Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 June 1896 — The Moon’s Shape. [ARTICLE]

The Moon’s Shape.

According to the teachings of advanced modern astronomy it is a mistake to suppose that the shape of the moon is similar to that of the earth. It Is believed nowadays that the moon is a perfect ellipse, Its figure being nearly exactly one-third longer than it is broad. The elliptical theory of our satellite’s shape is founded on tlie wellknown fact that a certain side (end, rather) of the moon is always presented to our view. This is caused by the moon revolving once on her axis in exactly the same period of time that she revolves around the earth. Her elongated shape was probably caused by the attraction of the earth when both planets w’ere young and soft Fogs are more frequent in October and November than at any other period of the year, because, besides the evaporation from seas, rivers and lakes, there is a constant exhalation from the ground in the form of vapor. The air pressure on a person of ordinary size is thirteen and a half tons.