The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-04-15
times larger than the area OF the moon

Il
as presented to us.
| For the purpose OF the terrestrial as
1 tronomer. 1t fortunately happens that
| the moon Is almost entirely destitute
| Of atmosphere. The features of its sur
| face are consequently never obscured
by any of those causes which would
tend to hide the features of the earth
from outside scrutiny. Whenever the
clouds on our globe are out of the way
II Is then possible to observe the moon
with but little obstruction. If we also
remember that many of the features of
our satellite are within reach of a teles-
cope of comparatively moderate power.
it will not be surprising that the lunar
scenery has attracted 50 much attention
and that thousands of minute features
on its surface have been carefully ideu-
tilted. In some cases accomplished OBJ
servers have devoted themselves with
praiseworthy assiduity to the detailed
examination of special minute parts on
the surface.
1t would be impossible to enumerate
all the astronomers of recent times
whose labors have been directed to the
study Of the lunar scenery. may,
however, here mention q few names.
adding the remark that there are doubt
less many others whose valuable labors
could not be overlooked II ii had been
possible to give more complete ac-
count OF the subject than would be
practicable within the limits of the pres
ent article.
FIRST l must mention Mr.. Nasmyth.
who was at once famous mechanical
engineer, n skillful artist and q devoted
student of the stars. He employed his
well-earncd leisure in the study OF celes-
tial objects. and he devoted especial nj
tention to the moon. The work which
ne produced in conjunction with Mr..
Carpenter is n standard authority on
the lunar scenery, and Is perhaps one of
the most beautifully illustrated books
that has ever been devoted to the sub
ject of the heavens. l must also refer
to Professor Holden and other distin-
guished astronomers at the Lick Obser-
vatory, on the top OF Mount Hamilton,
in California. They have applied their
resources TO the Photography of the
moon with remarkable success. and
some OF their pictures OF our satellite
have formed the basis upon which Doc
tor Weinek has produced exquisite draw
ings of the lunar features.
AS, perhaps, the latest book on the
topography of the moon, may mention
the elaborate work by Mr. Thomas
Gwyn ElEer. who Is himself one of the
most assiduous of lunar observers. He
has collected together the most interest
Ing facts relative to the Topography of
the various authorities / have named
for Information which / am utilizing in
the present paper.
FEATURES OF THE MOONS SUR.
FACE.
When we look up at the full moon
even without ealing the telescope to our
AID, we at once notice the presenca OF
number of large dark patches. 1t is
certainly true that there are no sheets
OF water. nor anything like water, al
present visible on the moon. even with
the highest powers of our telescope. Ir
fact, there are sound physical reasons
why 1t does not seem the least likely
that there could be any water In the
fluid form present in our satellite. Al
the same time, the appearance of these
dark spots in days before telescopes
We're employed, suggested that these OBJ.
Jects were basins of water, and accord
ingly they were anciently called seas
In modern days astronomers have
somewhat awkwardly retained this
name, or its Latin equivalent, to desig-
nate these particularly dark tracts, not.
WithStandng the absence Of water