Chapter 13 Chapter 12 Mountain Form

As we have said before, the projectile is gradually approaching the northern hemisphere of the moon.It would have reached the center of the disk if it hadn't been irremediably veered off course, but that center was now far from the three travelers. It is now half past midnight.Barbicane estimated their distance from the lunar surface to be about 1,400 kilometers, a distance somewhat greater than the radius of the Moon, but probably still less as they advanced toward the North Pole.The projectile had crossed the equator, and reached the tenth degree of latitude north, from which they had carefully marked on their charts of the moon, to the north pole, where Barbicane and his two companions could observe the moon under the best conditions. .

In fact, with a telescope, the distance of fourteen hundred kilometers can be reduced to fourteen kilometers, or four and a half leagues.The Rocky Mountain telescope was able to zoom in on the Moon even closer, but the Earth's atmosphere greatly weakened the power of this optical instrument.Barbicane, therefore, holding up a telescope in his projectile, was able to see details scarcely visible to observers on Earth. Friends, said the President of the Club now in a solemn voice, I don't know where we're going, or if we'll ever see the Earth again.But we should work now as if it would someday be of use to our fellow beings.We should put aside all worries.We are astronomers, and this shell is the Cambridge Observatory's Space Observatory.Let's make observations.

Having said that, the precise observation work began, and they faithfully mapped the various conditions of the lunar surface according to the changing distance between the projectile and the celestial body. When the cannonball reached the tenth parallel north, it seemed to be going straight along the twenty degrees east longitude. Here, the lunar map used for observation must be explained in detail.On the lunar surface map, because the telescope's object image is always a reflection, the south is on the top and the north is on the bottom. At the same time, due to the reflection relationship, the east is naturally on the left and the west is on the right.However, that's okay too.If the map of the moon is turned over, like the moon we see with the naked eye, the east is on the left and the west is on the right, which is exactly the opposite of the map.That's why this anomaly exists.Observers standing in the northern hemisphere, in Europe if you will, will see the moon to their south.When they were observing, their backs were facing north, which was completely opposite to their posture when looking at the map.Because the back faces the north, it is natural that the east is on the left and the west is on the right.However, if observers stand in the southern hemisphere, say, in Patagonia, then the west of the moon is naturally to their left and the east to their right, because the south is behind them.

These are the two main orientations of the lunar surface reflection map, and they are also issues that we must pay attention to at all times when we observe Chairman Barbican.With the help of Bill and Maderell's map of the lunar surface, the three travelers were able to identify without hesitation the part of the moon that was within the field of view of the telescope. Where are we seeing now?Michelle asked. A place north of the Sea of ​​Clouds, answered Barbicane.We are too far away to determine its nature.Were these plains composed of dry fine sands, as the earliest astronomers maintained?Is it like Warren.As Mr. De La Rue said, it is just an endless forest?Warren.Mr. de la Rue thinks that the moon's atmosphere is very thin, but the molecules of the air are very dense, about which we will soon know.Before we have the right to affirm, we should affirm nothing.

On the lunar map, the edge of the sea of ​​clouds is not very clear. Some people assume that this vast plain is composed of magma spewed out of the three craters of Ptolemy, Pilbak and Azacher not far to the right.But the advancing projectile approached the region more and more distinctly, and soon many mountain peaks appeared to the north of the sea of ​​clouds.A radiant mountain stands in front of it, so magnificent that it seems to be invisible under the shining sunlight. What kind of mountain is this?Michelle asked. This is Mount Copernicus. Mount Copernicus is located at 9 degrees north latitude and 20 degrees east longitude, 3438 meters above the surface of the moon.This mountain is well visible from Earth, so it can be studied very well by astronomers, especially when the Moon is in its last quarter and new moon; for at this time it leaves a long shadow, its height can be measured.

Except for Tycho (Note: 1546︱1601, Danish astronomer.) Mountain in the southern hemisphere, Mount Copernicus alone forms the largest luminous system.It protruded from a lonely peak on the stormy sea, like a huge lighthouse, its brilliant light illuminated the two seas.On this lunar plain, its long beams of light are dazzling and dazzling, crossing the nearby mountains and stretching all the way to the Rain Sea, which can be called the world's most amazing spectacle.At one o'clock in the morning on Earth the projectile acts like a balloon released into the sky.Overlooking this gorgeous mountain.

Barbicane could now see the main situation on Copernicus.This is one of the first-class craters on the moon.It, too, like Keple and Aristarchus, which loom over the Sea of ​​Storms, sometimes appears as a bright dot on a gray moon, and is therefore thought to be an active volcano.In fact, it is like all the volcanoes on this side of the moon, but it is an extinct volcano.The crater is about twenty-two leagues in diameter.The traces of previous volcanic eruptions can be seen from the telescope, and the surrounding area seems to be covered with fragments of volcanic rocks. Such fragments can also be found inside the crater.

There are many kinds of craters on the surface of the moon. Barbicane said that it is obvious that Mount Copernicus belongs to the radiation volcano. If we get closer, we can see many cones standing like hedgehogs inside. The body used to be a vent.The moon has a strange feature, and without exception, the interior of all craters is lower than the plains outside, which is completely different from the craters on the earth.Therefore, the diameter of the sphere drawn from the curvature of the base of these craters is always somewhat smaller than that of the Moon. Why is there such a feature?Nicholl asked.

No idea, replied Barbicane. How majestic is the shape of this radiation!Michelle couldn't stop praising.It's hard to imagine anyone with a better view than this! If by chance, Barbicane replied, what would you say if we were in the southern hemisphere? Hey!Then I would say it is even more beautiful than here!Michelle.Adam replied. At this time, the projectile flew to the center of the crater.Copernicus forms an almost perfect circle around it, sharply outlined by its sheer ramparts.We can even see double rings.All around was a gray plain, desolate and desolate, with yellow spots on the raised parts.Inside the crater, two or three conical craters suddenly flickered, like gems hidden in a jewelry box suddenly emitting dazzling light.The lower wall to the north is probably the crater's exit.

As he passed over the surrounding plains, Barbicane pointed out a number of insignificant mountains, one of which was a crater called Gi.Lussac (Note: 1778︱1850, French physicist and chemist.) Mountain, only 23 kilometers in diameter.To the south is a flat plain, without a hill, not even a mound.On the north side, it was just the opposite. Until the border with the Sea of ​​Storms, it was almost like a sea hit by a hurricane. The waves churned, like mountains, like hills, one wave after another, but all of a sudden condensed into a solid.The many long beams of light radiating from the peak of Mount Copernicus fell on this plain, illuminating it in every direction.Several of the beams were thirty kilometers wide, almost unmeasurable in length.

The origin of this strange light was discussed by the three travelers, who were no better than the observers on Earth, and none of them could explain the nature of the light. What is the actual cause?Nicholl said, maybe these rays are just mountain ridges that can strongly reflect the sun's rays? No, answered Barbicane; if so, the ridges would in some cases cast shadows.But there are no shadows here. The truth is that this light only appears when the daytime object is opposite the Moon, but is invisible when the sun's rays are oblique. Can anyone explain this beam issue?Michelle asks because I don't believe this question can stump those scientists! Yes, replied Barbicane, Herschel (Note: 1738︱1822, British astronomer.) had made an opinion, but he was not sure. That's okay too.What did he say? He said he thought the rays might be cooled lava flows that glow in direct sunlight.It may be so, but nothing is certain, except that we shall be better able to study the cause of the beam if we pass near Tycho. You know what, my friends?Michel said, what does this plain look like when we look down from above? No idea, Nicholl replied. To me, all these spindles of lava are like a handful of game sticks thrown in there.All you need is an iron hook to pull them out one by one. Please be serious!said Barbicane. Seriously, Michelle replied calmly, all right!Game sticks aside, let's assume these are dead human bones.This plain, then, is a vast and boundless mass grave, where the remains of a thousand generations of dead Moonmen are laid.Do you like this lurid metaphor? Not a single thing, answered Barbicane. Then you are too difficult to serve!hell!Michelle said. My venerable friend, answered the practical Barbicane, What is the use of knowing what they are like, when we have not yet found out what they are? well said!Michelle said loudly.Your words remind me how I should reason with scientists! At the same time, the projectile was still moving along the lunar surface at almost the same speed.It is not difficult to imagine that, among the three travelers, no one thought of rest.The lunar landscape was changing every minute, slowly escaping from their field of vision.At about one-thirty in the morning, they saw the peak of another mountain range.Barbicane looked at the map of the moon and recognized Mount Erastena. This is one of the innumerable craters on the earth's satellite, 4,500 meters high.Referring to this question, Barbicane told his friends that Kepler had once raised a curious opinion about the formation of these craters.According to the famous mathematician, these crater-shaped cavities were probably dug by the hands of lunar people. What is their purpose?Nicholl asked. Their purpose is also very natural!Barbicane replied.The reason why the lunar people carry out this huge project and dig these endless caves is to escape the direct sun's rays that shine directly on their heads for fifteen days in a row. They are not stupid, these moonmen!Michelle said. What a strange idea!Nicholl replied.However, it is very likely that Kepler did not know how big these craters were, because digging these holes would be a huge project, and the lunar people would simply not be able to do it! Why can't it be done, because the weight of the objects on the surface of the moon is only one-sixth of that on the earth.Michelle said. But what if the lunar man was only one-sixth our size?Nicholl retorted him. What if there were no moonmen?Barbicane added.One sentence ends the debate. After a while, before the projectile could approach a suitable spot for close observation, Eratosthenes, the mountain that divides the Apennines from the Carpathians, was hidden below the horizon. . Most of the moon's famous mountains are located in the northern hemisphere.There are, however, several notable mountain ranges in the southern hemisphere. The following is a list of lunar mountains arranged in order from south to north, and indicate the latitude and height of the main peak: Dofair Mountain is 84 degrees south latitude and 7603 meters high Laishi Nitz Mountain is at 65 degrees south latitude and 7,600 meters high Mount Luke is located at 20° to 30° south latitude, with a height of 1,600 meters Altai Mountain is from 17 to 28 degrees south latitude and is 4047 meters high The Andes Mountains are from ten degrees to twenty degrees south latitude and are 3,898 meters high. The Pyrenees Mountains are from eight degrees to eighteen degrees south latitude and are 3,631 meters high. The Ural Mountains are from 5° to 13° south latitude and are 838 meters high Alembert Mountain is 4 to 10 degrees south latitude, 5847 meters high Mount Hermus is from eight degrees to twenty-one degrees north latitude, and is 2,021 meters high Karbayu Mountain is from 15° to 19° north latitude, 1,939 meters high The Apennines range from 14 degrees to 27 degrees north latitude and are 5,501 meters high Quanniushan Mountain is from 21 to 28 degrees north latitude, 2,746 meters high Riffe Mountain is from 25° to 33° north latitude, 4,171 meters high Erz Mountain is from 17 degrees to 29 degrees north latitude, 1170 meters high The Caucasus Mountain is from 32nd to 41st north latitude, 5,567 meters high The Alps are from 42 to 49 degrees north latitude and 3,617 meters high The most important of these many ranges is the Apennines, stretching for a hundred and fifty leagues, though not as long as those on the earth.The Apennines run down the eastern edge of Mare Imbrium, and to the north are the Carpathians, some one hundred leagues in length. It is impossible for travelers to see the main peak of the Apennines because it stretches from ten degrees west to sixteen degrees east, but the Carpathians, which stretch from eighteen degrees east to thirty degrees east, happen to fall in their field of vision. ri, so they could record the distribution of the range.