The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-07-12

of the moon eclipsing the sun the solar edge
slightly thrown back In two little points
Thollon observed the last eclipse also IN
Egypt. where it total, and noted thicken
ing of the rays OF the solar spectrum, appear
ing to indicate absorption due TO a light
lunar atmosphere.
have often observed, especially on that
part OF the moon to the north of the groove
OF Hyginus. lunar landscape we'll known
to selenographs a grayish tint indicating
variation Of the soil independent OF solar light
Besides, have observed a twilight effect
when studying the vast east plain of the sea
OF Serenity on the third day of lunation- The
dark spots on the moon. spoken Of as seas
are not, as we know, real watery expanses
but gray plains.
Well in that plain to the north, the irregu
lar circle of the Caucasus, and south, the chain
OF Menelas emerge like two luminous points
visible through an ordinary opera glass; The
lighted edge OF the plain is not cut of sharply
by an abrupt line separating the lighted coun.
try from that which is still in darkness, but
il melts gradually, as If the summit dropped
1t is a real penumbra. Calculation shows
that the solar disk should produce. by its
size. penumbra of so of the of the great
circle on the moon. which would be about ten
miles. But l have orlen observed much
larger penumbra.
The question of lunar atmosphere Is very
closely connected with that of volcanoes and
eruptions, attended they by vapor and
gases formed in some way. 1t seems if the
craters scattered all over the moon are not
active. and that they emit no vapors. But this
is too radical and premature statement.
William Herschel considered Aristarchus TO
he active stating in 1857 that 1t burned
with great briIliancy. lighting up all around
It, But there are other reasons for holding
that the moon is not dead star
dead star is one upon which there Is
no motion. no variation, an unmoving globe
but many instances may be cited to the con.
trary.
The crater Linnaeus has been proved by
latest observers to be subject to wide varia,
tons. possibly due to increase or diminution
of snow, and the double crater. Messier, has
changed greatly since it was SO carefully
guided between 1929 and 1897. The crater
Taquet disappeared altogether in 1911. accord.
ing to korn. although neighboring and lower
craters are still visible.
The observer notes variations dependent
upon the date of Elimination, but independent
of course, of those which are caused by the
variations OF solar lighting, which may be-
more or less obque. and concludes shat
under the action OF certain geological Dhe-
nomena, Of the exhalations of vapors escaping
from great ueptnS' the crater fs Masked
Staemmler writes that on January 25, 1912.
Taquet seemed TO him to be covered by a trans.
parent vapo- through which he could dimly
tho shadow OF the walls of the crater
What is the nature OF these emissions? Are
they geysers of water? Are they smoke!
Vapors Of carbonic acid? Jets OF pulverized
matter? No matter what 1t be that is thrown
up from the eruptive mouth. that which Is
thrown up only hides the crater from the earth.
ly observer, and this makes the examination
all the more difficult. Besides we see these
activities from great distance. The moon Ia