Thisshootingglobesuddenlyappearinginshadowatadistanceofatmost200miles，ought，accordingtoBarbicane，tohaveadiameterof2，000yards。Itadvancedataspeedofaboutonemileandahalfpersecond。Itcuttheprojectile\'spathandmustreachitinsomeminutes。Asitapproacheditgrewtoenormousproportions。
Imagine，ifpossible，thesituationofthetravelers！Itisimpossibletodescribeit。Inspiteoftheircourage，their_sang-froid_，theircarelessnessofdanger，theyweremute，motionlesswithstiffenedlimbs，apreytofrightfulterror。
Theirprojectile，thecourseofwhichtheycouldnotalter，wasrushingstraightonthisignitedmass，moreintensethantheopenmouthofanoven。Itseemedasthoughtheywerebeingprecipitatedtowardanabyssoffire。
Barbicanehadseizedthehandsofhistwocompanions，andallthreelookedthroughtheirhalf-openeyelidsuponthatasteroidheatedtoawhiteheat。Ifthoughtwasnotdestroyedwithinthem，iftheirbrainsstillworkedamidallthisawe，theymusthavegiventhemselvesupforlost。
Twominutesafterthesuddenappearanceofthemeteortothemtwocenturiesofanguishtheprojectileseemedalmostabouttostrikeit，whentheglobeoffireburstlikeabomb，butwithoutmakinganynoiseinthatvoidwheresound，whichisbuttheagitationofthelayersofair，couldnotbegenerated。
Nichollutteredacry，andheandhiscompanionsrushedtothescuttle。Whatasight！Whatpencandescribeit？
Whatpaletteisrichenoughincolorstoreproducesomagnificentaspectacle？
Itwasliketheopeningofacrater，likethescatteringofanimmenseconflagration。Thousandsofluminousfragmentslitupandirradiatedspacewiththeirfires。Everysize，everycolor，wasthereintermingled。Therewereraysofyellowandpaleyellow，red，green，gray——acrownoffireworksofallcolors。
Oftheenormousandmuch-dreadedglobethereremainednothingbutthesefragmentscarriedinalldirections，nowbecomeasteroidsintheirturn，someflaminglikeasword，somesurroundedbyawhitishcloud，andothersleavingbehindthemtrainsofbrilliantcosmicaldust。
Theseincandescentblockscrossedandstruckeachother，scatteringstillsmallerfragments，someofwhichstrucktheprojectile。Itsleftscuttlewasevencrackedbyaviolentshock。Itseemedtobefloatingamidahailofhowitzershells，thesmallestofwhichmightdestroyitinstantly。
Thelightwhichsaturatedtheetherwassowonderfullyintense，thatMichel，drawingBarbicaneandNicholltohiswindow，exclaimed，\"Theinvisiblemoon，visibleatlast！\"
Andthroughaluminousemanation，whichlastedsomeseconds，thewholethreecaughtaglimpseofthatmysteriousdiscwhichtheeyeofmannowsawforthefirsttime。Whatcouldtheydistinguishatadistancewhichtheycouldnotestimate？Somelengthenedbandsalongthedisc，realcloudsformedinthemidstofaveryconfinedatmosphere，fromwhichemergednotonlyallthemountains，butalsoprojectionsoflessimportance；itscircles，itsyawningcraters，ascapriciouslyplacedasonthevisiblesurface。
Thenimmensespaces，nolongeraridplains，butrealseas，oceans，widelydistributed，reflectingontheirliquidsurfaceallthedazzlingmagicofthefiresofspace；and，lastly，onthesurfaceofthecontinents，largedarkmasses，lookinglikeimmenseforestsundertherapidilluminationofabrilliance。
Wasitanillusion，amistake，anopticalillusion？Couldtheygiveascientificassenttoanobservationsosuperficiallyobtained？
Daredtheypronounceuponthequestionofitshabitabilityaftersoslightaglimpseoftheinvisibledisc？
Butthelightningsinspacesubsidedbydegrees；itsaccidentalbrilliancydiedaway；theasteroidsdispersedindifferentdirectionsandwereextinguishedinthedistance。
Theetherreturnedtoitsaccustomeddarkness；thestars，eclipsedforamoment，againtwinkledinthefirmament，andthedisc，sohastilydiscerned，wasagainburiedinimpenetrablenight。
CHAPTERXVI
THESOUTHERNHEMISPHERE
Theprojectilehadjustescapedaterribledanger，andaveryunforseenone。Whowouldhavethoughtofsuchanencounterwithmeteors？Theseerringbodiesmightcreateseriousperilsforthetravelers。Theyweretothemsomanysandbanksuponthatseaofetherwhich，lessfortunatethansailors，theycouldnotescape。Butdidtheseadventurerscomplainofspace？No，notsincenaturehadgiventhemthesplendidsightofacosmicalmeteorburstingfromexpansion，sincethisinimitablefirework，whichnoRuggiericouldimitate，hadlitupforsomesecondstheinvisiblegloryofthemoon。Inthatflash，continents，seas，andforestshadbecomevisibletothem。Didanatmosphere，then，bringtothisunknownfaceitslife-givingatoms？
Questionsstillinsoluble，andforeverclosedagainsthumancuriousity！
Itwasthenhalf-pastthreeintheafternoon。Theprojectilewasfollowingitscurvilineardirectionroundthemoon。Haditscourseagainbeenalteredbythemeteor？Itwastobefearedso。
Buttheprojectilemustdescribeacurveunalterablydeterminedbythelawsofmechanicalreasoning。Barbicanewasinclinedtobelievethatthiscurvewouldberatheraparabolathanahyperbola。
Butadmittingtheparabola，theprojectilemustquicklyhavepassedthroughtheconeofshadowprojectedintospaceoppositethesun。Thiscone，indeed，isverynarrow，theangulardiameterofthemoonbeingsolittlewhencomparedwiththediameteroftheorbofday；anduptothistimetheprojectilehadbeenfloatinginthisdeepshadow。Whateverhadbeenitsspeedanditcouldnothavebeeninsignificant，itsperiodofoccultationcontinued。Thatwasevident，butperhapsthatwouldnothavebeenthecaseinasupposedlyrigidlyparabolicaltrajectory——anewproblemwhichtormentedBarbicane\'sbrain，imprisonedashewasinacircleofunknownswhichhecouldnotunravel。
Neitherofthetravelersthoughtoftakinganinstant\'srepose。
Eachonewatchedforanunexpectedfact，whichmightthrowsomenewlightontheiruranographicstudies。Aboutfiveo\'clock，MichelArdandistributed，underthenameofdinner，somepiecesofbreadandcoldmeat，whichwerequicklyswallowedwithouteitherofthemabandoningtheirscuttle，theglassofwhichwasincessantlyencrustedbythecondensationofvapor。
Aboutforty-fiveminutespastfiveintheevening，Nicholl，armedwithhisglass，sightedtowardthesouthernborderofthemoon，andinthedirectionfollowedbytheprojectile，somebrightpointscutuponthedarkshieldofthesky。Theylookedlikeasuccessionofsharppointslengthenedintoatremulousline。
Theywereverybright。Suchappearedtheterminallineofthemoonwheninoneofheroctants。
Theycouldnotbemistaken。Itwasnolongerasimplemeteor。
Thisluminousridgehadneithercolornormotion。Norwasitavolcanoineruption。AndBarbicanedidnothesitatetopronounceuponit。
\"Thesun！\"heexclaimed。
\"What！thesun？\"answeredNichollandMichelArdan。
\"Yes，myfriends，itistheradiantorbitselflightingupthesummitofthemountainssituatedonthesouthernbordersofthemoon。Weareevidentlynearingthesouthpole。\"
\"Afterhavingpassedthenorthpole，\"repliedMichel。\"Wehavemadethecircuitofoursatellite，then？\"
\"Yes，mygoodMichel。\"
\"Then，nomorehyperbolas，nomoreparabolas，nomoreopencurvestofear？\"
\"No，butaclosedcurve。\"
\"Whichiscalled——\"
\"Anellipse。Insteadoflosingitselfininterplanetaryspace，itisprobablethattheprojectilewilldescribeanellipticalorbitaroundthemoon。\"
\"Indeed！\"
\"Andthatitwillbecome_her_satellite。\"
\"Moonofthemoon！\"criedMichelArdan。
\"Only，Iwouldhaveyouobserve，myworthyfriend，\"repliedBarbicane，\"thatwearenonethelesslostforthat。\"
\"Yes，inanothermanner，andmuchmorepleasantly，\"answeredthecarelessFrenchmanwithhismostamiablesmile。
CHAPTERXVII
TYCHO
Atsixintheeveningtheprojectilepassedthesouthpoleatlessthanfortymilesoff，adistanceequaltothatalreadyreachedatthenorthpole。Theellipticalcurvewasbeingrigidlycarriedout。
Atthismomentthetravelersoncemoreenteredtheblessedraysofthesun。Theysawoncemorethosestarswhichmoveslowlyfromeasttowest。Theradiantorbwassalutedbyatriplehurrah。
Withitslightitalsosentheat，whichsoonpiercedthemetalwalls。
Theglassresumeditsaccustomedappearance。Thelayersoficemeltedasifbyenchantment；andimmediately，foreconomy\'ssake，thegaswasputout，theairapparatusaloneconsumingitsusualquantity。
\"Ah！\"saidNicholl，\"theseraysofheataregood。WithwhatimpatiencemusttheSeleniteswaitthereappearanceoftheorbofday。\"
\"Yes，\"repliedMichelArdan，\"imbibingasitwerethebrilliantether，lightandheat，alllifeiscontainedinthem。\"
Atthismomentthebottomoftheprojectiledeviatedsomewhatfromthelunarsurface，inordertofollowtheslightlylengthenedellipticalorbit。Fromthispoint，hadtheearthbeenatthefull，Barbicaneandhiscompanionscouldhaveseenit，butimmersedinthesun\'sirradiationshewasquiteinvisible。Anotherspectacleattractedtheirattention，thatofthesouthernpartofthemoon，broughtbytheglassestowithin450yards。Theydidnotagainleavethescuttles，andnotedeverydetailofthisfantasticalcontinent。
MountsDoerfulandLeibnitzformedtwoseparategroupsverynearthesouthpole。Thefirstgroupextendedfromthepoletotheeighty-fourthparallel，ontheeasternpartoftheorb；thesecondoccupiedtheeasternborder，extendingfromthe65@oflatitudetothepole。
Ontheircapriciouslyformedridgeappeareddazzlingsheets，asmentionedbyPereSecchi。WithmorecertaintythantheillustriousRomanastronomer，Barbicanewasenabledtorecognizetheirnature。
\"Theyaresnow，\"heexclaimed。
\"Snow？\"repeatedNicholl。
\"Yes，Nicholl，snow；thesurfaceofwhichisdeeplyfrozen。
Seehowtheyreflecttheluminousrays。Cooledlavawouldnevergiveoutsuchintensereflection。Theremustthenbewater，theremustbeaironthemoon。Aslittleasyouplease，butthefactcannolongerbecontested。\"No，itcouldnotbe。AndifeverBarbicaneshouldseetheearthagain，hisnoteswillbearwitnesstothisgreatfactinhisselenographicobservations。
ThesemountainsofDoerfulandLeibnitzroseinthemidstofplainsofamediumextent，whichwereboundedbyanindefinitesuccessionofcirclesandannularramparts。Thesetwochainsaretheonlyonesmetwithinthisregionofcircles。
Comparativelybutslightlymarked，theythrowuphereandtheresomesharppoints，thehighestsummitofwhichattainsanaltitudeof24，600feet。
Buttheprojectilewashighaboveallthislandscape，andtheprojectionsdisappearedintheintensebrilliancyofthedisc。
Andtotheeyesofthetravelerstherereappearedthatoriginalaspectofthelunarlandscapes，rawintone，withoutgradationofcolors，andwithoutdegreesofshadow，roughlyblackandwhite，fromthewantofdiffusionoflight。
Butthesightofthisdesolateworlddidnotfailtocaptivatethembyitsverystrangeness。Theyweremovingoverthisregionasiftheyhadbeenborneonthebreathofsomestorm，watchingheightsdefileundertheirfeet，piercingthecavitieswiththeireyes，goingdownintotherifts，climbingtheramparts，soundingthesemysteriousholes，andlevelingallcracks。Butnotraceofvegetation，noappearanceofcities；nothingbutstratification，bedsoflava，overflowingspolishedlikeimmensemirrors，reflectingthesun\'srayswithoverpoweringbrilliancy。
Nothingbelongingtoa_living_world——everythingtoadeadworld，whereavalanches，rollingfromthesummitsofthemountains，woulddispersenoiselesslyatthebottomoftheabyss，retainingthemotion，butwantingthesound。Inanycaseitwastheimageofdeath，withoutitsbeingpossibleeventosaythatlifehadeverexistedthere。
MichelArdan，however，thoughtherecognizedaheapofruins，towhichhedrewBarbicane\'sattention。Itwasaboutthe80thparallel，in30@longitude。Thisheapofstones，ratherregularlyplaced，representedavastfortress，overlookingalongrift，whichinformerdayshadservedasabedtotheriversofprehistoricaltimes。Notfarfromthat，rosetoaheightof17，400feettheannularmountainofShort，equaltotheAsiaticCaucasus。MichelArdan，withhisaccustomedardor，maintained\"theevidences\"ofhisfortress。Beneathithediscernedthedismantledrampartsofatown；herethestillintactarchofaportico，theretwoorthreecolumnslyingundertheirbase；fartheron，asuccessionofarcheswhichmusthavesupportedtheconduitofanaqueduct；inanotherpartthesunkenpillarsofagiganticbridge，runintothethickestpartsoftherift。Hedistinguishedallthis，butwithsomuchimaginationinhisglance，andthroughglassessofantastical，thatwemustmistrusthisobservation。Butwhocouldaffirm，whowoulddaretosay，thattheamiablefellowdidnotreallyseethatwhichhistwocompanionswouldnotsee？
Momentsweretooprecioustobesacrificedinidlediscussion。
Theselenitecity，whetherimaginaryornot，hadalreadydisappearedafaroff。Thedistanceoftheprojectilefromthelunardiscwasontheincrease，andthedetailsofthesoilwerebeinglostinaconfusedjumble。Thereliefs，thecircles，thecraters，andtheplainsaloneremained，andstillshowedtheirboundarylinesdistinctly。Atthismoment，totheleft，layextendedoneofthefinestcirclesoflunarorography，oneofthecuriositiesofthiscontinent。ItwasNewton，whichBarbicanerecognizedwithouttrouble，byreferringtothe_MappaSelenographica_。
Newtonissituatedinexactly77@southlatitude，and16@
eastlongitude。Itformsanannularcrater，therampartsofwhich，risingtoaheightof21，300feet，seemedtobeimpassable。
Barbicanemadehiscompanionsobservethattheheightofthismountainabovethesurroundingplainwasfarfromequalingthedepthofitscrater。Thisenormousholewasbeyondallmeasurement，andformedagloomyabyss，thebottomofwhichthesun\'srayscouldneverreach。There，accordingtoHumboldt，reignsutterdarkness，whichthelightofthesunandtheearthcannotbreak。Mythologistscouldwellhavemadeitthemouthofhell。
\"Newton，\"saidBarbicane，\"isthemostperfecttypeoftheseannularmountains，ofwhichtheearthpossessesnosample。
Theyprovethatthemoon\'sformation，bymeansofcooling，isduetoviolentcauses；forwhile，underthepressureofinternalfiresthereliefsrisetoconsiderableheight，thedepthswithdrawfarbelowthelunarlevel。\"
\"Idonotdisputethefact，\"repliedMichelArdan。
SomeminutesafterpassingNewton，theprojectiledirectlyoverlookedtheannularmountainsofMoret。ItskirtedatsomedistancethesummitsofBlancanus，andatabouthalf-pastsevenintheeveningreachedthecircleofClavius。
Thiscircle，oneofthemostremarkableofthedisc，issituatedin58@southlatitude，and15@eastlongitude。Itsheightisestimatedat22，950feet。Thetravelers，atadistanceoftwenty-fourmilesreducedtofourbytheirglassescouldadmirethisvastcraterinitsentirety。
\"Terrestrialvolcanoes，\"saidBarbicane，\"arebutmole-hillscomparedwiththoseofthemoon。MeasuringtheoldcratersformedbythefirsteruptionsofVesuviusandEtna，wefindthemlittlemorethanthreemilesinbreadth。InFrancethecircleofCantalmeasuressixmilesacross；atCeylandthecircleoftheislandisfortymiles，whichisconsideredthelargestontheglobe。WhatarethesediametersagainstthatofClavius，whichweoverlookatthismoment？\"
\"Whatisitsbreadth？\"askedNicholl。
\"Itis150miles，\"repliedBarbicane。\"Thiscircleiscertainlythemostimportantonthemoon，butmanyothersmeasure150，100，or75miles。\"
\"Ah！myfriends，\"exclaimedMichel，\"canyoupicturetoyourselveswhatthisnowpeacefulorbofnightmusthavebeenwhenitscraters，filledwiththunderings，vomitedatthesametimesmokeandtonguesofflame。Whatawonderfulspectaclethen，andnowwhatdecay！Thismoonisnothingmorethanathincarcaseoffireworks，whosesquibs，rockets，serpents，andsuns，afterasuperbbrilliancy，haveleftbutsadlybrokencases。
Whocansaythecause，thereason，themotiveforceofthesecataclysms？\"
BarbicanewasnotlisteningtoMichelArdan；hewascontemplatingtheserampartsofClavius，formedbylargemountainsspreadoverseveralmiles。Atthebottomoftheimmensecavityburrowedhundredsofsmallextinguishedcraters，riddlingthesoillikeacolander，andoverlookedbyapeak15，000feethigh。
Aroundtheplainappeareddesolate。Nothingsoaridasthesereliefs，nothingsosadastheseruinsofmountains，andifwemaysoexpressourselvesthesefragmentsofpeaksandmountainswhichstrewedthesoil。Thesatelliteseemedtohaveburstatthisspot。
Theprojectilewasstilladvancing，andthismovementdidnotsubside。Circles，craters，anduprootedmountainssucceededeachotherincessantly。Nomoreplains；nomoreseas。AneverendingSwitzerlandandNorway。Andlastly，inthecanterofthisregionofcrevasses，themostsplendidmountainonthelunardisc，thedazzlingTycho，inwhichposteritywilleverpreservethenameoftheillustriousDanishastronomer。
Inobservingthefullmooninacloudlessskynoonehasfailedtoremarkthisbrilliantpointofthesouthernhemisphere。
MichelArdanusedeverymetaphorthathisimaginationcouldsupplytodesignateitby。TohimthisTychowasafocusoflight，acenterofirradiation，acratervomitingrays。Itwasthetireofabrilliantwheel，an_asteria_enclosingthediscwithitssilvertentacles，anenormouseyefilledwithflames，aglorycarvedforPluto\'shead，astarlaunchedbytheCreator\'shand，andcrushedagainstthefaceofthemoon！
Tychoformssuchaconcentrationoflightthattheinhabitantsoftheearthcanseeitwithoutglasses，thoughatadistanceof240，000miles！Imagine，then，itsintensitytotheeyeofobserversplacedatadistanceofonlyfiftymiles！Seenthroughthispureether，itsbrilliancywassointolerablethatBarbicaneandhisfriendswereobligedtoblackentheirglasseswiththegassmokebeforetheycouldbearthesplendor。Thensilent，scarcelyutteringaninterjectionofadmiration，theygazed，theycontemplated。
Alltheirfeelings，alltheirimpressions，wereconcentratedinthatlook，asunderanyviolentemotionalllifeisconcentratedattheheart。
Tychobelongstothesystemofradiatingmountains，likeAristarchusandCopernicus；butitisofallthemostcompleteanddecided，showingunquestionablythefrightfulvolcanicactiontowhichtheformationofthemoonisdue。Tychoissituatedin43@southlatitude，and12@eastlongitude。Itscenterisoccupiedbyacraterfiftymilesbroad。Itassumesaslightlyellipticalform，andissurroundedbyanenclosureofannularramparts，whichontheeastandwestoverlooktheouterplainfromaheightof15，000feet。ItisagroupofMontBlancs，placedroundonecommoncenterandcrownedbyradiatingbeams。
Whatthisincomparablemountainreallyis，withalltheprojectionsconvergingtowardit，andtheinteriorexcrescencesofitscrater，photographyitselfcouldneverrepresent。
Indeed，itisduringthefullmoonthatTychoisseeninallitssplendor。Thenallshadowsdisappear，theforeshorteningofperspectivedisappears，andallproofsbecomewhite——adisagreeablefact:forthisstrangeregionwouldhavebeenmarvelousifreproducedwithphotographicexactness。Itisbutagroupofhollows，craters，circles，anetworkofcrests；
then，asfarastheeyecouldsee，awholevolcanicnetworkcastuponthisencrustedsoil。Onecanthenunderstandthatthebubblesofthiscentraleruptionhavekepttheirfirstform。
Crystallizedbycooling，theyhavestereotypedthataspectwhichthemoonformerlypresentedwhenunderthePlutonianforces。
ThedistancewhichseparatedthetravelersfromtheannularsummitsofTychowasnotsogreatbutthattheycouldcatchtheprincipaldetails。EvenonthecausewayformingthefortificationsofTycho，themountainshangingontotheinteriorandexteriorslopingflanksroseinstorieslikegiganticterraces。Theyappearedtobehigherby300or400
feettothewestthantotheeast。Nosystemofterrestrialencampmentcouldequalthesenaturalfortifications。Atownbuiltatthebottomofthiscircularcavitywouldhavebeenutterlyinaccessible。
Inaccessibleandwonderfullyextendedoverthissoilcoveredwithpicturesqueprojections！Indeed，naturehadnotleftthebottomofthiscraterflatandempty。Itpossesseditsownpeculiarorography，amountainoussystem，makingitaworldinitself。Thetravelerscoulddistinguishclearlycones，centralhills，remarkablepositionsofthesoil，naturallyplacedtoreceivethe_chefs-d\'oeuvre_ofSelenitearchitecture。
Therewasmarkedouttheplaceforatemple，herethegroundofaforum，onthisspottheplanofapalace，inanothertheplateauforacitadel；thewholeoverlookedbyacentralmountainof1，500feet。Avastcircle，inwhichancientRomecouldhavebeenheldinitsentiretytentimesover。
\"Ah！\"exclaimedMichelArdan，enthusiasticatthesight；\"whatagrandtownmightbeconstructedwithinthatringofmountains！
Aquietcity，apeacefulrefuge，beyondallhumanmisery。Howcalmandisolatedthosemisanthropes，thosehatersofhumanitymightlivethere，andallwhohaveadistasteforsociallife！\"
\"All！Itwouldbetoosmallforthem，\"repliedBarbicanesimply。
CHAPTERXVIII
GRAVEQUESTIONS
Buttheprojectilehadpassedthe_enceinte_ofTycho，andBarbicaneandhistwocompanionswatchedwithscrupulousattentionthebrilliantrayswhichthecelebratedmountainshedsocuriouslyoverthehorizon。
Whatwasthisradiantglory？Whatgeologicalphenomenonhaddesignedtheseardentbeams？ThisquestionoccupiedBarbicane\'smind。
Underhiseyesraninalldirectionsluminousfurrows，raisedattheedgesandconcaveinthecenter，sometwelvemiles，othersthirtymilesbroad。Thesebrillianttrainsextendedinsomeplacestowithin600milesofTycho，andseemedtocover，particularlytowardtheeast，thenortheastandthenorth，thehalfofthesouthernhemisphere。OneofthesejetsextendedasfarasthecircleofNeander，situatedonthe40thmeridian。
Another，byaslightcurve，furrowedthe\"SeaofNectar，\"breakingagainstthechainofPyrenees，afteracircuitof800miles。
Others，towardthewest，coveredthe\"SeaofClouds\"andthe\"SeaofHumors\"withaluminousnetwork。Whatwastheoriginofthesesparklingrays，whichshoneontheplainsaswellasonthereliefs，atwhateverheighttheymightbe？
Allstartedfromacommoncenter，thecraterofTycho。
Theysprangfromhim。Herschelattributedtheirbrilliancytocurrentsoflavacongealedbythecold；anopinion，however，whichhasnotbeengenerallyadopted。Otherastronomershaveseenintheseinexplicableraysakindofmoraines，rowsoferraticblocks，whichhadbeenthrownupattheperiodofTycho\'sformation。
\"Andwhynot？\"askedNichollofBarbicane，whowasrelatingandrejectingthesedifferentopinions。
\"Becausetheregularityoftheseluminouslines，andtheviolencenecessarytocarryvolcanicmattertosuchdistances，isinexplicable。\"
\"Eh！byJove！\"repliedMichelArdan，\"itseemseasyenoughtometoexplaintheoriginoftheserays。\"
\"Indeed？\"saidBarbicane。
\"Indeed，\"continuedMichel。\"Itisenoughtosaythatitisavaststar，similartothatproducedbyaballorastonethrownatasquareofglass！\"
\"Well！\"repliedBarbicane，smiling。\"Andwhathandwouldbepowerfulenoughtothrowaballtogivesuchashockasthat？\"
\"Thehandisnotnecessary，\"answeredNicholl，notatallconfounded；\"andastothestone，letussupposeittobeacomet。\"
\"Ah！thosemuch-abusedcomets！\"exclaimedBarbicane。\"MybraveMichel，yourexplanationisnotbad；butyourcometisuseless。
Theshockwhichproducedthatrentmusthavesomefromtheinsideofthestar。Aviolentcontractionofthelunarcrust，whilecooling，mightsufficetoimprintthisgiganticstar。\"
\"Acontraction！somethinglikealunarstomach-ache。\"saidMichelArdan。
\"Besides，\"addedBarbicane，\"thisopinionisthatofanEnglishsavant，Nasmyth，anditseemstometosufficientlyexplaintheradiationofthesemountains。\"
\"ThatNasmythwasnofool！\"repliedMichel。
Longdidthetravelers，whomsuchasightcouldneverweary，admirethesplendorsofTycho。Theirprojectile，saturatedwithluminousgleamsinthedoubleirradiationofsunandmoon，musthaveappearedlikeanincandescentglobe。Theyhadpassedsuddenlyfromexcessivecoldtointenseheat。NaturewasthuspreparingthemtobecomeSelenites。BecomeSelenites！Thatideabroughtuponcemorethequestionofthehabitabilityofthemoon。
Afterwhattheyhadseen，couldthetravelerssolveit？Wouldtheydecidefororagainstit？MichelArdanpersuadedhistwofriendstoformanopinion，andaskedthemdirectlyiftheythoughtthatmenandanimalswererepresentedinthelunarworld。
\"Ithinkthatwecananswer，\"saidBarbicane；\"butaccordingtomyideathequestionoughtnottobeputinthatform。Iaskittobeputdifferently。\"
\"Putityourownway，\"repliedMichel。
\"Hereitis，\"continuedBarbicane。\"Theproblemisadoubleone，andrequiresadoublesolution。Isthemoon_habitable_？Hasthemooneverbeen_inhabitable_？\"
\"Good！\"repliedNicholl。\"Firstletusseewhetherthemoonishabitable。\"
\"Totellthetruth，Iknownothingaboutit，\"answeredMichel。
\"AndIanswerinthenegative，\"continuedBarbicane。\"Inheractualstate，withhersurroundingatmospherecertainlyverymuchreduced，herseasforthemostpartdriedup，herinsufficientsupplyofwaterrestricted，vegetation，suddenalternationsofcoldandheat，herdaysandnightsof354
hours——themoondoesnotseemhabitabletome，nordoessheseempropitioustoanimaldevelopment，norsufficientforthewantsofexistenceasweunderstandit。\"
\"Agreed，\"repliedNicholl。\"Butisnotthemoonhabitableforcreaturesdifferentlyorganizedfromourselves？\"
\"Thatquestionismoredifficulttoanswer，butIwilltry；andIaskNichollif_motion_appearstohimtobeanecessaryresultof_life_，whateverbeitsorganization？\"
\"Withoutadoubt！\"answeredNicholl。
\"Then，myworthycompanion，Iwouldanswerthatwehaveobservedthelunarcontinentatadistanceof500yardsatmost，andthatnothingseemedtoustomoveonthemoon\'ssurface。Thepresenceofanykindoflifewouldhavebeenbetrayedbyitsattendantmarks，suchasdiversbuildings，andevenbyruins。Andwhathaveweseen？Everywhereandalwaysthegeologicalworksofnature，nevertheworkofman。If，then，thereexistrepresentativesoftheanimalkingdomonthemoon，theymusthavefledtothoseunfathomablecavitieswhichtheeyecannotreach；whichIcannotadmit，fortheymusthavelefttracesoftheirpassageonthoseplainswhichtheatmospheremustcover，howeverslightlyraiseditmaybe。Thesetracesarenowherevisible。Thereremainsbutonehypothesis，thatofalivingracetowhichmotion，whichislife，isforeign。\"
\"Onemightaswellsay，livingcreatureswhichdonotlive，\"
repliedMichel。
\"Justso，\"saidBarbicane，\"whichforushasnomeaning。\"
\"Thenwemayformouropinion？\"saidMichel。
\"Yes，\"repliedNicholl。
\"Verywell，\"continuedMichelArdan，\"theScientificCommissionassembledintheprojectileoftheGunClub，afterhavingfoundedtheirargumentonfactsrecentlyobserved，decideunanimouslyuponthequestionofthehabitabilityofthemoon——
`_No！_themoonisnothabitable。\'\"
ThisdecisionwasconsignedbyPresidentBarbicanetohisnotebook，wheretheprocessofthesittingofthe6thofDecembermaybeseen。
\"Now，\"saidNicholl，\"letusattackthesecondquestion，anindispensablecomplementofthefirst。Iaskthehonorablecommission，ifthemoonisnothabitable，hassheeverbeeninhabited，CitizenBarbicane？\"
\"Myfriends，\"repliedBarbicane，\"Ididnotundertakethisjourneyinordertoformanopiniononthepasthabitabilityofoursatellite；butIwilladdthatourpersonalobservationsonlyconfirmmeinthisopinion。Ibelieve，indeedIaffirm，thatthemoonhasbeeninhabitedbyahumanraceorganizedlikeourown；thatshehasproducedanimalsanatomicallyformedliketheterrestrialanimals:butIaddthattheseraces，humanandanimal，havehadtheirday，andarenowforeverextinct！\"
\"Then，\"askedMichel，\"themoonmustbeolderthantheearth？\"
\"No！\"saidBarbicanedecidedly，\"butaworldwhichhasgrownoldquicker，andwhoseformationanddeformationhavebeenmorerapid。
Relatively，theorganizingforceofmatterhasbeenmuchmoreviolentintheinteriorofthemoonthanintheinterioroftheterrestrialglobe。Theactualstateofthiscracked，twisted，andburstdiscabundantlyprovesthis。Themoonandtheearthwerenothingbutgaseousmassesoriginally。Thesegaseshavepassedintoaliquidstateunderdifferentinfluences，andthesolidmasseshavebeenformedlater。Butmostcertainlyourspherewasstillgaseousorliquid，whenthemoonwassolidifiedbycooling，andhadbecomehabitable。\"
\"Ibelieveit，\"saidNicholl。
\"Then，\"continuedBarbicane，\"anatmospheresurroundedit，thewaterscontainedwithinthisgaseousenvelopecouldnotevaporate。
Undertheinfluenceofair，water，light，solarheat，andcentralheat，vegetationtookpossessionofthecontinentspreparedtoreceiveit，andcertainlylifeshoweditselfaboutthisperiod，fornaturedoesnotexpendherselfinvain；andaworldsowonderfullyformedforhabitationmustnecessarilybeinhabited。\"
\"But，\"saidNicholl，\"manyphenomenainherentinoursatellitemightcramptheexpansionoftheanimalandvegetablekingdom。
Forexample，itsdaysandnightsof354hours？\"
\"Attheterrestrialpolestheylastsixmonths，\"saidMichel。
\"Anargumentoflittlevalue，sincethepolesarenotinhabited。\"
\"Letusobserve，myfriends，\"continuedBarbicane，\"thatifintheactualstateofthemoonitslongnightsandlongdayscreateddifferencesoftemperatureinsupportabletoorganization，itwasnotsoatthehistoricalperiodoftime。
Theatmosphereenvelopedthediscwithafluidmantle；vapordepositeditselfintheshapeofclouds；thisnaturalscreentemperedtheardorofthesolarrays，andretainedthenocturnalradiation。Light，likeheat，candiffuseitselfintheair；henceanequalitybetweentheinfluenceswhichnolongerexists，nowthatatmospherehasalmostentirelydisappeared。
AndnowIamgoingtoastonishyou。\"
\"Astonishus？\"saidMichelArdan。
\"Ifirmlybelievethatattheperiodwhenthemoonwasinhabited，thenightsanddaysdidnotlast354hours！\"
\"Andwhy？\"askedNichollquickly。
\"Becausemostprobablythentherotarymotionofthemoonuponheraxiswasnotequaltoherrevolution，anequalitywhichpresentseachpartofherdiscduringfifteendaystotheactionofthesolarrays。\"
\"Granted，\"repliedNicholl，\"butwhyshouldnotthesetwomotionshavebeenequal，astheyarereallyso？\"
\"Becausethatequalityhasonlybeendeterminedbyterrestrialattraction。Andwhocansaythatthisattractionwaspowerfulenoughtoalterthemotionofthemoonatthatperiodwhentheearthwasstillfluid？\"
\"Justso，\"repliedNicholl；\"andwhocansaythatthemoonhasalwaysbeenasatelliteoftheearth？\"
\"Andwhocansay，\"exclaimedMichelArdan，\"thatthemoondidnotexistbeforetheearth？\"
Theirimaginationscarriedthemawayintoanindefinitefieldofhypothesis。Barbicanesoughttorestrainthem。
\"Thosespeculationsaretoohigh，\"saidhe；\"problemsutterlyinsoluble。Donotletusenteruponthem。Letusonlyadmittheinsufficiencyoftheprimordialattraction；andthenbytheinequalityofthetwomotionsofrotationandrevolution，thedaysandnightscouldhavesucceededeachotheronthemoonastheysucceedeachotherontheearth。Besides，evenwithouttheseconditions，lifewaspossible。\"
\"Andso，\"askedMichelArdan，\"humanityhasdisappearedfromthemoon？\"
\"Yes，\"repliedBarbicane，\"afterhavingdoubtlessremainedpersistentlyformillionsofcenturies；bydegreestheatmospherebecomingrarefied，thediscbecameuninhabitable，astheterrestrialglobewillonedaybecomebycooling。\"
\"Bycooling？\"
\"Certainly，\"repliedBarbicane；\"astheinternalfiresbecameextinguished，andtheincandescentmatterconcentrateditself，thelunarcrustcooled。Bydegreestheconsequencesofthesephenomenashowedthemselvesinthedisappearanceoforganizedbeings，andbythedisappearanceofvegetation。Soontheatmospherewasrarefied，probablywithdrawnbyterrestrialattraction；thenaerialdepartureofrespirableair，anddisappearanceofwaterbymeansofevaporation。Atthisperiodthemoonbecominguninhabitable，wasnolongerinhabited。
Itwasadeadworld，suchasweseeitto-day。\"
\"Andyousaythatthesamefateisinstorefortheearth？\"
\"Mostprobably。\"
\"Butwhen？\"
\"Whenthecoolingofitscrustshallhavemadeituninhabitable。\"
\"Andhavetheycalculatedthetimewhichourunfortunatespherewilltaketocool？\"
\"Certainly。\"
\"Andyouknowthesecalculations？\"
\"Perfectly。\"
\"Butspeak，then，myclumsysavant，\"exclaimedMichelArdan，\"foryoumakemeboilwithimpatience！\"
\"Verywell，mygoodMichel，\"repliedBarbicanequietly；\"weknowwhatdiminutionoftemperaturetheearthundergoesinthelapseofacentury。Andaccordingtocertaincalculations，thismeantemperaturewillafteraperiodof400，000years，bebroughtdowntozero！\"
\"Fourhundredthousandyears！\"exclaimedMichel。\"Ah！I
breatheagain。ReallyIwasfrightenedtohearyou；Iimaginedthatwehadnotmorethan50，000yearstolive。\"
BarbicaneandNichollcouldnothelplaughingattheircompanion\'suneasiness。ThenNicholl，whowishedtoendthediscussion，putthesecondquestion，whichhadjustbeenconsideredagain。
\"Hasthemoonbeeninhabited？\"heasked。
Theanswerwasunanimouslyintheaffirmative。Butduringthisdiscussion，fruitfulinsomewhathazardoustheories，theprojectilewasrapidlyleavingthemoon:thelineamentsfadedawayfromthetravelers\'eyes，mountainswereconfusedinthedistance；andofallthewonderful，strange，andfantasticalformoftheearth\'ssatellite，theresoonremainednothingbuttheimperishableremembrance。
CHAPTERXIX
ASTRUGGLEAGAINSTTHEIMPOSSIBLE
ForalongtimeBarbicaneandhiscompanionslookedsilentlyandsadlyuponthatworldwhichtheyhadonlyseenfromadistance，asMosessawthelandofCanaan，andwhichtheywereleavingwithoutapossibilityofeverreturningtoit。Theprojectile\'spositionwithregardtothemoonhadaltered，andthebasewasnowturnedtotheearth。
Thischange，whichBarbicaneverified，didnotfailtosurprisethem。
Iftheprojectilewastogravitateroundthesatelliteinanellipticalorbit，whywasnotitsheaviestpartturnedtowardit，asthemoonturnsherstotheearth？Thatwasadifficultpoint。
Inwatchingthecourseoftheprojectiletheycouldseethatonleavingthemoonitfollowedacourseanalogoustothattracedinapproachingher。Itwasdescribingaverylongellipse，whichwouldmostlikelyextendtothepointofequalattraction，wheretheinfluencesoftheearthanditssatelliteareneutralized。
SuchwastheconclusionwhichBarbicaneveryjustlydrewfromfactsalreadyobserved，aconvictionwhichhistwofriendssharedwithhim。
\"Andwhenarrivedatthisdeadpoint，whatwillbecomeofus？\"
askedMichelArdan。
\"Wedon\'tknow，\"repliedBarbicane。
\"Butonecandrawsomehypotheses，Isuppose？\"
\"Two，\"answeredBarbicane；\"eithertheprojectile\'sspeedwillbeinsufficient，anditwillremainforeverimmovableonthislineofdoubleattraction——\"
\"Iprefertheotherhypothesis，whateveritmaybe，\"interruptedMichel。
\"Or，\"continuedBarbicane，\"itsspeedwillbesufficient，anditwillcontinueitsellipticalcourse，togravitateforeveraroundtheorbofnight。\"
\"Arevolutionnotatallconsoling，\"saidMichel，\"topasstothestateofhumbleservantstoamoonwhomweareaccustomedtolookuponasourownhandmaid。Sothatisthefateinstoreforus？\"
NeitherBarbicanenorNichollanswered。
\"Youdonotanswer，\"continuedMichelimpatiently。
\"Thereisnothingtoanswer，\"saidNicholl。
\"Istherenothingtotry？\"
\"No，\"answeredBarbicane。\"Doyoupretendtofightagainsttheimpossible？\"
\"Whynot？DooneFrenchmanandtwoAmericansshrinkfromsuchaword？\"
\"Butwhatwouldyoudo？\"
\"Subduethismotionwhichisbearingusaway。\"
\"Subdueit？\"
\"Yes，\"continuedMichel，gettinganimated，\"orelsealterit，andemployittotheaccomplishmentofourownends。\"
\"Andhow？\"
\"Thatisyouraffair。Ifartillerymenarenotmastersoftheirprojectiletheyarenotartillerymen。Iftheprojectileistocommandthegunner，wehadbetterramthegunnerintothegun。
Myfaith！finesavants！whodonotknowwhatistobecomeofusafterinducingme——\"
\"Inducingyou！\"criedBarbicaneandNicholl。\"Inducingyou！
Whatdoyoumeanbythat？\"
\"Norecrimination，\"saidMichel。\"Idonotcomplain，thetriphaspleasedme，andtheprojectileagreeswithme；butletusdoallthatishumanlypossibletodothefallsomewhere，evenifonlyonthemoon。\"
\"Weasknobetter，myworthyMichel，\"repliedBarbicane，\"butmeansfailus。\"
\"Wecannotalterthemotionoftheprojectile？\"
\"No。\"
\"Nordiminishitsspeed？\"
\"No。\"
\"Notevenbylighteningit，astheylightenanoverloadedvessel？\"
\"Whatwouldyouthrowout？\"saidNicholl。\"Wehavenoballastonboard；andindeeditseemstomethatiflighteneditwouldgomuchquicker。\"
\"Slower。\"
\"Quicker。\"
\"Neitherslowernorquicker，\"saidBarbicane，wishingtomakehistwofriendsagree；\"forwefloatisspace，andmustnolongerconsiderspecificweight。\"
\"Verywell，\"criedMichelArdaninadecidedvoice；\"thentheirremainsbutonethingtodo。\"
\"Whatisit？\"askedNicholl。
\"Breakfast，\"answeredthecool，audaciousFrenchman，whoalwaysbroughtupthissolutionatthemostdifficultjuncture。
Inanycase，ifthisoperationhadnoinfluenceontheprojectile\'scourse，itcouldatleastbetriedwithoutinconvenience，andevenwithsuccessfromastomachicpointofview。CertainlyMichelhadnonebutgoodideas。
Theybreakfastedthenattwointhemorning；thehourmatteredlittle。
Michelservedhisusualrepast，crownedbyagloriousbottledrawnfromhisprivatecellar。Ifideasdidnotcrowdontheirbrains，wemustdespairoftheChambertinof1853。Therepastfinished，observationbeganagain。Aroundtheprojectile，ataninvariabledistance，weretheobjectswhichhadbeenthrownout。Evidently，initstranslatorymotionroundthemoon，ithadnotpassedthroughanyatmosphere，forthespecificweightofthesedifferentobjectswouldhavecheckedtheirrelativespeed。
Onthesideoftheterrestrialspherenothingwastobeseen。
Theearthwasbutadayold，havingbeennewthenightbeforeattwelve；andtwodaysmustelapsebeforeitscrescent，freedfromthesolarrays，wouldserveasaclocktotheSelenites，asinitsrotarymovementeachofitspointsaftertwenty-fourhoursrepassesthesamelunarmeridian。
Onthemoon\'ssidethesightwasdifferent；theorbshoneinallhersplendoramidinnumerableconstellations，whosepuritycouldnotbetroubledbyherrays。Onthedisc，theplainswerealreadyreturningtothedarktintwhichisseenfromtheearth。
Theotherpartofthenimbusremainedbrilliant，andinthemidstofthisgeneralbrilliancyTychoshoneprominentlylikeasun。
Barbicanehadnomeansofestimatingtheprojectile\'sspeed，butreasoningshowedthatitmustuniformlydecrease，accordingtothelawsofmechanicalreasoning。Havingadmittedthattheprojectilewasdescribinganorbitaroundthemoon，thisorbitmustnecessarilybeelliptical；scienceprovesthatitmustbeso。
Nomotivebodycirculatingroundanattractingbodyfailsinthislaw。Everyorbitdescribedinspaceiselliptical。AndwhyshouldtheprojectileoftheGunClubescapethisnaturalarrangement？
Inellipticalorbits，theattractingbodyalwaysoccupiesoneofthefoci；sothatatonemomentthesatelliteisnearer，andatanotherfartherfromtheorbaroundwhichitgravitates。Whentheearthisnearestthesunsheisinherperihelion；andinheraphelionatthefarthestpoint。Speakingofthemoon，sheisnearesttotheearthinherperigee，andfarthestfromitinherapogee。Touseanalogousexpressions，withwhichtheastronomers\'languageisenriched，iftheprojectileremainsasasatelliteofthemoon，wemustsaythatitisinits\"aposelene\"atitsfarthestpoint，andinits\"periselene\"atitsnearest。Inthelattercase，theprojectilewouldattainitsmaximumofspeed；andintheformeritsminimum。Itwasevidentlymovingtowarditsaposeleniticalpoint；andBarbicanehadreasontothinkthatitsspeedwoulddecreaseuptothispoint，andthenincreasebydegreesasitnearedthemoon。
Thisspeedwouldevenbecome_nil_，ifthispointjoinedthatofequalattraction。Barbicanestudiedtheconsequencesofthesedifferentsituations，andthinkingwhatinferencehecoulddrawfromthem，whenhewasroughlydisturbedbyacryfromMichelArdan。
\"ByJove！\"heexclaimed，\"Imustadmitwearedown-rightsimpletons！\"
\"Idonotsaywearenot，\"repliedBarbicane；\"butwhy？\"
\"Becausewehaveaverysimplemeansofcheckingthisspeedwhichisbearingusfromthemoon，andwedonotuseit！\"
\"Andwhatisthemeans？\"
\"Tousetherecoilcontainedinourrockets。\"
\"Done！\"saidNicholl。
\"Wehavenotusedthisforceyet，\"saidBarbicane，\"itistrue，butwewilldoso。\"
\"When？\"askedMichel。
\"Whenthetimecomes。Observe，myfriends，thatinthepositionoccupiedbytheprojectile，anobliquepositionwithregardtothelunardisc，ourrockets，inslightlyalteringitsdirection，mightturnitfromthemooninsteadofdrawingitnearer？\"
\"Justso，\"repliedMichel。
\"Letuswait，then。Bysomeinexplicableinfluence，theprojectileisturningitsbasetowardtheearth。Itisprobablethatatthepointofequalattraction，itsconicalcapwillbedirectedrigidlytowardthemoon；atthatmomentwemayhopethatitsspeedwillbe_nil_；thenwillbethemomenttoact，andwiththeinfluenceofourrocketswemayperhapsprovokeafalldirectlyonthesurfaceofthelunardisc。\"
\"Bravo！\"saidMichel。\"Whatwedidnotdo，whatwecouldnotdoonourfirstpassageatthedeadpoint，becausetheprojectilewasthenendowedwithtoogreataspeed。\"
\"Verywellreasoned，\"saidNicholl。
\"Letuswaitpatiently，\"continuedBarbicane。\"Puttingeverychanceonourside，andafterhavingsomuchdespaired，ImaysayIthinkweshallgainourend。\"
ThisconclusionwasasignalforMichelArdan\'shipsandhurrahs。
Andnoneoftheaudaciousboobiesrememberedthequestionthattheythemselveshadsolvedinthenegative。No！themoonisnotinhabited；no！themoonisprobablynothabitable。Andyettheyweregoingtotryeverythingtoreachher。
Onesinglequestionremainedtobesolved。Atwhatprecisemomenttheprojectilewouldreachthepointofequalattraction，onwhichthetravelersmustplaytheirlastcard。Inordertocalculatethistowithinafewseconds，Barbicanehadonlytorefertohisnotes，andtoreckonthedifferentheightstakenonthelunarparallels。Thusthetimenecessarytotraveloverthedistancebetweenthedeadpointandthesouthpolewouldbeequaltothedistanceseparatingthenorthpolefromthedeadpoint。
Thehoursrepresentingthetimetraveledoverwerecarefullynoted，andthecalculationwaseasy。Barbicanefoundthatthispointwouldbereachedatoneinthemorningonthenightofthe7th-8thofDecember。Sothat，ifnothinginterferedwithitscourse，itwouldreachthegivenpointintwenty-twohours。
Therocketshadprimarilybeenplacedtocheckthefalloftheprojectileuponthemoon，andnowtheyweregoingtoemploythemforadirectlycontrarypurpose。Inanycasetheywereready，andtheyhadonlytowaitforthemomenttosetfiretothem。