The moon hoax : $b or, A discovery that the moon has a vast population of human beings — John Locke — John Shaqi
The moon hoax : $b or, A discovery that the moon has a vast population of human beings
John Locke · en
to any intermediate degree of altitude that may be needed. This last
operation is beautifully regulated by an immense double sextant, which
is connected and moves with the axis of the lens, and is regularly
divided into degrees, minutes, and seconds; and the horizontal circles
of the observatory being also divided into 360 degrees, and minutely
subdivided, the whole instrument has the powers and regularity of the
most improved theodolite. Having no tube, it is connected with the
observatory by two horizontal levers, which pass underneath the floor
of that building from the circular basis of the pillars; thus keeping
the lens always square with the observatory, and securing to both a
uniform and simple movement. By means of these levers, too, a rack and
windlass, the observatory is brought to any degree of approximation
to the pillars that the altitude of an observation may require; and
although, when at its nearest station it cannot command an observation
with the great lens within about fifteen degrees of the meridian, it
is supplied with an excellent telescope of vast power, constructed by
the elder Herschel, by which every high degree can be surveyed. The
field of view, therefore, whether exhibited on the floor or on the
wall of the apartment, has a diameter of nearly fifty feet, and, being
circular, it has therefore an area of nearly 1875 feet. The place of
all the horizontal movements having been accurately levelled by Lieut.
Drummond, with the improved level of his invention which bears his
name, and the wheels both of the observatory and of the lens-works
being facilitated by friction-rollers in patent axle-boxes filled
with oil, the strength of one man applied to the extremity of the
levers is sufficient to propel the whole structure upon either of the
railroad circles; and that of two men applied to the windlass is fully
adequate to bring the observatory to the basis of the pillars. Both of
these movements, however, are now effected by a locomotive apparatus
commanded within the apartment by a single person, and showing, by
means of an ingenious index, every inch of progression or retrogression.