900 such objects.
Some of these are of enormous dimen-
sions, but for the most part they are
minute objects. only discernible with
good instruments.
There is little analogy exhibited
between the features Of the earth and
the moon. The disk of the latter pre-
sents more the appearance of a aprecipi-
tous, cavernous globe, formerly the
seat of extraordinary commissions il the
form of volcanic action, than of q
planet suitable for the sustenance of
animate Irea lures.
Turned to the sun direct, her spotted disk
Shows mountains rise, outrageous dales de-
scend,
And caverns deep, as optic tube describes.
The absolute freedom of the moon
from turbulent atmospheric vapors has
originated the idea of serenity with
which we are accustomed to regard
her appearance in the armament, but,
when we come to look closely into her
constituent features, we see at once
that she presents the aspect of q globe
which has passed through many yicissi.
tudes and changes, and has now prob
ably reached stage OF inactivity and
exhaustion. The absence of an atmos-
phere and the fact that no certain in
stances of variation in any object on
her surface has ever been observed
support this view. But our satellite
is none the less interesting on this
account, for We discern in the wild and
broken character of her landscape the
emblems of phenomena of great i'm.
port, which must have affected her
condition in past ages. 1t is true the
nature of these phenomena is in great
measure involved in mystery. though
their effects are so strikingly apparent,
but the correct Interpretation Of them
will doubtless be ultimately achieved
as more observers apply themselves to
this attractive branch of astronomy,
and endeavor to search out, with appli-
ances of greater capacity than any
other hitherto constructed, the mean
ing of SO weird and varied q con-
figuration. - Bristol (England) Mer-
clrU.