GASSENDI.
Nov. 7. 1867 10 P.M.
THE MOON:
CONSIDERED AS
A PLANET, A WORLD, and A SATELLITE.
BY
JAMES NASMYTH, C.E.
AND
JAMES CARPENTER, F.R.A.S.
LATE OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, GREENWICH.
WITH TWENTY-FOUR ILLUSTRATIVE PLATES OF LUNAR OBJECTS, PHENOMENA, AND SCENERY; NUMEROUS WOODCUTS, &c.
LONDON:
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.
1874.
LONDON:
BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO., PRINTERS, WHITEFRIARS.
TO
HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF ARGYLL,
IN RECOGNITION OF HIS LONG CONTINUED INTEREST IN THE SUBJECT OF WHICH IT TREATS,
This Volume
IS MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED
BY
THE AUTHORS.
PREFACE.
The reason for this book’s appearance may be set forth in a fewwords. A long course of reflective scrutiny of the lunar surface withthe aid of telescopes of considerable power, and a consequent familiaritywith the wonderful details there presented, convinced us that there wasyet something to be said about the moon, that existing works onAstronomy did not contain. Much valuable labour has been bestowedupon the topography of the moon, and this subject we do not pretendto advance. Enough has also been written for the benefit of those whodesire an acquaintance with the intricate movements of the moon inspace; and accordingly we pass this subject without notice. But verylittle has been written respecting the moon’s physiography, or thecausative phenomena of the features, broad and detailed, that thesurface of our satellite presents for study. Our observations had ledus to some conclusions, respecting the cause of volcanic energy and themode of its action as manifested in the characteristic craters and othereruptive phenomena that abound upon the moon’s surface. We haveendeavoured to explain these phenomena by reference to a few naturallaws, and to connect them with the general hypothesis of planet formationwhich is now widely accepted by cosmologists. The principal aimof our work is to lay these proffered explanations before the studentsviiiand admirers of astronomy and science in general; and we trust thatwhat we have deduced concerning the moon may be taken as referringto a certain extent to other planets.
Some reflections upon the moon considered as a world, in referenceto questions of habitability, and to the peculiar conditions which wouldattend a sojourn on the lunar surface, have appeared to us not inappropriate.These, though instructive, are rather curious than important.More worthy of respectful consideration are the few remarks we haveoffered upon the moon as a satellite and a benefactor to the inhabitantsof this Earth.
In reference to the Illustrations accompanying this work, moreespecially those which represent certain portions