The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1891-07-04
FACTS ABOUT THE MOON.
Some Popular Superstitio Done
Away With.
An Interesting Lecture on the Actions
and Appearance Of the Lunar Body
Its influence on the
Earth.

Prof. G. A. Young lately gave an in
teresting lecture on the moon III the as
Economical course which is being con-
Quoted under the auspices Of the uni
versity extension at Cooper Union.
The moon, in the first place, has
nothing whatever to do, the lecturer
said, with the changes in our weather.
He had known some farmers in the west
who would never plant a ''root CROP
except on the wane of the moon, while
a growing-up crop, like wheat or other
grain, he would always insist on plant
ing when the moon was waxing. These
notions, as well as those held by some
sea captains, that the wind would blow
for a week from the quarter in which
the change of the moon took place,
were, he declared, without the slightest
foundation.
The moon was an insignificant body
in herself. It was her proximity to the
earth thatgave her astronomical impor-
tance. At the same time her position
was unique among satellites. She was
by far the largest in proportion to her
planet of twenty or more satellites in
the solar system, being one-eightieth
the weight of the earth, while no Other:
satellite exceeded one thousandth of
the weight Of its planet.
In the peculiar motions taken by the
moon there were certain elements
which, the professor said, the law of
grayitation might not fully account
for. Astronomy would one day reach
the limit of an accurate provision aid
would reach the field where such ele-
ments of uncertainty would creep in as
the effect Of the human will. Speak
ing with exactitude, for instance, a man
could not build tall building on the
surface of the earth without lengthen-
ing the day by the change in the posi-
ton of matter involved. Such changes
as this when accumulated through long
periods must produce effects that would
make the astronomical problem very
difficult orle--in fact, an incompatible
| one--some day.
The heat that the moon sends had been
measured, ne said, and found to be
1-160, 900 Of that sent by the sun, while
the light was 100000 Of the sun light.
The 'tearth shine,' if we could observe
it from the surface of the moon, was
fourteen times as brilliant as that we
now saw from the moon, and from a
surface that was about four times as
barge as the full moon exposed TO us.
This brilliant light was reflected back
from the moon to us slightly, render
ing just visible that part Of the moon
in the shade at the time of the new
| moon.
The moon, said the professor, had no
| atmosphere to speak OF. Its surface
as shown by the slides was mass Of
circular volcanic craters Of peculiar
formation, but rent by mysterious ifs
sures which started from the crater of
| Tycho in all directions like the streaks
| on the skin Of an apple. These assures
were about half a mile in width and
extended into the body of the moon no.
body knows how far. They cut through
! craters and mountain chains in straight
lines and their explanation was not
vet. Some had attributed them tc the
congelation of the central mass like
| water frozen in a glass globe. Bits Of
| the mountain scenery OF the moon were
! thrown on the curtain and seemed very
unattractive. though evidently grand IL
| their very ugliness,