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。