A Mirror in the Moon.

Warren Ledger de Warren (Pennsylvanie), Thursday, November 18, 1875
s1Theo Paijmans, Magonia Exchange, 24 mars 2007
L'article d'origine
L'article d'origine

A most remarkable discovery is reported from the astronomical observation established by the Russian government several years ago at Pamlateska, the highest point, with one exception, on the Himalayan range. For several months a peculiar bright spot had been discovered, shining from the extreme edge of the moon's disc, at a point where no mountains break the continuity of its perimeter. This light suddenly disappeared and remained invisible for nearly twelve months. It has lately reappeared in greater brilliancy than ever, and the immense power of the telescope attached to the above observatory, so well known in the scientific world, has developed the fact that the light proceeds from some huge burnished substance, acting as a mirror, which must be at least 100 feet in diameter. The most astonishing thing in the matter is the almost complete proof that this is actually a mirror of artificial construction, and the theory of the savans at Pamlateska is, that it is erected for observations of a scientific character, principally to observe the phases of the earth's surface.

It is well known that the immense height of that portion of the moon which is turned toward the earth, not only through the well known laws of gravitation, keeps that portion of her surface presented towards us, but also renders it uninhabitable. It is supposed that the side turned from us may have an atmosphere suitable for an animal life, and that intelligent beings observing the halo of light shed around its horizon by reflections from the earth, may have taken this means to ascertain the cause. Some ingenious device to place a mirror at a height where animal life could not be sustained, was the result. It is to be hoped that this discovery may lead to others in regard to our interesting satellite.