The moon : $b a full description and map of its principal physical featuresElger, Thomas Gwyn
Science
The moon : $b a full description and map of its principal physical features
Elger, Thomas Gwyn
Moon
VALLEYS.--Features thus designated, differing greatly both in size and
character, are met with in almost every part of the surface, except on
the grey plains. While the smallest examples, from their delicacy,
tenuity, and superficial resemblance to rills, are termed rill-valleys,
the larger and more conspicuous assume the appearance of coarse chasms,
gorges, or trough-like depressions. Between these two extremes, are many
objects of moderate dimensions--winding or straight ravines and defiles
bounded by steep mountains, and shallow dales flanked by low rounded
heights. The rill valleys are very numerous, only differing in many
instances from the true rills in size, and are probably due to the same
cause. Among the most noteworthy valleys of the largest class must, of
course, be placed the great valley of the Alps, one of the most striking
objects in the northern hemisphere, which also includes the great valley
south-east of Ukert. The Rheita valley, the very similar chasm west of
Reichenbach, and the gorge west of Herschel, are also notable examples in
the southern hemisphere. The borders of some of the Maria (especially
that of the Mare Crisium) and of many of the depressed rimless
formations, furnish instances of winding valleys intersecting their
borders: the hilly regions likewise often abound in long branching
defiles.
BRIGHT RAY-SYSTEMS.--Reference has already been made to the faint light
streaks and markings often found on the floors of the ring-mountains and
in other situations, and to the brilliant _nimbi_ surrounding some of the
smaller craters; but, in addition to these, many objects on the moon's
visible surface are associated with a much more remarkable and
conspicuous phenomenon--the bright rays which, under a high sun, are seen
either to radiate from them as apparent centres to great distances, or,
in the form of irregular light areas, to environ them, and to throw out
wide-spreading lucid beams, extending occasionally many hundreds of miles
from their origin. The more striking of these systems were recognised and
drawn at a very early stage of telescopic observation, as may be seen if
we consult the quaint old charts of Hevel, Riccioli, Fontana, and other
observers of the seventeenth century, where they are always prominently,
though very inaccurately, portrayed. The principal ray-systems are those
of Tycho, Copernicus, Kepler, Anaxagoras, Aristarchus, Olbers, Byrgius A,
and Zuchius; while Autolycus, Aristillus, Proclus, Timocharis, Furnerius
A, and Menelaus are grouped as constituting minor systems. Many
additional centres exist, a list of which will be found in the appendix.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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