The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-22

this extreme heat, but II reflects a certain
amount thereof upon the earth. And this
Is not all; the moon gives out heat by
which it has itself been warmed. Nor must
these two effects of reflected and radiated
heat be COMPOUNDED. The distinction be-
tween them may be illustrated in the fol-
lowing manner. II, on a bright summer
day we take piece of smooth, but not
too well polished metal. and by means
Of 1t reflect the suns light upon the face,
a sensation Of heat will be experienced.
which is reflected sun heat, but il we
walt while still holding the metal as des
scribed, until 1t has become quite hot
under the solar rays. we feel a sensation
Of heat from the mere proximity OF the
plate to the face. even when 1t Ia held SO
as not to reflect sun heat. There can be
produced, by this experiment. first. re-
Elected heat alone before the metal has
grown hot; next. the heat which the metal
gives cut of itself when warmed by the
SUMS rays: and lastly. the two kinds Of
heat together, when the metal is caused
to reflect sun heat and also (being held
near the fact) to give out perceptible
quantity of its own warmth. 1t Is the last
stage of the experiment which produces
the same effect as the reflected and
radiated heat of the moon upon the earth's
surface.
But we must not think that the moon
adds materially to the heat Of the prezent
weather. The actual increase of tempera-
ture derived from the silyery Obj can lie
easily realized when We consider that if
the moon we're exactly as hot as boiling
water. we should receive from 1t just as
much heat as would be derived from q
small globe as hot as boiling water, SO
placed as to preserve the same ratio of size
and distance as the moon does to the Garth.
A disk of heated metal would serve equally
well in illustrating the same idea, and tn,
experiment may be very easily tried. An
English bronze half-penny is ex-ctIy one
inch In diameter, and as the moons aver
age distance is about Ill times her Gwn
diameter. a haif-penny at distance Of Ill
inches, or three yards and three inches,
will represent the ratio of size and distance
Of the moon in regard to the earth. Now let
the half-penEy be heated to the pitch Of
boiling water. and placed three yards three
inches from the observer, and he will ex-
perience for the few moments its heat re-
mains the same increase CT temperature
derived from the moon-by all MANKIND. 1t
will readily be seen, therefore, that we can
exonerate the beautiful queen OF night
from any completely in the fearful rising IN
the temperature lately.
"But If this small amount Of heat
derived from the moon be grateful to US in
summer, 1t is the reverse in winter. Just
think how little the cold of a winters Gay
would be relieved by the presence in a
room not otherwise warmed, Of one-inch
globe Of boiling water three yards away!
Perhaps. by. the way, the simplest expert
ment by which to determine the degree OF
heat we derive from the moon is by warm
ing the hands and holding them at dis
lance Of three feet from the face"
The astronomer was asked what he
thought of the results likely to be dis
closed by the great telescope lately mount
ed at Paris. and which. 1t is claimed,
brings the moon within sixty miles of the
eye of the spectator.
81 do not think" was the reply, that I
it will fulfill the expectations Of its pro-
iectors, or Of the public. The moon, as |
mentioned before, has no atmosphere, but |
the earth has, and this, with its refrac- |
tons, ETC., will be magniied ON such u |
scale that would suppose the view OBJ |
tained would be blurred and indistinct. |
Besides. the features Of the lunar lans-
scape are now so well known, and have |
been SO accurately determined. that sci
snce can scarcely expect any revelation |
If importance in that connection. 1t Is.
If course. positively known that there can
be no animal life, there. Together with |
he heat described, there alternates cold
more bitter than that Of our Arctic re-
yicns, Just as the surface of the Planet is
Tarfegated by alterations of the most daz-
fling light and profound shadow. the Iattes
,aused by the bare mountains and rocky
elevations that rise up, CHASTITY and abrupt,
rom the lifeless plains. To an inhabitant
II earth, accustomed to the myriad beau
iful atmospheric effects we experience.
his lunar landscape would appear nothing
hort NJ hidpnus''