,,dreams ,,( ,,an                       
,,a/ronom]                              
,,dreams ,,( ,,an                       
,,a/ronom]                              
,by ,,camille ,,flamm>ion               
,translat$ f ! ,fr5* by ,e4 ,e4         
,,f\rni] ,d',,albe                      
,d4 ,,appleton ,,& ,,company            
,,new ,,york ,,mcmxxiii                 
,,publi%$1 #aibc1 ,,by                  
,d4 ,,appleton ,,& ,,company            
,all rights res]v$                      
,,pr9t$ ,,9 ,,! ,,unit$ ,,/ates ,,am]ica
                                        
,,cont5ts     ,,*apt]                   
,,page     ,i4 ,a ,,voyage ,,9 ,,! ,,sky
                                        
#i     7#a7 ,,two ,,hundr$ ,,& ,,=ty    
,,?\s&   ,,miles ,,f ,,! ,,e>?          
#ab     7#b7 ,,?irty-,,sev5 ,,million   
,,miles   ,,f ,,! ,,e>?                 
#ae     7#c7 ,,at ,,sev5 ,,hundr$ ,,&   
,,fifty   ,,million ,,miles             
#ah     7#d7 ,,two ,,?\s& ,,five        
,,hundr$ ,,million ,,miles ,,f ,,! ,,sun

             #bj     7#e7 ,,at          
,,tw5ty-,,five ,,billion ,,miles        
#cf     7#f7 ,,at ,,sixty ,,?\s&        
,,billion   ,,miles                     
#dd     7#g7 ,,9 ,,inf9ite ,,space      
#di     ,,ii4 ,,! ,,_w ,,( ,,long ,,ago 
#fe     ,,iii4 ,,! ,,_w ,,to ,,come     
#gi     ,,iv4 ,,v5us ,,! ,,beautiful    
#ie     ,v4 ,,! ,,planet ,,m>s          
#aaa     ,,vi4 ,,! ,,giant ,,_w ,,(     
,,jupit]                                
#abc     ,,vii4 ,,he>tbeats ,,across    
,,space                                 
#aca     ,,viii4 ,,ideas ,,conc]n+      
,,communication ,,betwe5   ,,! ,,worlds 
#ada     ,,ix4 ,,/abs ,,& ,,atoms       
#aeg     ,x4 ,,are ,,o!r ,,planets      
,,inhabit$8 7,a ,,discussion   ,,(      
,,s*e9]',s ,,argum5ts7                  
#agi     ,,g5]al ,,rem>ks               
#ahb     ,,hi/orical                    
#ahd     ,,! ,,orig9 ,,( ,,life         
#aic     ,,! ,,conditions ,,( ,,life    
#aif     ,,! ,,planets ,,( ,,our ,,sy/em
                                        

#bja     ,,! ,,possible ,,exi/5ce ,,(   
,,be+s   ,,( ,,diff]5t ,,*emical        
,,con/itution                           
#baj     ,,rem>ks                       
#bae     ,,index                        
#bbc                                    
,i4 ,a ,,voyage                         
,,9 ,,! ,,sky                           
,,*apt] ,i                              
,a ,,voyage ,,9 ,,! ,,sky               
,,introduction      ,,x ,,0 at ,v5ice4  
,! l(ty w9d[s ( ! anci5t ,ducal ,palace 
( !  ,sp]anzi op5$ ^u ! ,gr& ,canal4 ,! 
orb ( night 0 mirror$ 9  ! wat]s by a   
furr[ ( silv] spangles1 & ! imm5sity ( !
 sky  /ret*$ ov] ! t[]s & cupolas4      
,:5 ! musicians borne by ! gondolas _h  
turn$ ! corn] (  ! canal to glide t[>ds 
! ,bridge ( ,sighs1 _! la/ *oruses      
vani%$ 9 ! night1 & ,v5ice seem$ to g to
 sleep 9 t  pr(\nd sil5ce kn[n to no    
hive ( humanity b ! ,que5 ( !           
,adriatic4 ,?is ,v5etian sil5ce 0       
untr\bl$ save by ! cad5c$  beats ( ! old
 clock1 & p]haps ,i %\ld n h appreciat$ 

!  :ole dep? ( ! univ]sal mut5ess b = ! 
regul> oscillation  ( t app>atus design$
 = measur+ "t4 ,! cont9u\s  8tick-tock0 
m>k$ out ! sil5ce1 &1 curi\sly en\gh1   
seem$ to  int5sify x4    ,seat$ 9 !     
embrasure ( ! high w9d[1 ,i contemplat$ 
! %9+  disc ( ! ,moon en?ron$ 9 an azure
 sky fill$ entirely ) its  light1 & ,i  
rememb]$ t ?is lum9>y ( ! night1 s      
tranquil  & calm 9 appe>ance1 mov$ a    
?\s& y>ds 9 space at ea* beat (  !      
clock4 ,?is fact /ruck me = ! fir/ "t ) 
a c]ta9 =ce1  p]haps on acc\nt ( !      
envelop+ solitude4    ,gaz+ ^u ! lun>   
globe1 9 :i* ,i c\ld di/+ui% ) !  nak$  
eye ! anci5t seas & geographical        
outl9es1 ,i be?\ght  myself t x 0 /ill  
p]haps inhabit$ by be+s organis$        
diff]5tly f ourselves :o c live 9 an    
extremely r>efi$  atmosph]e2 b :at /ruck
 me ev5 m =cibly 0 its rapid  revolution
 r\nd ! ,e>?1 at ! rate ( #a1jjj y>ds at
 ea* beat (  ! clock1 mak+ #ch miles a  
m9ute1 #b1bhj an h\r1 #ec1hjj a day1 or 
#a1ejj1jjj miles = ea* lun> mon?4    ,i 

saw 9 my m9d ! ,moon revolv+ r\nd u f   
we/ to ea/ 9 less  ?an a mon?1 & at !   
same "t ,i felt1 s to speak1 ! daily    
movem5t ( ! ,e>? ab\t its axis1 also f  
we/ to ea/1 :i*  makes ! sky appe> to   
move 9 ! opposite direction4 ,:ile ,i 0 
/ill reflect+1 inde$1 ! ,moon _h        
actually %ift$ & desc5d$  9 ! we/ t[>ds 
! /eeple ( ! ,*iesa4 ,^! t]re/rial &    
cele/ial movem5ts1 s(t] ?an ^? ( !      
gondolas glid+ on !  limpid wat]s1 be> u
 along ?r\gh reality z ?r\gh a dream4   
,!y  measure ! days & ! ye>s z we pass1 
l fleet+ %ad[s1  :ile !y endure = ev]4  
,! sil5t ,moon1 sph9x ( ! sky1 %one     
already on ! wat]s silv]$ by h] spl5d\r 
millions ( ye>s ago1  :ile t]re/rial    
humanity 0 /ill await+ its sl[ unfold+ 9
  ! limbo ( future possibilities4       
,/range animals peopl$ ! =e/s  :i* cov]$
 ! cont95ts1 fanta/ic fi%es pursu$ ea*  
o!r  9 ! floods1 vampires clove ! air1 &
 two-foot$ crocodiles1  :i* seem to be !
 ance/ors ( ^? ( ,egyptian my?ology1 %[$
  !mselves 9 ! cle>+s on ! banks ( !    

riv]s4 ,lat] ! same  ,moon %one on !    
bir? ( ! fl[]s1 on ! ne/s ( ! fir/      
birds4 ,b h[ _m nights _h %e n illum9at$
 ) pale beams  be=e ! fir/ glance f a   
human eye fell ^u h]1 be=e !  fir/ human
 ?\ght asc5d$ t[>ds h]6 ,to-night %e    
%9es ^u a  popul\s & active humanity1   
fl\ri%+ cities1 m>ble palaces1 built    
amid ! cl\ds4 ,j n[1 at my feet1 9 a    
gondola a pair ( lov]s  call$ ^u h] to  
witness _! et]nal v[s1 =gett+ t h]      
rapid phases are ! symbol ( our         
*angefulness & our %ortness (  life4    
,yes1 %e has be5 ! confidante ( _m      
my/]ies1 & = a  long "t yet w radiant   
y\? s+ "u h] sky its et]nal song  (     
love4 ,b "o day1 a poor1 enfeebl$ lamp1 
%e w only %9e ^u  a cemet]y ( ice2 !re w
 be no m clocks = measur+ h\rs  nor     
human be+s to c\nt !m4 ,?us ,i mus$1 9 !
 bright moonlight  :i* seem$ to int5sify
 all ! %ad[s & to deep5 all ! abysses   
betwe5 ! palaces plung+ into ! black    
wat]4 ,?is neighb\r+  _w exi/s at a     
di/ance ( #bdj1jjj miles f u4 ,our      

?\ghts fly  ?i!r 9 a fla%4 ,) ! spe$ (  
light1 ! di/ance is cov]$ 9  #a second4 
,9 imag9ation ,i took flight up to !    
di/ant lum9>y4 ,i  =got ,v5ice1 !       
,adriatic1 & ! ,e>?1 & ,i felt myself   
c>ri$  beyond ! conf9es ( ! t]re/rial   
atmosph]e4                     7#a7     
,,two ,,hundr$ ,,& ,,=ty ,,?\s& ,,miles 
,,f ,,! ,,e>?      ,i seem$ to approa* !
 pale ,phbe & to arrive sudd5ly above ! 
imm5se *a9 ( ! lun> ,ap5n9es1 :i*       
sep>ate ! 8,sea (  ,vap\r0 f ! 8,sea (  
,ra910 n f> f ! c5tral m]idian4 ,i      
recognis$1 j z ,i _h s (t5 obs]v$ !m 9 !
 telescope1 !  amphi!atres & crat]s (   
,ar*im$es1 ,autolycus1 & ,ari/illus1 &  
,i hov]$ = "s "t ov] ! /eep cliffs ( !  
8,sea ( ,s]5ity40  ,i saw ! traces ( old
 subm]sions & ,i di/+ui%$ sev]al crat]s 
almo/ oblit]at$ by =midable l&-slides4  
,i got accu/om$ to ?is  view ! m rapidly
 = ! fact t a/ronomical in/rum5ts h     
long famili>is$ u ) ?is neighb\r+ _w1 & 
t c]ta9  details ( lun> geography are   
bett] kn[n ?an are _m po9ts (  t]re/rial

 geography4 ,^? imm5se amphi!atres1 ^?  
yawn+  crat]s1 ^? /eep-wall$ m\nta9s1 ^?
 deep valleys1 ^?  num]\s cracks 9 !    
soil--we h /udi$ !m all & we "k  !m4 ,we
 f9d !re ! geographical result (        
consid]able volcanic  activity1 crat]s  
#b miles 9 dep? & #fj1 #ajj1 or #aej    
miles wide1  m\nta9 peaks #d or #e miles
 high1 pla9s & valleys :]e ! traces  (  
successive sel5ological epo*s are       
traceable4 ,9 ! l[] dep?s ,i  obs]v$ !  
effects ( a s5sible atmosph]e1 surface  
*anges produc$  ov] imm5se /ret*es (    
gr\nd by ! action ( ! ,sun's rays dur+  
days fifte5 times z long z ours1 *anges 
( aspect due to ! fro/  ( ! long lun>   
night & ! ?aw "u ! midday ,sun1 long    
:ite  /reaks trav]s+ ! circul> pla9s2   
some?+ l geys]s 9  activity2 %ort-liv$  
plants )\t any t]re/rial analogy--a :ole
  _w /ill alive1 app>5tly 9 its la/     
dea?-/ruggle4 ,my ?\ght  & my gaze re/$ 
on ! pale figure ( ! ,e>?'s satellite1 &
  ,i ask$ myself :e!r !re 0 n alive at t
 mom5t1 9 "s  anci5t city at ! bottom ( 

a crat] or a valley1 "s ?9k+  be+1 ) its
 eyes rais$ to ! sky1 contemplat+ ! ,e>?
 :]e  we are & ask+ ! same "q3 :e!r any 
intellig5t be+s  liv$ on ! surface ( t  
imm5se globe ?ron+ = ev] ov]  _! heads1 
& pres5t+ to _! m9ds ! same riddle :i*  
_!  abode pres5ts to u4    ,:ile ,i ?us 
reflect$ ab\t our neighb\r 9 space1 !   
orb ( night  _h sunk 9 ! we/1 & ,i saw  
at "s di/ance f x on ! left  a /> %9+ ) 
a r$di% gl[1 %$d+ rays ( fire ov] !     
heav5ly vault4 ,i 0 n long 9 recognis+ 9
 ?is ard5t />  our neighb\r ! planet    
,m>s1 & ,i =got ! moon ov] ?is o!r      
cele/ial isl&1 ! si/] ( our own1 :i* has
 s _m analogies  ) our planet4    ,"h1  
said ,i to myself1 is ! planet ( greate/
 int]e/ to  ourselves1 ! "o we "k be/4  
,x gravitates r\nd ! sun along an  orbit
 trac$ at a mean di/ance ( #adc million 
miles f ! c5tral  lum9>y4 ,our ,e>?     
passes ?r\gh its annual revolution at a 
di/ance  ( #ib million miles4 ,!re are1 
!re=e1 on an av]age1 #ea million  miles 
betwe5 ! two orbits4 ,on ! night ( my   

vigil1 ,m>s happ5$  to be at its m9imum 
di/ance f ! ,e>?4 ,=tunately1 z !  two  
orbits are nei!r circul> nor p>allel1 ! 
real di/ance is  sometimes r$uc$ to #cg 
million miles4 ,light1 :i* takes #a     
second  to trav]se ! di/ance betwe5 !   
,e>? & ! ,moon1 takes #bjj  seconds1 or 
#c m9utes #bj seconds1 to cross !       
cele/ial abyss :i*  sep>ates ,m>s f !   
,e>?1 ,x seem$ to me t ,i really sp5t   
^? #c m9utes 9 fly+ ! di/ance1 & ,i     
entirely =got ! high  w9d[ ( my ,v5etian
 palace ov] ! aspect ( ! new _w to :i*  
! flight ( my ?\ght _h br\ght me4       
7#b7 ,,?irty-,,sev5 ,,million ,,miles   
,,prom ,,! ,,e>?      ,x is n v f>1     
a/ronomically speak+4 ,x is1 9 fact1 q  
ne>1 a few paces away4 ,! _w ( ,m>s is !
 fir/ /ation ( !  sol> sy/em1 ! fir/    
planet we meet on leav+ ! ,e>? to visit 
! remote regions ( ! heav5s4 ,! f>!r we 
move away f !  ,e>?1 ! small] gr[s !    
app>5t size ( our own _w4 ,se5 f  !     
,moon1 our planet hangs 9 ! sky l an    
enorm\s moon1 f\r times  ! size ( our   

own satellite1 & sixte5 times z lum9\s1 
= x  is isolat$ 9 space & reflects !    
light receiv$ f ! ,sun1  z is done by ! 
,moon & ! v>i\s planets ( ! sol> sy/em4 
,f ab\t #bej1jjj miles1 !re=e1 ! ,e>?   
/ill appe>s ( a  consid]able size1 be+  
ab\t f\r times ! size ( ! full ,moon4   
,at  #b million miles x appe>s t5 times 
small] 9 diamet]1 b /ill  %[s a         
p]ceptible disc4 ,at ! di/ance ( ! orbit
 ( ,m>s1 at !  "t :5 ! planets are 9    
greate/ proximity 7#cg million miles71  
! ,e>? no long] %[s a s5sible disc1 b is
 /ill ! bigge/  & brighte/ /> 9 ! entire
 heav5s4 ,! inhabitants ( ,m>s1  !re=e1 
admire u z a brilliant /> 9 ! sky1 %[+  
aspects  simil> to ^? :i* ,v5us %[s to  
u4 ,we are _! morn+ &  ev5+ />1 & no    
d\bt _! my?ology has erect$ alt>s to u4 
,:5 ,i arriv$ on t planet1 x 0 ab\t     
midday on its c5tral  m]idian4 ,i notic$
 two small moons revolv+ rapidly 9 _!   
sky1  & ,i alight$ on ! slope ( a m\nta9
 ov]look+ a di/ant sea4  ,! sea 0 %all[ 
& full ( wat]-plants4 ,! panorama rem9d$

  me ( t :i* "o sees f ! t]race ( !     
,nice ,obs]vatory1  & ,i seem$ to see a 
,m$it]ranean ( calm wat]1 ( a r d>k     
blui%-gre5 col\r4 ,b x 0 a diff]5t      
elem5t1 & ,i saw t  ! plants 7 ( a      
species unkn[n on ,e>?4 ,airy navies    
consi/+  ( a sort ( bird-fi%es glid$    
?r\gh ! atmosph]e1 & ,i soon  f\nd t !  
inhabitants ( ?is cele/ial t]ritory h   
receiv$  by natural evolution ! enviable
 privilege ( fly+ ?r\gh !  air1 & t _!  
me?od ( locomotion is p>ticul>ly        
aviation4  ,gravity is feeble on !      
surface ( ! planet1 & h5ce ! d5sity  (  
be+s & objects on t planet is mu* less  
?an x is ) u4  ,eng9e]+ sci5ce has = _m 
c5turies rea*$ a high degree (          
p]fection4 ,!y h c>ri$ out imm5se works1
 incomp>ably sup]ior  to ^? a*iev$ on   
our planet dur+ ! la/ c5tury1 & !y  h   
trans=m$ _! globe by gigantic op]ations 
:i* e>?ly  a/ronom]s are j beg9n+ to    
appreciate by means ( ! telescope4  ,"o 
may easily und]/&1 inde$1 t t _w %\ld be
 m  advanc$ ?an ours1 because x is m    

anci5t *ronologically1 &  because1 be+  
small] ?an our globe1 x has cool$ d[n m 
rapidly  & has run ?r\gh ! phases (     
organic evolution at a great] rate4     
,its ye>s are ne>ly twice z long z ours1
 9 ! proportion ( #cfe  days to #fhg4   
,:ile we c\nt #cg ye>s on ,e>?1 !       
,m>tian only c\nts  #bj1 & a man ( #gi  
ye>s on ,e>? is only #dj ,m>tian ye>s   
old4  ,?is is an advantage ( #hh p] c5t4
 ,its condition ( habitability1  its    
climate & meteorology1 its days & its   
nights1 are analog\s  to ours4 ,ev5 f   
:]e we are we c obs]ve its cont95ts1 its
  pol> sn[s :i* melt 9 ! spr+1 its      
canals :i* also *ange  ) ! seasons1 its 
humid pla9s p]iodically v>i$ by         
vegetation1  its cl\ds1 g5]ally v light1
 b d5se en\gh t[>ds ! pol>  regions1 its
 mi/s 9 ! morn+s & especially 9 ! ev5+1 
above  all1 ! p]petual *anges1          
incomp>ably m int5se ?an ^? (  ! ,e>?s  
surface--9 a ^w1 all ^? manife/ations ( 
an activity  great] ?an t ( our own home
 ( ! pres5t day4    ,i only delay$ on   

,m>s = ! "t necess>y to =m a g5]al idea 
(  ! life :i* animates our neighb\r+    
globe & to make sure t x  is m active   
?an t ( t]re/rial humanity1 & ,i f\nd   
myself1  "s mom5ts lat]1 transport$ to !
 annul> _w ( ,saturn4                   
7#c7 ,,at ,,sev5 ,,hundr$ ,,& ,,fifty   
,,million ,,miles      ,! conception (  
"t1 ! appreciation ( duration1 are      
ess5tially  relative to ! /ate ( our    
m9d4 ,if we sleep pr(\ndly = sev5 or    
eight h\rs1 t "t w h made a gap 9 our   
life ( no great]  l5g? ?an t produc$ by 
t5 m9utes ( sleep4 ,! m9]s :o by  !     
collapse ( a %aft are entomb$ = five or 
six days be=e be+  rescu$1 always       
believe t !y h n be5 cut (f = m ?an     
tw5ty h\rs4 ,buri$ on a ,tuesday1 =     
in/ance1 !y w n believe  t !y h _h to   
wait till ,sunday4 ,on ! o!r h&1 "o may 
seem to pass sev]al h\rs1 v sl[ly1 9 a  
dream ( a few seconds4  ,a fri5d ( m9e  
told me t "o day1 z he 0 rid+ ?r\gh a   
wood1 8 horse bolt$ & ?rew him into a   
rav9e4 ,he said 8 fall  _h c]ta9ly n    

tak5 m ?an ?ree seconds1 b t dur+ ^?    
?ree seconds he _h pass$ 9 review at    
lea/ t5 ye>s ( 8 life  9 all _!         
successive details & )\t any app>5t     
hurry+ (  ev5ts4 ,!n1 aga91 :o has n    
obs]v$ h[ long ! m9utes may seem  dur+  
"s h\rs ( wait+8    ,! orbit ( ! ,e>?   
r\nd ! ,sun be+ #ib million miles1 & t  
( ,saturn #hhh million1 !re are #gif    
million miles betwe5 ! two  orbits4     
,light trav]ses ?is gap 9 #gj m9utes4   
,my fancy flew ?is  di/ance ) ! spe$ (  
light1 & ,i 0 aw>e ( ^! #b1bdj  seconds 
requir$ to cov] ! di/ance at ! rate (   
#ahf1jjj miles a  second4 ,yet ,i am    
sure t ,i did n sp5d all t "t 9 trav]s+ 
! di/ance to ,saturn1 nor ev5 ! less] "t
 correspond+ to !  di/ance betwe5 ,m>s &
 ! r+$ planet1 = ! fir/ /roke  ( t5 _h  
s\nd$ on ! old clock :5 ,i =got ,m>s &  
fix$ my  att5tion on ,saturn1 & ,i      
arriv$ at my de/9ation be=e ! h\r  _h   
f9i%$ /rik+4    ,i alight$ on ! t5?     
satellite1 :5ce "o c easily appreciate  
! gr&eur ( ! ,saturnian sy/em4 ,!       

enorm\s planet (1 a  diamet] m ?an #i   
times t ( our globe1 ) a surface #ij    
times t ( ! ,e>?1 & a bulk #gde times t 
( our float+  home1 is surr\nd$ by      
gigantic r+s measur+ #agh1jjj miles     
across4  ,girt by ?is multiple r+1 !    
planet presides ov] a ret9ue (  t5      
satellites revolv+ r\nd x 9 a sy/em hav+
 a radius ( #h  million miles1 a sy/em  
:i* 9 itself con/itutes a univ]se l>g]  
?an t kn[n to ! anci5ts4 ,until ! age ( 
tru? inaugurat$  by ! conque/s ( mod]n  
a/ronomy1 nobody on our planet1 no poet1
  no philosoph]1 no ?9k]1 _h guess$ !   
real gr&eur ( !  proportions on :i* !   
univ]se is con/ruct$4 ,h[ small our ,e>?
  appe>s se5 f ! ,saturnian sy/em6 ,x is
 b>ely se51 once 9 six  mon?s1 z a small
 lum9\s dot ne> ! sun1 %9+ = a few      
m9utes  9 ! ev5+ aft] sunset1 or a few  
m9utes 9 ! morn+ be=e  sunrise4         
7#d7 ,,two ,,?\s& ,,five ,,hundr$       
,,million                               
,,miles ,,f ,,! ,,sun      ,9 ! dep?s ( 
space1 at a di/ance f ! sun m ?an #cj   

times  our own1 "u a gl[ ( light & heat 
#ijj times feebl] ?an t  :i* we enjoy1  
!re roams ! _w ( ,neptune1 among        
conditions  ( life q diff]5t f ^? :i*   
obta9 on ,e>?4 ,^?  %ort-sight$         
naturali/s :o affirm$ ev5 q rec5tly1 )  
pr(essorial emphasis1 t ! abysses ( !   
ocean are condemn$ to  an et]nal        
/]ility1 because ! conditions ( light & 
pressure  are absolutely diff]5t f !    
conditions ne> ! surface1 h  receiv$ f  
,nature h]self ! rude/ contradiction :i*
 c be  inflict$ ^u ! p$antic sci5ce (   
pret5d]s to infallibility4  ,?is        
contradiction1 h[ev] direct & absolute1 
has n disc\rag$  !m all1 = !re are /ill 
"s :o decl>e t life c only exi/  on     
worlds hav+ conditions id5tical ) ours4 
,always ! reason+s  ( ! fi% :o          
affirms--q s9c]ely--t x is impossible to
 live  outside wat]6 ,let u leave ^!    
tea*]s to _! illusions &  cont9ue our   
asc5t4 ,a/ronomy mu/ be ! great tea*] ( 
philosophy4    ,! di/ant _w ( ,neptune1 
on :i* e ye> equals ne>ly #afe (  our   

ye>s1 & :]e t5 ye>s repres5t ! :ole     
hi/orical int]val  :i* sep>ates u f !   
,romans 7we mu/ rememb] ?an #a1fej ye>s 
ago ! ,romans reign$ at ,p>is & 9 ,gaul1
 & nei!r ,france nor  any ( ! pres5t-day
 nations 7 ?\ght (71 ?is neighb\r+  _w1 
,i say1 is well fitt$ to tea* u to      
enl>ge our n>r[ &  p]sonal conceptions1 
especially z reg>ds ! measurem5t ( "t4  
,! cal5d> ( t planet is j z exact1 j z  
precise1 z  ours1 & a ,neptunian ye> is 
n long] to ^? sl[ & reflective  be+s :o 
inhabit ! place ?an is a t]re/rial ye>  
to ^?  hurry+ & agitat$ p]sons :o sw>m 9
 our turbul5t cities4 ,yet a  ,neptunian
 adolesc5t ( #bj has really liv$ ne>ly  
#c1cjj t]re/rial  ye>s1 )\t kn[+ t su* a
 "t is call$ 8v long0 by !  inhabitants 
( our planet1 :om su* a life w\ld c>ry  
back to !  epo* ( ,hom] & anci5t        
,greece4    ,x w\ld be impossible ev5 ) 
! mo/ c>eful exam9ation to  discov] any 
po9t ( comp>ison betwe5 ! be+s :i* live 
on  ! ,neptunian _w & ^? :i* we "k on   
,e>?4 ,none ( our  classifications1 :e!r

 ( ! animal k+dom1 va/ & div]sifi$  ?\gh
 x be1 or ( ! vegetable k+dom1 highly   
complex 9 itself1  c\ld be appli$ to !m4
 ,x is ano!r _w1 absolutely diff]5t  f  
?is "o4 ,spectrum analysis inde$        
e/abli%es ! fact t its  *emical         
composition is q o!r ?an t ( our        
t]re/rial home4  ,! organisms :i* live  
on ! surface ( ! diff]5t planets are  ! 
resultant ( ! =ces act+ ^u !m4 ,! orig9 
( ! human  =m lies 9 ! ance/ral =ms ( ! 
long animal s]ies :5ce x  has gradually 
em]g$1 & ( :i* x is ! highe/ p]fection1 
& ^! primitive animal =ms g back 9 an   
unbrok5 *a9 to !  rudim5t>y organisms   
unprovid$ ) ! s5ses :i* are ! glory  (  
man1 organisms :i* inaugurat$ !         
manife/ations ( life1 b  :i* c h>dly be 
describ$ z liv+4 ,!y are nei!r animals  
nor  plants4 ,!y appe> to be organis$   
sub/ances1 already di/9ct f  ! inorganic
 k+dom1 b z yet only simple *emical     
comb9ations  end[$ ) a sort ( diffus$   
vitality1 an elem5t>y protoplasm1  ! g]m
 ( all developm5ts ( t]re/rial life1 bo?

 animal &  vegetable4 ,! fir/ organis$  
be+s 7 =m$ 9 ! bosom ( !  w>m wat]s ( ! 
oceans :i* cov]$ ! entire surface ( !   
e>?  at ! "t :5 ! geological p]iods     
began4 ,_! intr9sic nature1  _!         
prop]ties1 _! faculties1 7 already !    
resultant ( !  *emical composition ( ^? 
wat]s1 ( ! d5sity & temp]ature  ( !     
surr\nd+ m$ium2 ! v>iation ( ?is m$ium &
 ( !  condition ( exi/5ce h br\ght ab\t 
correspond+ *anges 9 !  developm5t ( ?is
 g5ealogical tree1 &1 accord+ to !      
habitat  ( ! organisms1 :e!r 9 ! deep1  
middle1 or upp] regions ( !  wat]s1 on !
 sea-%ore1 9 ! l[-ly+ pla9s1 on sunny   
slopes  or m\nta9-tops1 ! g5ealogical   
tree gave rise to m & m  div]sifi$      
organisms4 ,pres5t-day t]re/rial        
humanity is ! la/  fl[]1 ! la/ fruit (  
?is tree4 ,b all ?is life is t]re/rial  
f root to summit1 & on e planet ! tree  
is diff]5t4 ,life is  ,neptunian on     
,neptune1 ,uranian on ,uranus1          
,saturnian on ,saturn1 ,sirian  on !    
sy/em ( ,sirius1 ,arcturian on t (      

,arcturus1 appropriate to  e m$ium1 or  
r1 m /rictly speak+1 produc$ & develop$ 
by ea* _w accord+ to its physical /ate &
 9 h>mony ) t  primeval law :i* all     
nature obeys3 ! law ( progress4    ,?is 
imm5se symphony ( life1 adapt$ to e _w  
accord+ to  conditions ( space & "t1    
develops l a univ]sal *oir1 !  p>ts (   
:i* are sep>at$ f ea* o!r by des]ts (   
space &  by et]nities ( "t4 ,x appe>s to
 u discont9u\s because we c  only he> "o
 note at a "t4 ,b 9 reality !re is no   
absolute  sep>ation ei!r 9 space or "t4 
,jupit] w n be inhabit$ by  ?9k+ be+s = 
millions ( ye>s to come2 f ! po9t ( view
  ( ! ,absolute1 ! int]val is n great]  
?an t :i* sep>ates  ye/]day f to-day4   
,all ?is happ5s & accompli%es itself    
naturally1 & z if ,god  did n exi/4 ,&  
inde$ ! be+ :om ! inhabitants ( !  ,e>? 
h hi!rto def9$ z ,god does n exi/4 ,!   
,buddha ( !  ,*9ese1 ! ,osiris ( !      
,egyptians1 ! ,jehovah ( ! ,hebrews1  ! 
,ormuzd & ,ahriman ( ! ,p]sians1 !      
,teutates ( ! ,gauls1  ! ,jupit] ( !    

,greeks1 8,god ! ,fa!r0 or 8,god ! ,son0
 ( !  ,*ri/ians1 or ! great ,allah ( !  
,mussulman1 are human conceptions1      
p]sonifications inv5t$ by man 9 :i* he  
has embodi$ n only 8  highe/ aspirations
 & 8 sublime/ virtues1 b also 8 grosse/ 
prev>ications & uglie/ vices4    ,man   
has conceiv$ z ,god 9 8 own lik5ess4 ,x 
is 9 ! "n (  ?is pret5d$ ,god t mon>*s &
 pontiffs h 9 all ! ages &  "u cov] (   
all religions b\nd humanity 9 a slav]y f
 :i* x  has n yet fre$ itself4 ,x is 9 !
 "n ( ?is ,god :o 8protects  ,g]many10  
8protects ,engl&10 8protects ,france10  
8protects ,italy10  8protects ,russia10 
8protects ,turkey10 protects all !      
divisions &  all ! b>b>ities1 t ev5 9   
our own day ! s-call$ civilis$  p ( our 
planet h be5 arm$ 9 w> aga9/ ea* o!r &1 
l mad dogs1 h hurl$ !mselves ^u "o ano!r
 9 a conflict  ov] :i* falsehood &      
hypocrisy1 seat$ on ! /eps ( ! ?rones1  
figure a 8,god ( ,armies0 z presid+1 a  
,god :o blesses ! dagg]s  & plunges 8   
h&s 9 ! smok+ blood ( victims to m>k !  

=eheads ( k+s4 ,x is to ?is ,god t alt>s
 are rais$ & ,te  ,deums are *ant$4 ,x  
is 9 ! names ( ! ,gods ( ,olympus t !   
,greeks condemn$ ,socrates to dr9k !    
hemlock2 x is 9 ! "n (  ,jehovah t !    
high-prie/s & ,ph>isees crucifi$ ,jesus4
 ,x is 9  ! "n ( ,jesus1 himself become 
,god1 t fanaticism ignom9i\sly  condemn$
 to ! /ake m5 l ,giordano ,bruno1       
,van9i1 ti5ne ,dolet1  ,john ,huss1     
,savon>ola1 & s _m o!r h]oic victims2 t 
!  ,inquisition ord]$ ,galileo to belie 
8 consci5ce2 t ?\s&s  & ?\s&s (         
un=tunates accus$ ( wit*craft 7 burnt   
alive  9 popul> c]emonies2 t ,ravaillac 
/abb$ ,h5ry ! ,f\r?4 ,x  0 ) ! express  
b5$iction ( ,pope ,gregory ! ,?irte5? t 
! but*]y ( ,/4 ,b>?olomew dr5*$ ,p>is 9 
blood & ! free  ?9k]s ( ! re=mation 7   
*as$ out ( ,france2 x is = !            
ext]m9ation ( suppos$ h]esies t _m ?\s&s
 ( brave p  h be5 burnt alive2 x 0 )    
cross 9 h& t ! peaceful  natives (      
,am]ica 7 savagely massacr$ by !        
,spani>ds2 x 0 9  ! names ( ! gods      

wor%ipp$ 9 ,rome t ! ,*ri/ian m>tyrs    
suff]$ ! mo/ awful tortures2 x 0 9 ! "n 
( ! ,*ri/ian  ,god t ! fanatics1 l$ by  
,bi%op ,/4 ,cyril1 /on$ ! beautiful  &  
le>n$ ,hypatia1 & t 9 lat] times !      
,bi%op ( ,beauvais  l$ ! virg9 (        
,domremy to ! /ake2 x 0 9 ! "n ( !      
,bible t ! k+s ( ,god's 8*os5 p0        
savagely ext]m9at$  _! neighb\rs2 x 0 9 
! "n ( ,allah t ! /&>ds (  ,mahomet     
cov]$ ,europe ) armies ( assass9s & t   
ev5 n[  millions ( fanatics are ready to
 rise aga9/ ! ,europeans on !  cry ( a  
8,holy ,w>10 t ,mahomet ! ,second pa9t$ 
! walls ( ,/4  ,sophia ) ! blood ( 8    
/e$1 t ,g5ghis ,khan & ,tam]lane  m>k$  
_! pa?s ( conque/ ) pyramids ( sev]$    
heads2 x is  to ! glory ( ^! imag9>y    
deities t ev5 n[ s _m &  useless s\ls   
condemn !mselves to /range p5ances 9 !  
conv5ts1  t ! ,russian /ropzi mutilate  
!mselves1 t ! h[l+ &  danc+ ,d]vi%es    
wri! 9 mad contortions1 t c]ta9 sects   
kill  _! babies & dr9k _! blood4        
,religi\s w>s h be5 ! mo/  horrible &   

odi\s ( all1 & ! mo/ ins5sate4 ,p h     
kill$  ea* o!r = ! sake ( a ^w or its   
int]pretation1 = ! sake  ( an adjective1
 = ! 8consub/antiality0 ( ! ,fa!r & !   
,son  ( ! ,tr9ity1 = 8homo\sios0 aga9/  
8homoi\sios10 = a ?\s&  o!r crot*ets    
plac$ above ! mo/ elem5t>y reason &     
proclaim$  articles ( fai? 9 ! "n ( a   
,god6 ,?is symbol ( ! oppressions  (    
peoples1 ( murd] & robb]y1 ?is infam\s  
be+1 does n exi/1  & has nev] exi/$4    
,9 mak+ a god 9 _! lik5ess1 z mis]able z
 !mselves1 m5  resemble monkeys1 :o1    
rais+ !mselves to ! idea ( ,god1 w\ld   
figure him z a ,gr& ,ape1 dogs :o w\ld  
make him a ,gr& ,dog1 fleas  :o w\ld    
repres5t him 9 ! %ape ( a ,gr& ,flea4 ,b
 x does  n foll[ t1 because ?is inf]ior 
god does n exi/1 !re=e  ! univ]se goes  
on )\t ?\ght1 )\t a de/9y1 & )\t  laws4 
,if ! believ]s ( all religions are 9    
error1 ^? :o d5y  ! exi/5ce ( any       
intellectual pr9ciple 9 ! _w are equally
  mi/ak54 ,yes1 ! evolution ( nature    
takes place )\t ! acts (  an            

an?ropomorphic deity1 )\t malice & )\t  
miracles4 ,! only  "n :i* w\ld fit ,god 
w\ld be ! ,unkn[able4 ,god rema9s hidd5 
by  ! v p]fection ( nature's me*anism4  
,9 a heal?y body we d n  feel ! passage 
( ! blood ?r\gh ! he>t1 nor !           
circulation  ( blood 9 ! bra91 nor t ( !
 air 9 ! lungs1 nor !  liv]1 nor !      
kidneys1 nor ! /oma*1 nor ! b[els4 ,!   
att5tion  is n direct$ to ^? organs     
unless !y "w badly4 ,! _w is  s arrang$ 
t !y appe> to "w by !mselves1 & t is its
  div9e quality4 ,ev]y?+ functions      
regul>ly by means ( a p]fect            
con/ruction1 ! ge>+ ( :i* is invisible &
 sil5t1 b :i*  we c only judge by !     
inf9itesimal fraction ( :i* we =m a  "p1
 & ! au?or ( :i* is a transc5d5tal      
?\ght1 imp5etrable  to mank9d4 ,=ce     
gov]ns matt]2 m5s agitat molem2 b ,?\ght
  guides nature4    ,yes1 ! supreme be+ 
is unkn[able4 ,! human m9d _c compreh5d 
! inf9ite1 et]nal1 immutable _s1 !      
organis+ p[] ( t  ,all ( :i* ! ,e>? &   
,man are b p>ticles z imp]fect z !y  are

 m$iocre4 ,?is ,inf9ite is to !         
infantile deity imag9$ by man  z !      
midday sun is to ! muddy obscurity ( a  
mole-burr[ "u  ! roots ( mead[ grass4 ,8
 exi/5ce is prov$ by ! univ]sal         
organisation4 ,ev]y?+ is organis$1 f !  
humble/ leaf to !  _w sy/em4 ,an        
invisible1 immat]ial elem5t ( a         
spiritual nature1  z yet imp]fectly     
reveal$ by our means ( inve/igation1    
manife/s  itself )9 u & ar\nd u4 ,?is   
spiritual pr9ciple %\ld be  rev]$ z     
envelop+ ! _w & enfold+ u4 ,b ! cl]gy ( 
all  religions1 ( all times & ( all     
c\ntries1 h always monopolis$  ! idea ( 
,god & appropriat$ x to _! exclusive &  
intol]ant  purpose ( dom9ation4 ,:5 !y  
speak ( ,god1 !y mean _! own  ,god4 ,!  
free spirits :o d n ackn[l$ge _!        
figure-head are  treat$ z a!i/s & hat$ &
 p]secut$ z su*4 ,!y w n  admit t "o may
 be a ,dei/ & yet anticl]ical4 ,b !y are
 n  too un9tellig5t to "k t x is an     
inju/ice1 a /upidity1 & a  lie to treat 
z a!i/s ^? ?9k]s :o d5y ! div9ity (     

,jesus4  ,! p :o d>e to r$uce ,god to _!
 size & ev5 to put ,him 9  _! pocket are
 ! greate/ blasphem]s4    ,x is /range t
 ,man1 /ill 9 a co>se1 savage1 & b>b>\s 
/ate1  h>dly em]g$ f ! primitive %ell ( 
ignorance1 incapable (  kn[+ ev5 8 own  
body1 h>dly able to spell ! great book (
 !  univ]se1 %\ld h consid]$ himself    
capable ( describ+ ,god4 ,he  does n "k 
8 own little ant-heap & he pret5ds to   
discov] !  unkn[able4 ,at a "t :5 no?+ 0
 kn[n1 :5 a/ronomy1 physics1  *emi/ry1  
natural hi/ory1 & an?ropology 7 z yet   
unborn1 :5  ! feeble & me&]+ human m9d 0
 /ill surr\nd$ by illusions  & errors1  
human audacity conceiv$ ! s-call$       
religions & !  gods plac$ at _! heads4  
,t ,confucius1 ,buddha1 ,moses1         
,socrates1 ,jesus1 or ,mahomet %\ld  h  
/riv5 to give to mank9d a code ( morals 
de/9$ to deliv]  !m f b>b>ism & to tea* 
!m ! idea ( good1 su* ef=ts  &          
a*ievem5ts _c b receive ! homage &      
admiration ( all  :o value !            
intellectual & moral progress (         

humanity4 ,t  ! f\nd]s & organis]s (    
religi\s rites %\ld place at !  head ( e
 cult an ideal1 an inviolable be+ 9 ^:  
"n !y  pret5d to gov]n1 ev5 t c be      
recognis$ z a "w ( social  utility1 ( a 
value n ris+ above ! worldly /&>d1 &    
hav+  no object beyond ! g5]al good (   
man & societies4 ,b t  ^? gods inv5t$ by
 man %\ld be consid]$ z really exi/+1  &
 9 an absolutely imag9>y heav5 :i* p]i%$
 9 ! fir/  conque/s ( a/ronomy1 t !y    
%\ld h be51 & are /ill1  ador$ by a     
c]ta9 portion ( ! human race1 & t ev5 9 
our  "t legislators ( all nations d>e to
 base _! politics on div9e  "r1 to %[ ! 
8f+] ( ,god0 9 ! mo/ mon/r\s plagues ( !
  social body1 & decorate _!            
battle-flags ) a local provid5ce1  z 9 !
 "t ( ,joan ( ,arc1 ( ,con/ant9e1 or (  
,david--t is  ! %ock+ ana*ronism1 a     
mixture ( impo/ure & cr$ulity1 (        
hypocrisy & /upidity unwor?y ( ! era (  
s9c]e & positive  rese>* 9 :i* we live1 
& :i* %\ld load ! function>ies  :o live 
at ! exp5se ( su* a sy/em ) ! contempt (

 e  indep5d5t man4    ,def9itions are   
mislead+4 ,7 pagans l ,socrates1 ,plato1
  ,ari/otle1 ,m>cus ,aurelius1 ,plot9us1
 n m spiritual ?an ,pope  ,alex&] !     
,six? or ,c>d9al ,dubois1 :o 7 true     
a!i/s8    ,! se>* = ! nature ( ! ,fir/  
,cause--,i d n say !  8k ( ,god10 :i*   
w\ld be an expression wor?y ( a         
8!ologian0 & absurd 9 itself--b simply !
 se>* = !  ,absolute ,be+1 = ! orig9 ( !
 en]gy :i* su/a9s1 animates1  & gov]ns !
 univ]se1 = ! intellig5t =ce :i* acts   
ev]y:]e & p]petually ?r\gh inf9ity &    
et]nity & gives  rise to ! appe>ances   
:i* /rike our eyes & are /udi$ by our   
sci5ce--?is se>*1 ,i say1 c\ld n be     
und]tak5 nor ev5  prop]ly conceiv$ be=e 
! fir/ discov]ies ( a/ronomy & mod]n    
physics1 t is to say1 be=e !            
inve/igations ( ,galileo1 ,kepl]1  &    
,newton4 ,x is only two c5turies ago t !
 purely religi\s  idea1 free f          
idolatries1 f all sorts ( my?ologies1 ( 
errors  & sup]/itions produc$ by        
primitive ignorance--x is only dur+  !  

la/ two c5turies t x 0 possible = ?is   
idea to arise  out ( mod]n sci5tific    
evolution4 ,all ! religions exi/+ at !  
pres5t day h be5 f\nd$ dur+ ages (      
ignorance1 :5 we knew  no?+ ab\t ! e>?  
or ! heav5s4 ,true religion1 i4e4 !     
union  ( free spirits 9 ! se>* = tru?1 c
 only be ! "w ( an  epo* l ours1 9 :i*  
"s c\rage\s & dis9t]e/$ spirits  free f 
! hypocrisy ( false doctr9es1 yet )\t   
fall+ into  ! pu]ile a!ism ( sup]ficial 
m9ds :i* only see ! out]  %ell1 w       
s9c]ely & freely apply all bran*es (    
sci5ce to !  se>* = ! intimate          
con/itution ( ! univ]se & ( ! human     
be+4 ,! future w tea* u4 ,to-day we "k b
 little2 we are  only beg9n+ to le>n4 ,!
 unkn[n ,god conceiv$ by ! ?9k]s1  by   
,socrates1 by ,plato1 by ,m>cus         
,aurelius1 by ,voltaire 7z ard5t a      
,dei/ z he 0 a viol5t anticl]ical71 by  
,newton1 by ,desc>tes1 by  ,l9n1 by     
,eul]1 by ,sp9oza1 by ,kant1 by all pure
 ,dei/s1 surpasses  9 8 gr& imm5sity all
 ! poor inv5tions ( ! cl]gy ( all       

d5om9ations4 ,"o _c see ! creator ( !   
hundr$ million  suns ( ! ,milky ,way    
look+ d[n ^u a small village 9 ,judea & 
inspir+ ,judi? to s$uce ,holoph]nes ) ! 
object ( cutt+ (f  8 head aft] betray+  
him ) h] c>esses2 or conf]r+ on ,jo%ua  
! p[] ( arre/+ ! movem5t ( ! sol> sy/em 
to give him  "t to ext]m9ate ! besieg]s 
( ,gibeon6 ,:at sort ( op9ion _h  su*   
writ]s ( ! ,supreme ,be+8 ,& :at op9ion 
( him is /ill  held by ^? prea*]s :o    
cont9ue to tea* ?is 8,holy ,scripture08 
,! ,inf9ite _c be compreh5d$ by !       
,f9ite4    ,he :o has made ! t\r ( ! _w1
 :o has visit$ ,europe1 ,asia1  ,africa1
 & ! ,am]icas1 reasons 9 a mann] wid]   
beyond comp>ison  ) ! /ate ( humanity   
?an he :o has nev] left 8 c\ntry4       
,betwe5 ! n>r[1 incomplete1 & false     
ideas ( ! latt] & !  judici\s1 exact1 & 
j appreciations ( ! =m] !re is !        
diff]5ce ( night & day4    ,un=tunately 
we prea* to ! deaf4 ,= "o man :o reasons
 !re  are a hundr$ :o d n4 ,! /ruggle   
aga9/ ! dom9ation ( !  spiritual        

directors is v platonic & ! cl]gy       
despise x4 ,!  ,*ur* has organis$       
m>riage1 bir?1 & dea? into c]emonies :i*
  s$uce ! imag9ation & please ! wom54   
,comp>e ! civil m>riage  & ! religi\s   
m>riage2 ! =m] cold1 dull1 insipid2 !   
latt]  impressive & attractive ) ! alt> 
g>l&$ ) fl[]s1 &  ! en*antm5t ( ! music 
:i* makes ! creator desc5d into  ! bosom
 ( ! sp\se1 8,v5i1 ,creator ,spiritus40 
,x w be  c5turies be=e ! religi\s =m (  
m>riage is entirely replac$  by ! civil4
 ,a c]ta9 free-?9k+ fa!r refra9$ f hav+ 
8  f\r boys baptiz$ s z to leave !m     
entire lib]ty ( consci5ce4  ,all f\r got
 baptiz$ on ! eve ( _! m>riage z _!     
brides  wi%$ to be m>ri$ 9 *ur*4 ,fai?  
or conv5tion1 t is h[ !  _w goes--& !   
prie/s smile at ! simplicity ( ! layman4
    ,:at is ,sunday = mo/ ,*ri/ians b a 
day = f9e clo!s8    ,tradition has      
creat$ a di/+ui%$ society (t5 p]meat$  )
 hypocrisy1 b to belong to :i* is 8good 
=m40 ,anci5t  errors are pres]v$ )\t be+
 cr$it$4 ,conv5tion gov]ns !            

8well-dispos$0 p4    ,indep5d5ce ( _s is
 ! r>e/ ( ph5om5a4 ,all religions are   
sacr$ & respectable if !y raise our     
?\ghts to a high] ideal1  :5 !y console 
! afflict$ & relieve mis]y4 ,b let !m n 
be exploit$1 & let !re be no kill+ 9 _! 
"n6 ,ideal &  s5tim5t are "p ( ! doma9 (
 ?\ght1 ) z mu* "r z  ,reason4 ,x is a  
mi/ak5 policy to suppress !m1 & x plays 
into  ! h&s ( reaction>ies1 :o pr(it by 
! errors4 ,to claim t  sci5ce           
demon/rates ! non-exi/5ce ( ,god & ( !  
s\l is an  unsci5tific argum5t4 ,an     
education )\t ideals or responsibility1 
:i* neglects consci5ce & proclaims      
rights )\t duties1 is z  false z t ( !  
,cate*ism :i* tea*es ! creation ( ,adam 
& ,eve1 ! temptation ( ! s]p5t1 !       
univ]sal deluge1 !  inc>nation ( ,god1 !
 ,virg9 ,bir?1 ! resurrection & asc5sion
 (  ,jesus to ! "r h& ( ,god ! ,fa!r1 or
 ! resurrection ( our  bodies 7articles 
( fai? :i* _c1 )\t h]esy1 be int]pret$  
z symbols1 b mu/ be tak5 lit]ally71 & x 
is socially m  dang]\s1 z we see by its 

fruits = ! la/ ?irty ye>s1 !  gradual   
increase ( crime & ! rule ( ! ,apa*es & 
an>*i/s  ( all sorts4 ,:y n foll[ ! way 
( enlight5$ wisdom8 ,if !  sociali/s 7  
p]meat$ ) spiritual tru?1 !y w\ld hold !
  _w2 !y w\ld cont9ue ! "w ( _!         
pr$ecessor1 ,jesus ,*ri/1  9 ! light & )
 ! positive me?ods ( mod]n sci5ce4 ,!   
false  gods inv5t$ by man1 ! leg5ds1 !  
sup]/itions1 ! errors1 lies1  &         
hypocrisies1 are n necess>y to secure a 
place 9 ! educational  sy/em = ! s5se ( 
hon\r1 ( duty1 ( ju/ice1 & ( p]sonal    
consci5ce2 & ?is is (t5 =gott5 by mod]n 
educators :o h  suppress$ ev]y?+ )\t    
putt+ any?+ 9 its place4    ,let u h no 
sect>ies ( any k9d6    ,humanity gr[s   
up4 ,we are no long] *ildr54      ,at ! 
di/ance f ! ,e>? :i* sugge/$ su*        
reflections1  ! di/ance ( ! planet      
,neptune1 ! f>!/ limit ( ! sol>  sy/em  
kn[n at pres5t to a/ronomy1 our judgm5t 
on ! works (  man is q diff]5t f t :i*  
satisfi$ u be=e we left  our c\ntry4 ,we
 contemplate ! sol> sy/em 9 all its     

gr&eur1 we  recognise ! smallness ( our 
own little planet comp>$ ) ! va/  space 
9 :i* x moves1 & ! %ort "t ( its        
revolution r\nd !  ,sun1 & we feel t our
 ord9>y t]re/rial e/imates h hi!rto  be5
 bas$ ^u ^? n>r[ & limit$ s5tim5ts      
circumscrib$ by  ! horizon ( ! *ur* t[]4
 ,we free ourselves f !m & f9d          
ourselves 9 a position to judge !       
imm5sity ( creation ) great]  lib]ty1   
indep5d5ce1 & integrity4 ,b f> z        
,neptune is f our  t]re/rial home1 x    
/ill =ms1 l ourselves1 "p ( ! sol>      
family4 ,o!r planets /ill unkn[n to     
t]re/rial a/ronomy gravitate  beyond    
,neptune1 ! fir/ ( !m probably at a     
di/ance #dh times z  great z ! di/ance  
betwe5 ! ,e>? & ! ,sun1 t is to say1 at 
#g1ejj million miles1 9 an imm5se orbit 
:i* x takes at lea/ #ccj  ye>s to       
accompli%4 ,! cele/ial voyage :i* ,i h  
begun takes me  beyond ! out]mo/ regions
 ( ! sol> sy/em4 ,fl++ myself into  !   
inf9ite heav5s1 ,i arriv$ at ano!r sy/em
 by p5etrat+ into  ! cosmic doma9 ( a   

/>4                         7#e7 ,,at   
,,tw5ty-,,five ,,billion ,,miles      ,e
 /> is a sun %9+ by its own light4 ,!   
,sun :i* illum9ates  u has #a1cjj1jjj   
times ! volume ( ! ,e>? & weighs        
#ccc1jjj times  z mu*4 ,! dim5sions & ! 
masses ( ! />s are ( ! same  ord]4 ,a   
l>ge numb] ( !m are mu* m volum9\s & _! 
masses  are /ill m consid]able4         
,:atev] /> we approa*1 we f9d 9 x a sun 
l a bl9d+  furnace4 ,^! innum]able      
c5tres ( light1 heat1 electricity1 &    
gravitational attraction only appe> to u
 z small lum9\s po9ts  on acc\nt ( !    
imm5se abysses :i* sep>ate u f !m4 ,!   
ne>e/ sun1 our ne>e/ /> 9 space1 burns  
at #bgf1jjj times !  di/ance :i*        
sep>ates u f ! ,sun1 i4e4 #be billion   
miles f  "h4    ,travell+ ) ! spe$ ( an 
express tra9 flung into space at #dj    
miles an h\r t[>ds ! ne>e/ /> )\t any   
/oppage or any  sl[+ d[n1 we %\ld n     
arrive at our de/9ation until aft] an   
un9t]rupt$ flight ( #ge million ye>s4   
,travell+ ) ! spe$ ( ! swifte/          

projectile :i* ! mo/  +5i\s man-kill]s h
 yet con/ruct$1 a spe$ :i* we c reckon  
z d\ble t ( s\nd1 or #b1bjj feet p]     
second1 we %\ld yet  require a million &
 a half ye>s to cov] t di/ance4    ,if t
 /> 7 to bur/ ) a t]rific explosion1 &  
if ! noise  ( ! cata/rophe c\ld be      
transmitt$ to u at ! ord9>y spe$ (  s\nd
 9 air1 we %\ld n he> t explosion until 
?ree million  ye>s _h elaps$ aft] its   
occurr5ce4    ,we %\ld see ! /> %9+     
/eadily 9 ! sky = f\r ye>s aft]  !      
cata/rophe :i* _h de/roy$ x1 because    
light travels ?r\gh  space ) a spe$ (   
#ahf1jjj miles a second1 & x w\ld h to  
travel ) ?is con/ant velocity m ?an f\r 
ye>s be=e rea*+  u4    ,se5 f t di/ance1
 our brilliant ,sun is r$uc$ to ! rank (
  a simple />4 ,! planets :i* gravitate 
ar\nd x1 ! ,e>?1  ,v5us1 ,m>s1 ,jupit]1 
,saturn1 & _! bro!rs ( ! sol> family1   
are cr[d$ up aga9/ x by ! p]spective ( !
 di/ance & are  invisibly lo/ 9 its     
rays4    ,consid]$ at t di/ance 9 !     
sid]eal univ]se1 ^! prov9ces  ( ! sol>  

empire are recognis$ z insignificant ev5
 by ! mo/  optimi/ic _s4 ,ev5 if !y did 
n exi/ at all1 ! suns (  inf9ite space  
w\ld none ! less %$ _! rays ( life &    
light  all ar\nd4 ,our planet1 :i* to u 
seems s important1 becomes a            
microscopic po9t impossible to discov]  
by means ( s5ses su* z  ours1 & its     
hi/ory told at t di/ance becomes l !    
flight (  a dragon-fly or ev5 less1 s9ce
 we %\ld nev] suspect its exi/5ce  if we
 did n "k x4 ,x is at su* mom5ts        
especially t !  pret5sions ( ,pontiffs &
 ! dogmatic assurance ( _! adepts %[  =?
 9 all _! absurdity4    ,i felt         
transport$ into ! sy/em ( t />1 ! ne>e/ 
( all  ^? ^: di/ances h be5 measur$1 a  
/> belong+ to !  con/ellation ( !       
,c5taur2 x is ! ,alpha ( t con/ellation4
  ,?is sy/em is curi\s & m int]e/+ ?an  
ours4 ,in/ead ( a  s+le sun correspond+ 
to t :i* %9es ^u u1 two tw9 suns        
gravitate "o r\nd ! o!r 9 a "t equall+  
#ha ( our ye>s1  & sep>at$ f ea* o!r by 
a di/ance ( #b1jjj million miles4  ,^!  

tw9 suns are bo? ( consid]able          
brightness 7fir/ & second  magnitude1   
se5 f "h71 & greatly sup]ior to ! c5tral
 he>?  ( our own sy/em4 ,planets        
circulate ar\nd ea* ( ^! lum9>ies  "u _!
 protect+ w+s1 & receive f _! radiation 
!  s\rces ( _! f]tility & _! life4 ,!y  
are illum9at$ by two  diff]5t suns1     
sometimes unit$ 9 ! same sky1 sometimes 
sep>at$  & alt]nat+1 diff]+ 9 magnitude 
& brightness accord+ to !  v>iation ( ! 
di/ances 9 consequ5ce ( ! revolutions ( 
^!  worlds r\nd _! respective c5tres4   
,^! are v diff]5t conditions ( exi/5ce f
 ^? :i*  gov]n ! de/9ies ( ! ,e>? & ( ! 
planets ( our gr\p4 ,two  suns6 ,:at    
curi\s alt]nations ( seasons6 ,:at      
v>iations 9 !  climates6 ,:at           
trans=mations 9 ! d\btlessly v rapid    
*anges  ( _! vitality6 ,:at             
complications ( _! cal5d>s1 9 !         
succession ( _! ye>s1 _! summ]s & w9t]s1
 _! days &  nights6 ,! sole fact ( !    
exi/5ce ( su* a sy/em1 relatively  ne>  
to u & already well-kn[n to t]re/rial   

a/ronom]s1 te/ifies  to ! inf9ite v>iety
 dissem9at$ 9 ! />ry dep?s ( ! cosmos4  
,:at multiplicity ( manife/ations ( !   
div]se =ces  ( nature mu/ h be5 produc$ 
9 ?is weal? ( sol>                      
developm5t--manife/ations /range to !   
ph5om5a /udi$ on  our planet1 & :i* are 
d\btlessly felt & appreciat$ by means  (
 s5ses diff]+ absolutely f ^? exi/+ 9   
t]re/rial  organisms1 s5ses awak5$1     
det]m9$1 & develop$ 9 ^? di/ant  worlds 
by _! own natural =ces4    ,on worlds   
illum9at$1 heat$1 & regulat$ by two suns
 life c only  h appe>$ & organis$ itself
 9 =ms v diff]5t f ^?  on ,e>?1 hav+ no 
d\bt an alt]nat+ d\ble life1 s]v$ by o!r
  modes ( p]ception1 o!r organs1 & o!r  
s5ses4 ,! ?9k]1 !  a/ronom]1 !          
physiologi/1 c no long] reg>d t]re/rial 
life z  ! type ( all life4 ,all we c\ld 
le>n1 /udy1 or "k on ,e>? w  nev] be m  
?an an inf9itesimal & absolutely        
insuffici5t "p  ( ! imm5se reality      
embodi$ 9 ! innum]able creations ( !    
,inf9ite4    ,yet x is a po9t :i* mu/ be

 insi/$ ^u be=e pursu+ our  t]re/rial   
inve/igations fur!r1 t :atev] may be !  
v>iety  ( /ell> sy/ems1 ! diff]5ces (   
volume1 temp]ature1 d5sity1             
illum9ation1 electrification1 movem5t1  
*emical con/itution1 etc41  ( ! v>i\s   
globes :i* p ! imm5sity ( ! univ]se1 all
  ^! worlds are l9k$ among/ !mselves by 
! same invisible &  impond]able ,p[] :i*
 comb9es !m all 9 a network ( extreme   
s5sitiv5ess4 ,! prodigi\s ext5t ( !     
di/ances :i* sep>ate  ^! sy/ems "o f !  
o!r does n prev5t _! be+  connect$      
toge!r by "s sort ( mat]nal l9k4 ,!     
di/ance f  ! ,e>? to ! ,moon is #bdj1jjj
 miles4 ,! ,moon acts con/antly ^u  all 
! molecules ( our globe & ^u ! entire   
,e>?1 & e  "o ( u weighs a little less  
:5 t body %9es ov] our heads  ?an :5 x  
is on ! horizon4 ,! di/ance f ! ,sun to 
!  ,e>? is #ib million miles2 ! ,sun    
makes our planet move ) a spe$          
correspond+ to t di/ance1 & ! ,e>? 9 its
 turn displaces  ! ,sun 9 ! heav5s4 ,!  
di/ance f ! ,sun to ,neptune is ov]     

#b1ejj million miles4 ,! c5tral globe   
acts ^u t di/ant _w &  makes x revolve  
r\nd x1 & on ! o!r h& ,neptune makes !  
,sun  revolve r\nd _! common c5tre (    
gravity1 :i* is at a di/ance  ( #add1jjj
 miles f ! c5tre ( ! ,sun4 ,jupit]      
displaces !  ,sun by #dfj1jjj miles1 &  
,saturn by #be1jjj miles4 ,! ,moon      
di/urbs  ! ,e>? to ! ext5t ( #b1ijj     
miles4 ,at ! same "t ,jupit] acts  ^u ! 
,e>?1 ! ,e>? ^u ,v5us1 & s on4 ,on      
acc\nt ( ?is  reciprocal influ5ce ( all 
! heav5ly bodies ^u ea* o!r1 n  a s+le  
po9t c rema9 9 repose = an in/ant1 & no 
heav5ly  body c ev] come back to ! place
 x previ\sly occupi$4 ,all t  we call   
matt] is 9 p]petual motion "u !         
irresi/ible p[] (  invisible1           
intangible1 & impond]able =ce4    ,we h 
"h a fact ( capital importance1 !       
consid]ation ( :i*  mu/ always be       
associat$ ) ! conception we c =m ( !    
real  nature ( ! univ]se4 ,we h se5 j n[
 t ! di/ance :i*  sep>ates our ,sun f ! 
/> ,alpha ,c5tauri is #be billion miles4

 ,b  ?is di/ance is trav]s$ by          
gravitational attraction4 ,9 reality !  
two suns are n absolutely sep>at$4      
,!y "k ea* o!r1 !y feel ea* o!r's       
attraction1 & !y feel  ! attraction (   
all ! o!r suns ( inf9ite space4 ,!y bo? 
roam  ab\t1 our own ,sun ) a spe$       
calculat$ at ab\t #bjj million miles  p]
 annum & ,alpha ,c5tauri ) a spe$ (     
approximately #djj million4  ,! o!r suns
 ( :i* we "k ! di/ance & ! movem5t ru%  
on ) simil> spe$s4 ,"s ( !m fly )       
incomp>ably great]  velocities1 :i*     
atta9 #bjj miles a second1 #aa1jjj miles
 p] m9ute1  #fjj1jjj miles an h\r1 #ae  
million p] day1 & #e or #f ?\s& million 
miles p] annum1 v]itable />ry           
projectiles ( ! heav5ly fields4    ,b   
our :ole sid]eal univ]se itself is mov+ 
) its hundr$  million />s ?r\gh !       
imm5sity ( inf9ite space4 ,! movem5ts   
:i* we measure are relative & n         
absolute4    ,our sun & its companions  
are driv5 ?r\gh space by "s initial  =ce
 & by ! comb9$ attraction ( ! innum]able

 />s ( our  visible univ]se4 ,:e!r ?is  
=ce ( attraction is a prop]ty  inh]5t 9 
e atom ( matt]1 :e!r ^! !oretical atoms 
by :i* we expla9 ! appe>ance ( matt] 9  
ord] to acc\nt  = obs]v$ ph5om5a are    
c5tres ( =ce1 ma!matical po9ts (        
conc5tration1 or nodes & cross+s (      
e!real vibrations &  undulations1 ! fact
 :i* dom9ates our analytical            
contemplation  ( ! univ]se is t !       
innum]able worlds :i* p space  are n    
isolat$ f ea* o!r1 b are unit$ by a     
p]petual &  inde/ructible l9k4    ,"h we
 h a new & important conception ( !     
unity ( nature4 ,&  :at is equally wor?y
 ( att5tion is t ?is sort (             
communication  betwe5 ! worlds _c be    
def9$ bett] ?an by ! ^w  8attraction40  
,attraction is !re=e ! supreme law among
 ! worlds1 among atoms1  & among be+s4  
,! />s :i* gravitate 9 ! dep? ( space1 !
  ,e>? :i* revolves 9 ! sol> rays1 !    
,moon :i* raises ! tides  on ! surface (
 ! ocean1 ! molecules ( /one or iron :i*
 cl+  toge!r by molecul> attraction1 !  

plant :i* pu%es its roots into  ! n\ri%+
 soil or raises its /em 9 response to   
light1 ! fl[]  :i* turns t[>ds ! ,sun1 !
 bird :i* flies f bran* to bran*  seek+ 
a place = its ne/1 ! night+ale :i* )    
incomp>able  song *>ms ! sweet mi/ress (
 ! night1 ! man ^: he>t is  tr\bl$ at ! 
appe>ance ( a belov$ be+1 ! s\nd ( a    
belov$  voice1 or a fond memory--all ^! 
be+s1 all ^! ?+s obey !  same law1 t (  
univ]sal attraction :i* 9 div]se =ms    
gov]ns  all nature & guides x--:i!r8    
,t[>ds yet ano!r attraction1 to  !      
attraction ( ! unkn[n6    ,amid !       
ignorance ( ! ,absolute :i* surr\nds u 9
 spite ( !  manifold1 c\rage\s1 &       
p]sev]+ ef=ts ( sci5ce1 ! fact  ( !     
exi/5ce ( su* a =ce unit+ all worlds    
toge!r mu/ be  appreciat$ at its prop]  
value4 ,x w\ld be impossible to         
exagg]ate  its importance4 ,let u !n n  
=get x3 ! worlds are 9 mutual           
communication by means ( attraction4    
7#f7 ,,at ,,sixty ,,?\s& ,,billion      
,,miles      ,cont9u+ my cele/ial       

voyage1 ,i left ! sy/em ( ,alpha        
,c5tauri to  p5etrate into ! />ry dep?s 
( ! ,s\!rn ,cross4 ,i trav]s$  sunny    
%ores & des]ts ( night1 pass+ f sun to  
sun1 f sy/em  to sy/em1 fly+ pa/ />s :i*
 bl9d$ me "o mom5t & !n 7  engulf$ by ! 
inf9ite night4 ,! normal /ate ( !       
univ]se is  night & sil5ce4 ,!re is no  
light except r\nd ! suns & planets2  !re
 is no s\nd b 9 _! imm$iate             
neighb\rhood1 9 _!  atmosph]e4 ,9 skirt+
 /ell> gr\ps1 ,i notic$ enorm\s globes  
roll+ 9 a /range light1 & ,i (t5 seem$  
to feel electric %ocks1  magnetic       
di/urbances1 c]ta9 indef9able s5sations 
:i* w>n$ me1  by a sort ( malaise1 t su*
 sph]es are unsuitable = our mode (     
exi/5ce1 & t !y are inhabit$ by be+s ^: 
p]ceptions1  feel+s1 & ?\ghts diff] f   
ours4 ,i rememb] p>ticul>ly hav+  se5 9 
! c\rse ( my flight a gr\p ( _m-hu$     
worlds illum9at$  by ?ree suns1 "o a    
ruby r$1 "o an em]ald gre51 & a ?ird a  
sapphire blue1 & s s+ul>ly illum9at$ by 
?is false light--false  to u1 b natural 

to !m--t ,i ask$ myself :e!r ,i 0 n !   
victim ( an illusion & :e!r su*         
creations really exi/1 ?\gh1  inde$1    
hav+ obs]v$ ^? well-kn[n associations ( 
col\r$ suns  hundr$ ( times 9 !         
telescope1 ,i ought n to h be5 9 d\bt  =
 an in/ant4 ,i /opp$ & approa*$ "o ( ^? 
worlds & saw  t x 0 inhabit$ by be+s :o 
seem$ to be wov5 out ( light4 ,to  _!   
eyes1 c]ta9ly1 ! inhabitants ( our      
planet w\ld appe> s  sombre1 heavy1 &   
co>se t !y might legitimately ask :e!r  
we  7 alive & :e!r we felt ourselves to 
be alive4    ,^? are worlds peopl$ by   
a]ial organisms ^: brightness surpasses 
! t9t ( ! fre%e/ roses & pure/ lilies4  
,^! be+s live on  ! v atmosph]e :i* !y  
brea!1 )\t be+ condemn$1 l  !           
inhabitants ( our planet1 to be         
con/antly kill+ innum]able  animals )   
:i* to fill _! bodies4    ,_! beauty1   
delicacy1 & brightness rem9d$ me by     
contra/ ( !  conditions impos$ by       
t]re/rial life4 ,i rememb]$ t brute =ce 
reigns supreme "h1 t millions ( be+s are

 kill$ e day to  assure ! exi/5ce ( !   
re/1 t w> is a natural law among/       
animals1 & t humanity is s little fre$ f
 animal b>b>ism  t ne>ly all p cont9ue  
to accept1 z 9 primitive times1  slav]y 
& s]vitude4 ,be+ s f> f ! ,e>?1 ,i judg$
 ( !  colossal /upidity ( ! inhabitants 
( our planet4 ,b if1 d[n to  our own    
times1 ! nations h made _! greate/ glory
 consi/ (  int]national but*]ies1 t /ate
 is transitory4 ,e tree be>s  fruit aft]
 its k9d4 ,tortoises & be>s _c aspire to
 ! w+s  ( ! swall[ or ! song ( ! ?ru%4  
,! milit>y glories (  ,alex&]1 ,cs>1    
,*>lemagne1 ,napoleon1 or ,bism>ck1 be+ 
( !  ord] ( c>nivor\s animal in/9cts1   
la/ no long] ?an ! brutal  repa/ itself1
 & a few c5turies suffice to efface !m f
 !  hi/ory ( ! planet4    ,endeav\r+ to 
e/imate ! real importance ( ?is hi/ory &
 (  our planet itself1 ,i se>*$ space1 n
 only = ! ,e>? :i* _h  become invisible 
long ago1 b ev5 ! ,sun2 b ,i c\ld nei!r 
f9d  ! ,sun nor any ( its brighte/      
neighb\rs su* z ,alpha ,c5tauri or      

,sirius1 nor any ( ! />s :i* "o sees f !
 ,e>?4 ,! :ole  region ( space :]e our  
float+ isl& gravitates _h disappe>$     
long ago z an insignificant po9t 9 !    
dep?s ( space4 ,au/]litz1  ,wat]loo1    
,seva/opol1 ,mag5ta1 ,sad[a1 ,kei*%(51  
,s$an1 7 b  microscopic agitations 9 a  
,lilliputian ant-heap1 amusem5t (       
infants  delight+ 9 muscul> ex]cises    
involv+ blood & smoke4 ,:y blame  !m8   
,:y pity !m8 ,!y d :at pleases !m &     
nobody =ces !m  to d x4 ,:y %\ld        
a/ronomy use a magnify+-glass to /udy ! 
microbes on a planet ,t ,! sy/em (      
_m-col\r$ suns1 ! bl9d+  organic weal? (
 :i* _h inspir$ me to return to ! e>?ly 
twilight1 revolves at a di/ance (       
#fj1jjj billion miles4 ,light takes  m  
?an t5 ye>s to trav]se ?is di/ance4 ,yet
 ?is is no?+  extraord9>y 9 ! way (     
a/ronomical di/ance4    ,sirius1 ! mo/  
brilliant /> ( our sky1 transport$ to t 
di/ance1 w\ld be #c1ejj times f>!r away 
?an x is 9 reality1  & x w\ld s5d u #ab 
million times less light4 ,x w\ld be a  

small  po9t1 /ill )9 ! range ( ! new    
photographic processes4 ,x  w\ld be a   
telescopic /> ( ! #ah? magnitude4       
,?is sid]eal mile/one w\ld be f> f m>k+ 
! limit ( !  space accessible to        
telescopic inve/igation1 :i* includes   
/>s (  ! #bj? magnitude1 & :i*1 accord+ 
to +5i\s calculations1 is  occupi$ by   
ab\t #ajj million suns4 ,& inde$1 z ,i  
advanc$ 9 my  cele/ial voyage1 ,i cross$
 new abysses & discov]$ f> ahead &      
above me new />s :i* became suns1 %one 9
 ! night & appe>$  s+le1 d\ble1 treble1 
quadruple1 ev5 qu9tuple1 radiat+ a silv]
  or gold5 light1 or emitt+ ! mo/ vivid 
& v>i\s col\rs2 & ,i  guess$ 9 pass+ at 
cele/ial e>?s peopl$ by unkn[n          
humanities  float+ 9 ^! rays1 be=e ^!   
worlds 9 turn roll$ away &  disappe>$   
b5ea? me 9 ! night4 ,!y ru%$ ) diff]5t  
spe$s  9 e direction ?r\gh space1 l     
lum9\s globes 9 ! b\quets  ( fireworks1 
& seem$ to fly away 9 a />ry ra94    ,:5
 ,i rea*$ ! conf9es ( our sid]eal       
univ]se1 ! suns &  sy/ems became sp>s]1 

& z ,i cont9u$ my asc5t ,i f\nd myself  
engulf$ 9 a black & des]t void :5ce ,i  
c\ld see ! out] =m  ( our univ]se1      
resembl+ "o ( ^? _m /> clu/]s :i* are   
se5 9 e telescopic field4 ,?is clu/]    
became small] & small]  z ,i flew on    
into ! out] d>kness4    ,!n1 9 ! inf9ite
 night ,i p]ceiv$ above me ano!r univ]se
  :i* appe>$ 9 space z a pale & di/ant  
nebula1 & ,i und]/ood  t all we c see ) 
our eyes 9 ! cle>e/ night & all t       
telescopic vision has yet all[$ u to    
discov] repres5t no?+  b a local region 
9 an animat$ imm5sity1 & t !re are o!r  
univ]ses besides t ( :i* our ,sun =ms a 
/>4                              7#g7   
,,9 ,,inf9ite ,,space      ,i approa*$  
?is second univ]se1 :i* became l>g] &   
l>g] l  an ar*ipelago ( />s1 & ,i soon  
arriv$ at its outskirts4 ,z ,i  trav]s$ 
x f end to end ,i saw t x also 0 compos$
 ( sev]al  million suns sep>at$ f ea*   
o!r by ?\s&s ( millions (  miles4 ,!n ,i
 f\nd beyond x ano!r d>k abyss resembl+ 
t :i*  ,i _h cross$ to rea* ! second    

univ]se4    ,cont9u+ my flight1 ,i saw a
 ?ird1 & ,i cross$ x4 ,a f\r?  approa*$1
 !n ano!r1 & yet ano!r4 ,& z ,i cross$  
^?  des]ts :i* sep>at$ !m1 9 :atev]     
direction my gaze endeav\r$  to pi]ce ! 
void1 ev]y:]e x discov]$ new univ]ses 9 
!  di/ance4    ,! spl5did spiral nebul  
are n balls ( gas b agglom]ations (     
suns1 ,milky ,ways situat$ outside our  
sid]eal univ]se4    ,!n ,i und]/ood t   
all ! />s :i* h ev] be5 obs]v$ 9  ! sky1
 ! millions ( lum9\s po9ts :i* con/itute
 ! ,milky  ,way1 ! innum]able cele/ial  
bodies1 suns ( e magnitude & (  e degree
 ( brightness1 sol> sy/ems1 planets1 &  
satellites1  :i* by millions & hundr$s (
 millions succe$ ea* o!r 9 !  void ar\nd
 u1 t :atev] human tongues h designat$  
by ! "n  ( univ]se1 d n 9 ! inf9ite     
repres5t m ?an an ar*ipelago  ( cele/ial
 isl&s & n m ?an a city 9 ! gr& total ( 
population1 a t[n ( great] or less]     
importance4    ,9 ?is city ( ! limitless
 empire1 9 ?is t[n ( a l& )\t  fronti]s1
 our ,sun & its sy/em repres5t a s+le   

po9t1 a s+le  h\se among millions ( o!r 
habitations4 ,is our sol> sy/em a palace
  or a hovel 9 ?is great city8 ,probably
 a hovel4    ,& ! ,e>?8 ,! ,e>? is a    
room 9 ! sol> mansion--a small  dwell+1 
mis]ably small4    ,?us 9 ! g5]al       
economy ( nature our planet has no m    
importance  ?an a poor little room 9 a  
consid]able h\se4 ,t h\se 9 turn is  lo/
 9 ! middle ( an imm5se t[n4 ,& t imm5se
 t[n1 :i* to  u repres5ts ! entire      
univ]se1 is 9 fact no?+ b a univ]se     
beyond :i* 9 e direction !re exi/ o!r   
univ]ses4    ,h[ f> is ?is reality f    
human pret5sions1 bo? anci5t &  mod]n1  
:i* imag9e t our _w repres5ts ! inf9ite1
 t ,god  /ops ! ,sun to illum9ate "o (  
,jo%ua's battles--a miracle r5ew$1  says
 hi/ory1 = ,*>lemagne & ,*>les ,v--& t !
 great ,s[]  ( />s took ^u himself a    
human %ape to dwell among u6    ,:at    
simplicity among s9c]e !ologians6 ,:at  
impo/ure among !  *iefs ( /ates :o /ill 
d>e to inve/ !mselves ) titles (  div9e 
m&atories to enslave ! p6 ,are n ! real 

a!i/s  ^? ei!r ignorant or ins9c]e p :o 
make ! sublime/ idea  ! accomplice ( all
 _! m$iocrities1 & are n ! real ,dei/s  
! indep5d5t se>*]s ^: sole ambition is  
labori\sly to look  = ! causes &        
gradually to "w up to tru?8    ,) :at   
/range religi\s sy/ems has humanity up  
to n[ envelop$  its b>r5 imag9ation6 ,! 
,israelite :o believes he is agreeable  
to  ,god 9 practis+ circumcision or 9   
buy+ a new knife to be sure  t x has n  
t\*$ pig's fat2 ! ,*ri/ian :o imag9es he
 c  make ,god desc5d ^u a table & :o is 
told by 8 prea*]s t  pray]s & fa/s h an 
influ5ce ^u ! wea!r & agriculture2  !   
,mahomm$an :o sees ! gate ( ,mahomet's  
p>adise op5+ be=e  him z he /abs a      
mission>y2 ! fanatic :o ca/s himself "u 
!  :eels ( ! ,jugg]naut2 ! ,buddhi/ :o  
rema9s fasc9at$ 9 !  beatific           
contemplation ( 8 navel1 or works a     
pray]-mill = !  remission ( s9s--^!     
surely =m ! mo/ ridicul\s & infantile   
ideas ( ! unkn[n & unkn[able ,be+4      
,all ^! littl5esses are relat$ to !     

primitive illusion ( !  smallness ( !   
univ]se1 :i* 0 consid]$ z a sort ( scre5
  /udd$ ) gold5 nails & enclos+ ! e>? 9 
its c5tre4  ,c]ta9ly if a/ronomy _h _h  
no o!r result ?an to enl>ge our  g5]al  
conceptions & %[ u ! relativity (       
t]re/rial ?+s  9 ! bosom ( ! absolute1  
to deliv] u f ?is anci5t slav]y  ( ?\ght
 & make u free citiz5s ( ! inf9ite1 x   
w\ld des]ve  our v5]ation & our         
gratitude1 = )\t x we %\ld /ill be      
incapable ( =m+ true conceptions4    ,"s
 cons]vatives w p]haps object t !re are 
ev5 9 ,fr5*  obs]vatories a/ronom]s :o g
 to ,communion1 tell _! beads1 &  c>ry  
c&les 9 ! *ur*es1 & t ! same m5tality c 
be  f\nd 9 c]ta9 ,engli%1 ,spani%1      
,italian1 ,g]man1 ,russian1 & o!r       
obs]vatories4 ,yes1 )\t a d\bt1 ! fact  
is und5iable4 ,su* a  psy*ological      
ph5om5on has two explanations4 ,ei!r ^! 
hybrid  be+s are s9c]e or !y are n4 ,if 
!y are believ]s1 !y are  illogical & 9  
p]petual conflict ) _! sci5tific reason1
  & we mu/ n be a/oni%$ at ! /range     

arrangem5t :i* _!  consci5ce is capable 
( con/ruct+ betwe5 two conceptions (    
nature  :i* directly contradict ea* o!r4
 ,:ile incapable ( explanation1  su*    
s9c]ity c be respect$1 l t ( ! innoc5t  
infant :o  believes all "o tells him4   
,9 ! second1 case x is hypocrisy1       
falsehood1 rascality1 p]sonal  int]e/2 &
 ?is sort ( consci5ce is suitably judg$ 
by e  hone/ man4    ,^! anomalies &     
limitations h n h9d]$ a/ronomy f  br++  
light & indep5d5ce to spirits :o c      
und]/& x &  :o h ! c\rage & ! fre$om (  
_! op9ions4    ,b 9 tell+ ( my ,v5etian 
dream ,i did n want to indulge 9        
irritat+ polemics1 & my only object 0 to
 %[ to "s op5 eyes  ! horizons (        
a/ronomical philosophy1 & ,i ha/5 to    
return to my  sid]eal voyage & to       
describe its la/ phase4 ,i %all1 h[ev]1 
add  ano!r ^w conc]n+ our t9y planet1   
rem>k+ t its inhabitants  are z a rule s
 un9tellig5t & s incapable ( judgm5t t  
!y  imag9e t all h an equal intellectual
 & moral value & t  9 ! mo/ civilis$    

c\ntry ( ?is globe ! vote ( an imbecile 
or a drunk>d has ! same weight z t ( an 
educat$ ?9k]1 s  t ! legislative *amb]  
entru/$ ) ! fate ( ! c\ntry  is an      
incoh]5t mass ( p]sons incompet5t to    
deal ) any (  ! que/ions likely to      
arise4 ,half ( !m are ignorant & are    
preoccupi$ ) _! private conc]ns4 ,9 ?is 
sy/em ( pret5d$  equality1 ,judas is !  
same z ,jesus1 ,philip ,,ii equals      
,m>cus ,aurelius4  ,torquemada is ! same
 z ,/4 ,v9c5t de ,paul1 ,f\qui]-,t9ville
 !  same z ,mirabeau1 & ! w9e-m]*ant at 
! corn] is ! equal (  ,ar*im$es &       
,py?agoras4 ,!re is no reason+4 ,our    
little planet  is z insignificant       
morally z x is physically4 ,among       
t]re/rial  humanity only "o man 9 a     
hundr$ is intellig5t4 ,humanity is      
practically no old] ?an f\r or five ye>s
 z reg>ds intellig5ce  comp>$ ) :at x   
ought to be normally4    ,i _h trav]s$  
sev]al univ]ses analog\s to our galactic
 sy/em1  univ]ses sep>at$ f ea* o!r by  
abysses ( no?+ness1 &  :at _h /ruck me  

mo/ 9 ?is g5]al survey 0 meet+ a numb]  
( humanities =eign to our own liv+ 9    
v>i\s regions ( space1  liv+ _! own     
lives & c>ri$ along to _! de/9y 9 !     
:irlpool ( _! p]sonal affairs4 ,:ile !  
inhabitants ( ! ,e>?  r$uce creation to 
_! own size1 ?\s&s1 millions1 billions1 
(  o!r humanities live 9 e degree (     
intellectual advancem5t on  sol> sy/ems 
:i* to !m are ! v c5tre ( obs]vation & f
  :i* our t]re/rial home appe>s lo/ 9 ! 
inf9ite di/ance4    ,i also saw dead    
worlds4 ,x is a fact wor?y ( att5tion t 
all  exi/5ce t5ds t[>ds dea?4 ,be+s only
 come into exi/5ce to  die4 ,! worlds   
only atta9 p]iods ( vitality to desc5d  
aga9 into  decad5ce & ! tomb4 ,suns only
 burn to be ext+ui%$4 ,dea? w\ld  !re=e 
be ! supreme law1 ! f9al result4    ,!  
ma!matician c n[ calculate ) great      
accuracy ! date :5  our ,sun w become   
ext9ct aid :5 ! ,e>? w roll on ?r\gh !  
et]nal night l an icy cemet]y4 ,! entire
 hi/ory ( t]re/rial  humanity w h arriv$
 at an absolute z]o4 ,! "t w come :5    

ev5 ! ru9s w be de/roy$4    ,on acc\nt (
 ! t5d5cy ( en]gy to e/abli% itself 9 a 
/ate (  /able equilibrium 9 ! univ]se1  
life w h an end on our planet  z well z 
! o!r worlds4    ,if ev]y?+ appe>s ?us  
to t5d to ext9ction & dea?1 x is        
because we d n "k ! secret ( !          
cons]vation ( en]gy4 ,an  end su* z ,i h
 indicat$ is really un?9kable4 ,! t]ms (
 !  problem conta9 _! own condemnation4 
,x is admitt$ t =ce &  matt] c be nei!r 
creat$ nor de/roy$1 & h !re=e exi/$  &  
act$ f all et]nity4 ,if !re=e ! f9al    
result ( !  radiation ( suns into space 
is _! ext9ction & consequ5tly !         
ext9ction ( life on _! att5dant planets1
 !n s9ce an et]nity  has already elaps$ 
dur+ :i* en]gy has t5d$ to equilibrium1 
!re ought to be n a s+le sun1 /> or     
planet 9 exi/5ce4    ,n[ relatively1 n  
to an et]nal duration b only to a p]iod 
l  a lightn+ fla% comp>$ ) t1 say a     
trillion ye>s1 !  life ( a human race1 (
 a planet1 or ev5 ( a sun1 is v %ort4   
,geologi/s talk ( #bj to #cj million    

ye>s = ! :ole duration (  ! geological  
eras f ! orig9 ( life on e>?2 physici/s 
talk  ( #ajj million = ! con/itution ( !
 t]re/rial globe f !  liquid to ! solid 
/ate2 a/ronom]s also assign #ajj million
 ye>s  to ! age ( ! ,sun1 & ev5 less to 
its future duration4 ,ev5 if  we d\bl$  
or trebl$ ^! numb]s1 ev5 if we multipli$
 !m by t5  or ev5 a hundr$1 we %\ld n   
arrive at ! million? "p ( a  trillion   
ye>s6 ,?us )\t go+ back to a previ\s    
et]nity1 if !  en]gy ( suns _h no o!r   
f9al result b ext9ction we %\ld n  exi/ 
n[ & no?+ t is w\ld be4    ,! univ]se 0 
n made ( "o piece at ! orig9 ( ?+s4 ,?is
  orig9 does n 9 fact exi/4 ,we f9d 9   
space suns ( e age4  ,!re are old ones1 
!re are new ones4 ,"h are cradles1 yond]
 are  tombs4 ,if ! fir/ creations =m$ by
 matt] & en]gy _h n be5  r5ew$1 !re w\ld
 no long] be a univ]se4 ,all primitive  
en]gy  :i* _h animat$ ! suns w\ld be us$
 up4 ,besides1 matt] &  en]gy are b "o4 
,j z 9 pass+ ?r\gh a =e/ we f9d oaks 9  
decay1 gre5 trees1  & new gr[?s1 ?us    

also does ! cele/ial travell] enc\nt] 9 
space worlds long dead1 dy+ worlds1     
worlds 9 full activity1 &  budd+ />s4   
,ev]y?+ dies1 b ev]y?+ lives aga94      
,among ! la/ worlds 9 full vitality :i* 
,i visit$ on my voyage  among di/ant    
univ]ses !re 0 "o :i* appe>$ p>ticul>ly 
rem>kable on acc\nt ( ! high /ate (     
social progress4 ,al?\gh  ?is _w is !   
mo/ di/ant ( all ^? suspect$ to exi/ 9 !
  dep?s ( space1 yet ! human race :i*   
dwells !re is n v  diff]5t f ours1      
physically4 ,x is divid$ into two sexes1
 & !  organic =ms some:at resemble ^? ( 
our race4 ,b ! social /ate  is di/9ctly 
sup]ior to ours4    ,a p]petual h>mony  
reigns among all ! memb]s ( ?is va/     
family4  ,simple & mode/1 ea* ( ^! be+s 
has no high] ambition ?an  gradually to 
raise himself 9 ! k ( ?+s & 9 moral     
p]fection4    ,! atmosph]e is n entirely
 nutriti\s1 & !re1 z "h1 "o is  oblig$  
to eat 9 ord] to live4 ,b !y live       
exclusively on fruit &  vegetables1 &   
kill no liv+ be+4    ,! functions (     

mat]ial life only take up a v %ort "t1 &
 life  is ma9ly intellectual4 ,in/ead ( 
p]sonal rivalries1 great & small1  & !  
v>i\s ambitions :i* agitate ! entire    
lives ( ! m5 &  wom5 ( our poor little  
_w1 ^? be+s are ma9ly occupi$ 9  /udy & 
pleasure4    ,!re is no money4 ,!re are 
no ri* nor poor4 ,! fruits necess>y  =  
n\ri%m5t c be pick$ any:]e beyond all   
ne$s4 ,summ] is  p]petual & no sort (   
clo?+ has be5 ?\ght ( because !  bodily 
=ms always keep _! beauty1 & coquetry   
w\ld h no?+  to conceal4    ,!re is no  
old age4 ,on rea*+ a ripe age "o goes to
 sleep & !  body dissolves l a cl\d1 :i*
 becomes invisible by ! *ange (  /ate ( 
its molecules4    ,no law has in/itut$ !
 m>riage bond4 ,z x w\ld be impossible  
to  contract = int]e/1 because !re are  
nei!r ca/es nor =tunes1  love alone     
guides ! *oice4 ,on r>e occasions ! ye>s
 reveal "s  div]g5ce ( "* suffici5t to  
lead to a desire = ano!r  *oice1 b :5   
?is div]g5ce %[s itself !re is no *a9 to
  break4 ,besides1 !y always rema9 lov]s

 & nev] become m>ri$4 ,!  desire (      
*ange1 ( v>iety1 ( curiosity1 h>dly     
arises because !  p]sons :o h freely    
*os5 ea* o!r love ea* o!r beyond all    
o!rs & h only *os5 ea* o!r because !y   
knew ea* o!r4    ,fri5d%ips are sure &  
fai?ful1 & !re is no example ( treason  
dictat$ by ! vile s5tim5t ( jeal\sy4    
,contr>y to :at happ5s on e>?1 e p]son  
^: life is rul$ by  ! s5tim5t ( p]sonal 
int]e/ or ambition w\ld be consid]$ z a 
mon/] beyond all explanation & ?or\ghly 
despis$4 ,9 t _w  !y d n1 z we d "h1    
meet p :o are con/antly unhappy on      
acc\nt ( a desire to occupy all ! be/   
places1 are nev] satisfi$  ) _! own lot1
 & :o1 be+ indefatigable opportuni/s1   
grab  ev]y?+ 9 _! insatiable egoism1 &  
die full ( hon\rs &  vanities4    ,!re  
is no fronti]4 ,humanity =ms a s+le     
family4 ,communications  are e/abli%$   
ov] ! :ole globe by a sort ( language   
:i* passes  ) ! spe$ ( lightn+4 ,an     
adm9i/rative c\ncil controll$ by        
univ]sal suffrage directs public        

education1 sci5ce1 art1 & ju/ice2  & ?is
 univ]sal suffrage is enlight5$1 &      
ex]cises its *oice  among ! be/ & wise/ 
spirits4 ,! dregs ( ! population are n  
repres5t$2 ! deputies d n %9e by numb]s 
& incompet5ce1 b  by wor?4 ,9 a c\ntry  
correspond+ to ,france1 _! numb] w\ld be
  r$uc$ f #fjj to #ajj1 e deputy        
possess+ a special compet5ce  9         
legislative que/ions4 ,x is sup]flu\s to
 add t a ,m9i/ry (  ,w> has nev] be5    
?\ght ( !re4 ,! p1 l$ by reason1 d n    
foll[ a feti%4 ,besides1 no patriotic   
s5tim5t c !re be exploit$  or brutally  
debas$1 s9ce no fronti] divides         
humanity1 & patriotic  s5tim5t consi/s  
solely 9 ! recognition ( intellectual   
wor?4    ,no in/itute ( s-call$ (ficial 
sci5ce has be5 e/abli%$ !re4  ,no       
,sorbonne has condemn$ ! !ory ( ! ,e>?'s
 movem5t1 no  ,academy has disapprov$ ( 
! doctr9e ( p]petual peace4 ,!re  are no
 titles1 no decorations4 ,no?+ is       
appreciat$ b p]sonal1  intellectual1 &  
moral wor?4    ,! ^w 8infallibility0    

does n exi/ 9 ! language ( t  p4 ,only  
"o religion reigns 9 _! he>ts3 natural  
religion1  f\nd$ ^u a/ronomy4 ,_!       
faculties1 m transc5d5t ?an ours1  _!   
s5ses1 m num]\s & m p5etrat+1 _! m      
p[]ful  in/rum5ts ( obs]vation1 h long  
ago plac$ !m 9 communication  )         
neighb\r+ worlds1 & !y h be5 able to    
utilise a/ral  magnetism = purposes (   
transport f "o _w to ano!r4    ,!y h    
discov]$ ! my/]y ( ! union betwe5 =ce & 
matt]1  & "k t !re is a fundam5tal      
id5tity betwe5 !m4 ,9 _!  own religions1
 !y h nev] giv5 ,god a "n1 & h nev] d>$ 
to play at a cult1 kn[+ t su* pu]ility &
 su* pride w\ld  be unwor?y ( _! m]it4  
,_! religion consi/s 9 a belief 9       
immortality bas$ on ! k ( ! intimate    
nature ( be+1 9  prep>ations = ! future 
life1 9 ef=ts to make !mselves bett]  & 
m p]fect by a cont9ual /udy ( creation1 
& a mutual love  bas$ on an enlight5$   
s5tim5t ( ju/ice & equity4    ,!y       
consid] ,reason z ! highe/ pr]ogative ( 
! human race1 &  w\ld consid] any       

doctr9aire mad :o w\ld =bid ! ex]cise ( 
t faculty = ! sake ( any religi\s sy/em 
:atev]4    ,f t _w1 nobody has ev] yet  
p]ceiv$ ! ,e>?1 & nobody  suspects its  
exi/5ce4    ,_! s5ses are m p]fect & m  
subtle4 ,:ile our human race  is less   
end[$ ?an c]ta9 animals :i* c =esee a   
/orm1 !  *anges ( ! seasons1 &          
e>?quakes1 !y possess ! s5se (          
ori5tation1 :i* we lack entirely1 al?\gh
 on our own planet c]ta9  species l !   
dog1 ! cat1 ! pigeon1 & ! swall[ possess
 x4    ,!y seem$ to me absolutely happy1
 ?\gh exce$+ly s5sitive4  ,!y sp5t !    
greate/ "p ( _! exi/5ce amid ! mo/ ref9$
  pleasures4 ,_! _w is a p]petual       
p>adise ev] born afre%4  ,p]fumes arise 
f ! bosom ( spl5did & v>i$ fl[]s1 &     
woods  are balmy ) intoxicat+ spices1 & 
! light ( day plays ^u  fairy-l sc5]y4  
99       99       99       99       99  
,:5 ,i contemplat$ ?is m>vell\s         
spectacle1 ,i felt surr\nd$  & p5etrat$1
 s to speak1 ) waves ( s\nd :i* cradl$  
my  enraptur$ s\l 9 ! mo/ delici\s      

melody my e>s _h ev] he>d4  ,! s5sation 
( a cele/ial attraction seem$ to c>ry me
 on a cl\d  & make me sl[ly desc5d t[>ds
 an isl& on :i* a palace (  fl[]s       
appe>$4 ,i felt a sort ( electric %ock  
&--,i felt myself  9 a high ogival w9d[ 
( ,v5ice4 ,a gondola fill$ ) musicians 0
  return+ f ! ,lido by ! ,gr& ,canal4   
,gr\ps *ant$ h>moni\s  *oruses1 ! sky   
%one ) />s1 ! moon 0 sett+ beh9d !      
domes1 & ,m>s 0 desc5d+ t[>ds ! horizon4
    ,! old clock s\nd$ sl[ly ! twelve   
/rokes ( midnight4 8,well10  ,i         
exclaim$1 8,i h be5 sleep+4 ,"h ,i h be5
 = two h\rs at  ?is w9d[4 ,mean:ile !   
,moon has fl[n #d1hej miles 9 its orbit 
r\nd ! ,e>?1 & ! ,e>? has trav]s$       
#daj1jjj miles 9 its  revolution r\nd ! 
,sun1 drawn by t wond]ful attraction :i*
  rules ! _w across ! voids ( space2    
p]haps x also rules  our s\ls ?r\gh !   
voids ( "t4 8,?\ beautiful />ry sky10 ,i
  murmur$1 8:o ha/ taught u s mu*       
already1 wilt ?\ n soon solve  = u !    
riddle ( ! great my/]y8 ,?\ art our     

hope1 ?\ alone  can/ tea* u1 ?\ alone   
can/ op5 be=e our eyes ! panoramas (    
inf9ity & et]nity40                     
,,ii4 ,,! ,,_w                          
,,( ,,long ,,ago                        
,,*apt] ,,ii                            
,,! ,,_w ,,( ,,long ,,ago      ,i ,,_h a
 dream1 :i* yet 0 n a dream4    ,i f\nd 
myself z an obs]v] ( ! _w z x 0 #ajj    
million ye>s  ago1 inhabit+ a planet 9  
att5dance ^u "o ( ^? di/ant />s  (      
space1 9 ! middle ( a sid]eal univ]se   
analog\s to t :i*  exi/s at pres5t1 ?\gh
 x 0 n ! same1 = ! univ]se ( t  "t 0    
de/roy$ long ago & ! univ]se ( to-day   
did n yet  exi/4    ,at t "t1 also1 !re 
7 />s & con/ellations1 b !y 7  nei!r !  
same con/ellations nor ! same />s4      
,!re 7 suns1 moons1 inhabit$ e>?s1 days1
 nights1 seasons1 ye>s1  c\ntries1 be+s1
 impressions1 ?\ghts1 facts2 b !y 7 n ! 
same z n[4    ,! ,e>? :i* we inhabit 0 n
 yet 9 exi/5ce4 ,! mat]ials  :i* compose
 x float$ ?r\gh space 9 a /ate ( diffus$
  nebulosity1 gravitat+ ab\t ! sl[ly    

cond5s+ sol> focus4  ,!re 7 z yet nei!r 
wat]1 nor air1 nor e>?1 nor heav5s1 nor 
planets1 nor animals1 nor any "o ( ^?   
bodies reput$ to be simple  by *emi/ry1 
z oxyg51 hydrog51 nitrog51 c>bon1 lead1 
copp]1  etc4 ,! gas 7:i* by its         
cond5sations & f9al trans=mations  0    
ev5tually to give rise to ! v>i\s       
gase\s1 liquid1 & solid  sub/ances at   
pres5t con/itut+ our globe & its        
inhabitants7 0  a s+le homog5e\s gas1   
conta9+ )9 x1 l an unconsci\s  *rysalis1
 ! possibilities ( ! future4 ,b no      
prophet c\ld h  =ese5 ! unkn[n :i*      
slumb]$ amid its my/]ies4    ,our planet
 %[$ at t "t ! aspect ( ^? vague gase\s 
nebul  :i* ! telescope discov]s on !    
floor ( ! skies & :i* !  spectroscope   
analyses4 ,! sol> nebula 9 ! c\rse (    
cond5sation  float$ among ! />s4 ,all   
humanity ) its hi/ory1 e "o (  u ) all 8
 en]gies1 all ! liv+ be+s ( ?is ,e>?1 7 
conta9$ 9 ! g]m ( t nebula & its =ces2 b
 ! be+s &  ! ?+s :i* we "k 7 n to come  
into exi/5ce until aft]  a long         

incubation ( c5turies4 ,9 ! place ( :at 
0 de/9$ to  be ! ,e>?1 !re 0 no?+ b a   
gas float+ 9 />ry space4  ,nor 0 x 9 !  
real 8space0 :]e we are n[1 = ! ,e>?1 ! 
planets1 & ! :ole sol> sy/em came f af> 
& flew swiftly  across ! void4          
99       99       99       99       99  
,9 ! hi/ory ( creation1 #ajj million    
ye>s pass l a day2 !y  dw9dle &         
disappe>1 a fugitive dream1 into ! bosom
 ( t  et]nity :i* absorbs all4    ,!n1  
al?\gh our planet did n exi/1 !re 7 />s1
 suns1 sol>  sy/ems1 & inhabit$ worlds z
 !re are n[4 ,! humanities :i*  peopl$  
^? worlds liv$ _! lives z we live ours4 
,x w\ld h be5 a wond]ful spectacle = !  
?9k] to contemplate  ! great "w ( all ^?
 be+s4 ,9 passion or indiff]5ce1 9      
pleasure or pa91 9 laught] or te>s1 9   
movem5t or repose1 !y  liv$2 fight+1    
=giv+2 accus+1 =gett+2 lov+1 hat+2 be+  
born & dy+2 drawn into ! fatal :irlpool2
 bl9dly succe$+ ea*  o!r ?r\gh !        
g5]ations & c5turies1 n kn[+ :at gave   
!m bir?2 ignorant ( ! fate 9 /ore =     

individuals & s\ls2  play?+s ( t ,nature
 :i* =ms worlds & be+s1 />s &  atoms1   
c5turies & m9utes1 l soap-bubbles bl[n  
by a *ild into  ! air2 & all plung+ into
 ! sea1 l ^? :irls ( s& :i*  ! des]t w9d
 raises & bl[s along 9 ! typhoon or !   
breeze4  ,x is ! same spectacle z t :i* 
! e>? (f]s to-day2 liv+  multitudes     
fight+ = life & kn[+ only dea?4    ,!   
?\ght :i* mu/ /rike u mo/ 9 our         
retrospective  contemplation is t at t  
"t ! ,e>? did n exi/4  ,n "o ( ^? human 
be+s :o live n[1 :o w live 9 !  future1 
or :o h liv$ 9 ! pa/1 7 !n ?\ght (4     
,no?+  ( all t n[ exi/s ar\nd u exi/$   
!n4 ,yet 9 ^? anci5t  worlds :i* h      
disappe>$ long ago1 ! humanities :i*    
animat$  !m _h _! vivid hi/ory1 )       
fl\ri%+ cities1 fights &  /ruggles1 laws
 & law-c\rts1 judges ( spiritual ?+s1   
hi/orians1  economi/s1 politicians1     
!ologians1 lit]>y m51 :o took pa9s  to  
tell ! true f ! false & to write d[n    
consci5ti\sly  :at !y1 too1 call$       
8univ]sal hi/ory40 ,= !m1 all creation  

/opp$ 9 _! era & 9 _! place2 = all ( !m1
 creation 0  f9i%$2 ! re/ ( ! univ]se & 
( limitless et]nity 0 lo/  9            
insignificance 9 comp>ison ) :at !y     
call$ ! 8,pres5t40  ,!y nev] ?\ght ( !  
et]nity :i* _h already pass$ be=e  !m1  
nor ( ! et]nity :i* w\ld come aft] !m4  
,!y liv$1 le>n$ or ignorant1 fam\s or   
obscure1 ri* or poor1  opul5t or        
mis]able1 religi\s or sceptical1 !y all 
liv$ z if  _! era w\ld nev] come to an  
end4 ,"s ( !m1 )\t los+ a  m9ute1 amass$
 a =tune :i* _! heirs ha/5$ to          
dissipate2  "s sp5t _! "t 9 dreams &    
contemplations )\t ?9k+  ( ! morr[4 ,9  
"o place !re w\ld be battalions inflam+ 
!  populace ) _! patriotic %\ts2 9 ano!r
 lov+ c\ples unit$  _! s\ls 9 my/]y4 ,"u
 ! pressure ( :at !y believ$ to be      
affairs ( imp]ative importance1 driv5 by
 ! attractions ( pleasure  or borne on !
 w+s ( ambition1 ! inhabitants ( t      
anci5t  _w1 l ^? ( ours1 flung !mselves 
into ! :irlpool ( life4  ,!y1 l         
ourselves1 _h days ( glory & ( sorr[2 !y

 _h _!  '#hi & '#ic1 _! ,au/]litz &     
,wat]loo1 & political drama _h  its #ah?
 ,brumaire & its #bnd ( ,decemb]4 ,?us  
rec5tly on our own  ,e>? %one ! life (  
,babylon1 ( ,!bes1 ( ,memphis1 (        
,n9eveh1  ( ,c>?age1 ! glory (          
,semiramis1 ,seso/ris1 ,solomon1        
,alex&]1  ,cambyses1 & ,cs>2 & to-day ! 
sil5ce ( fun]al solitude reigns  supreme
 ov] ! ru9s ( ! palaces & temples1 9 !  
slumb] (  ! invad+ night4 ,9 ! hi/ory ( 
! univ]se x is n only  peoples1 k+doms1 
& empires :i* h disappe>$1 b x is :ole  
worlds1 gr\ps ( worlds1 ar*ipelagoes (  
planets1 visible univ]ses6    ,= et]nity
 did n beg91 x 0 nev] begun4 ,! =ces (  
,nature h nev] be5 inactive4 ,= ,nature 
itself1 our measures (  "t1 our         
conceptions ( duration1 d n exi/4 ,%e   
has no pa/ & no  future1 b a p]petual   
pres5t4 ,%e rema9s immutable ?r\gh\t h] 
incessant manife/ations & trans=mations4
 ,we pass away2 ,%e rema9s4    ,"o c    
h>dly ?9k )\t t]ror ( ! innum]able be+s 
:i*  h liv$ on ! worlds n[ lo/1 ( all ! 

lead+ spirits :o  h ?\ght1 act$1 guid$  
humanity 9 ! pa? ( progress1 light1  &  
lib]ty4 ,"o _c ?9k ( ,platos1 ,pascals1 
& ,newtons ( !  vani%$ worlds )\t ask+  
:at has become ( !m4 ,x is easy to      
reply t t is no?+1 t !y di$ z !y 7 born1
 t  all is du/ & returns to du/4 ,x is  
an easy answ]1 b x is n  satisfy+4      
99       99       99       99       99  
,c]ta9ly1 nobody c be s fooli% z to     
claim to h f\nd a  solution ( ! great   
my/]y4 ,= treat+ ^? pr(\nd problems (   
et]nity & inf9ity1 we are ab\t 9 !      
position ( ants attempt+  to ga9 a k ( !
 hi/ory ( ,france4 ,9 spite ( all _!    
m5tal gifts1 :i* h inde$ be5 fully      
recognis$1 9 spite (  _! goodwill1 _!   
gallant attempts & all _! ef=ts1 x is  q
 probable t !y w\ld n get beyond !      
hi/ory ( _!  ant-heap & w\ld n arrive at
 any reasonable conclusions conc]n+     
human be+s & _! affairs4 ,to !m1        
naturally1 ! proprietors (  ! woods &   
fields are ! ants1 & ! plant-lice       
dome/icat$ by  !m4 ,& ! p>asites ( !    

,e>? are ^? in$ible insects :i*  int]f]e
 ) !m4 ,d !y "k t birds exi/8 ,x is     
d\btful4  ,z reg>ds m51 !y d n "k ( _!  
exi/5ce1 ?\gh x may be  t ! ants 9      
civilis$ c\ntries h 9 _! ant5nal        
language  an expression correspond+ to !
 idea ( 8sug>-mak]10 or cook1 or        
confection]1 or = "s implacable enemy   
su* z a g>d5]4 ,b ev5  if !y suspect$   
our exi/5ce1 !y c\ld n =m any idea ab\t 
!  human race or its hi/ory b--! ideas (
 ants4           99       99       99   
99       99    ,x w\ld no d\bt be z     
useless z x is fooli% to lose ourselves 
9  ! nebulosity ( metaphysics to atta9 a
 solution :i* w escape  u = ev]4 ,b x is
 no d\bt a prop] subject = ! ex]cise (  
our m5tal faculties to ?9k ( ?is        
p>ticul> aspect ( creation3  ,"t2 to ?9k
 t f all et]nity e>?s inhabit$ l ours  h
 float$ 9 ! light ( _! suns1 t f all    
et]nity !re  h be5 humanities enjoy+ !  
pleasures ( life1 & t f  all et]nity !  
end ( ! _w has s\nd$ on ! ho>y timepiece
  ( de/9y1 bury+ 9 turn ! univ]ses & _! 

inhabitants 9  ! tomb ( annihilation &  
oblivion4 ,= x is impossible = u  to    
conceive a comm5cem5t :i* 0 n prec$$ by 
an et]nity (  inaction1 & z f> z !      
obs]vational sci5ces c take u1 !y  %[ u 
=ces 9 p]petual activity4    ,if inf9ite
 space dazzles u by its limitless       
imm5sity1 an et]nity  )\t a beg9n+ & )\t
 end arises1 /ill m =midable  p]haps1   
be=e our t]rifi$ gaze4 ,! voices ( ! pa/
 speak to u  f ! abyss3 !y speak ( !    
future4    ,! pa/ ( ext9ct worlds is !  
future ( ! e>?4           99       99   
99       99       99    ,9 #ajj million 
ye>s1 ! e>? :]e we live w no long] exi/1
  or if any wreck ( x rema9s1 x w only  
be a fun]eal des]t4 ,!  v>i\s worlds (  
our sy/em w h a*iev$ _! circle ( life1  
! hi/ories ( its human race w long ago h
 be5 f9i%$1 our  own ,sun1 no d\bt1 w h 
lo/ its light & w roll along a d>k  />1 
?r\gh ! realms ( night4 ,x may be t1    
?r[n back by  de/9y into ! melt+-pot (  
p]petual *ange1 unit$ 9 a supreme       
climax ) "s old dead sun trav]s+ ! same 

abyss1 x w arise  l a phnix f its a%es  
by ! conv]sion ( motion into heat4      
,b1 !n z n[1 ! nebul w h giv5 bir? to   
suns1 !n z  n[1 endless space w be fill$
 ) />s )\t numb] gravitat+  9 ! h>mony (
 _! mutual attraction1 ! planets w sw+ 9
  ! rays ( _! suns1 morn+s & ev5+s w    
foll[ ea* o!r1  blue sky w spread       
ov]head1 cl\ds w float 9 ! twilight     
my/]ies1 p]fum$ breezes w bl[ ?r\gh !   
woods & valleys1  my/]i\s s\nds w /op ! 
songs ( ! birds1 & et]nal  love w sway a
 lat] y\? ) ! div9e rapture ( insatiable
  aspirations4 ,m>vell\s asc5sion (     
life6 ,nature w *ant1 z x  does to-day1 
! hymn ( y\? & happ9ess1 & an imp]i%able
  spr+ w bloom = ev] 9 ?is imm5se       
univ]se :]e ! hi/orian  ( ! pa/ sees    
no?+ b tombs6    ,if !re are no limits  
to space1 if1 :atev] "p ( ! sky our     
?\ght may essay1 x c always pass on )\t 
be+ /opp$ by  any?+1 h[ev] swift or     
prolong$ its flight1 if1 9 a ^w1 space  
is inf9ite 9 e s5se1 x is ! same )      
et]nity3 !re is  no possible limit to x1

 & :atev] end we may imag9e1 :atev]  h\r
 or m9ute fix$ = its end1 our ?\ght     
imm$iately leaps !  ob/acle & cont9ues  
on its way4 ,inf9ity ev5 n[ is fill$ )  
budd+ worlds1 worlds rea*+ maturity1    
decad5t worlds1 dead worlds1  dissem9at$
 9 all regions ( an unlimit$ space1     
gase\s nebul1  hydrog5 suns1 oxidis$    
/>s1 planets 9 ! c\rse ( =mation1       
congeal$ satellites1 dis9tegrat$        
comets--! =ces ( ,nature are  ev]y:]e   
active1 ! en]gy ( creation rema9s       
con/ant1 nei!r  increas+ nor dim9i%+1 & 
all ! sci5ti/s agree 9 te/ify+  t :at we
 call de/ruction & annihilation is only 
trans=mation4  ,a/ronomy reveals to u   
,"t z x has reveal$ ,space4 ,x %[s t    
!re is no?+ peculi> ab\t our pres5t epo*
 9 ! hi/ory (  ,nature1 nor ab\t our    
pres5t position 9 space1 & x comb9es ,"t
  & ,space1 ! two =ms ( reality1 9 !    
same syn!sis z ! two  gr& aspects ( !   
developm5t ( ! univ]se4           99    
99       99       99       99    ,no1   
?is dream 0 no dream4 ,= to ! human race

 :i* liv$ on !  diff]5t worlds ( space  
dur+ ! ages prec$+ ! =mation (  our sol>
 sy/em1 ! ,e>? ) all its hi/ory 0 only a
 possibility  ( :at ! future might br+  
=?4 ,x might nev] h exi/$ at  all4 ,!   
writ]s ( hi/ory ( t]re/rial peoples1    
,moses1 ,h]odotus1  ,mane?o1            
,ma-,tuan-,l91 ,titus ,livius1 ,tacitus1
 ,gregory ( ,t\rs1 ,bossuet1  all ^? :o 
h attempt$ to write univ]sal hi/ories1 !
 great  ,leibnitz himself1 :o plac$ !   
comm5cem5t ( ! hi/ory ( a  small ,g]man 
du*y at ! "t ( creation ( ! _w1 & ev5 ! 
delightful au?or ( ! ,metamorphoses1 :o 
tells ( ! hi/ory ( !  bir? ( ! ,e>? &   
,heav5--! a/ronom] smiles at _! annals1 
z he has smil$ at ! g5ealogies ( ! k+s &
 ! conque/s (  ! ,cs>s--                
8,battles ( ants 9 microscopic space40  
,simple illusions ( infants :o fondle _!
 dolls6    ,let !m inv5t new microscopes
 = di/+ui%+ ,*>lemagne &  ,napoleon 9 ! 
ant-heap ( ,lilliput2 we _c f9d !m6 ,& !
  :ole ,e>?1 :]e is x8 ,by an ab/raction
 ( ?\ght1 we manage to  live be=e x &   

aft] x2 its :ole hi/ory has disappe>$ l 
a  lightn+ fla% :i* passes 9 ! calm ( a 
long summ] day4           99       99   
99       99       99    ,z ,i           
contemplat$ ^? panoramas ( "t & space1 z
 ! bygone ages  pass$ sl[ly across my   
view1 ) _! long trails ( pa/ glories1  &
 z ! races :i* peopl$ ! worlds arose f !
 dep?s (  space1 %$d+ _! w9d+-%eets &   
walk+ aga9 9 ! fl[]y  pa?s ( life1 all  
?is prodigi\s secul> pa/ became pres5t1 
& !  millions ( suns ext+ui%$ ?r\gh !   
ages light$ up & %one  aga94 ,! sky 0   
bright ) innum]able />s :i* our eyes _h 
nev] se51 & ! light ( life %$ its rays  
on cele/ial %ores  /ret*+ away to       
inf9ity6    ,sudd5ly1 an imm5se black   
veil fell f ! skies & hid ! view1  & ,i 
saw no m4 ,9 front ( ?is veil1 our      
planet flew along )  its spe$ ( #fb ?\s&
 miles an h\r4    ,i f\nd myself aga9 9 
! ord9>y condition ( an ,e>?-dwell]1 :o 
sees no?+ beyond ! horizon1 & :o imag9es
 t1 9 "t z 9  space1 our m$iocre        
humanity exi/s alone on ! _w4           

,,iii4 ,,! ,,_w                         
,,to ,,come                             
,,*apt] ,,iii                           
,,! ,,_w ,,to ,,come     ,! future is z 
real z ! pa/4 ,! _w to come is 9 ! m9d's
   eye z sub/antial z ! _w ( long ago4  
,,once ^u a "t1 9 a sol> sy/em belong+  
to ! con/ellation  ,&rom$a1 a planet a  
million times ! size ( our ,e>? bore on 
its surface a v advanc$ human race4 ,!  
eyes ( its inhabitants  7 con/ruct$     
diff]5tly f ours & receiv$ radiations   
:i*  are d>k to u4 ,also1 in/ead ( five 
s5ses ^? human organisms  possess$      
twelve4 ,_! subtle & f>-see+ indu/ry _h 
inv5t$  in/rum5ts ( great space-p5etrat+
 p[]1 & !y _h succe$$  9 det]m9+ at     
imm5se di/ances ! volumes1 masses1      
d5sities1  physical & *emical           
con/itutions1 ! movem5ts1 & ! intr9sic  
nature ( worlds at pres5t q indisc]nible
 to u4    ,amid/ ! glories ( a sumptu\s 
civilisation1 ^? human be+s1  ^: =m did 
n at all resemble ours1 ?\ght1 9 spite (
 _!  progress 9 a/ronomy1 t !y 7 !      

c5tre1 ! f9al goal1 &  ! ju/ification = 
! exi/5ce ( ! univ]se4 ,"s ( _!         
philosoph]s _h inde$ put =w>d ! idea ( a
 probability (  inhabit$ worlds1 b ?is  
idea1 receiv$ ) scepticism by mo/ (  !  
le>n$ m5 & resolutely reject$ by !      
!ologians1 0 only  accept$ by ! mo/     
lib]al spirits ) a res]vation conc]n+ ! 
intellectual sup]iority ( _! race1      
consid]$ z ! necess>y &  normal type (  
all humanity4 ,to !m x seem$ impossible 
t ,nature  %\ld create any?+ o!r or     
bett] ?an :at _h be5 e/abli%$  9 _! own 
_w2 ! zoology ( _! own planet set a     
/&>d1  & liv+ be+s1 !y ?\ght1 c\ld n be 
organis$ o!rwise  ?an z !y knew !m4 ,to 
_! m9ds1 ! area accessible to _!        
obs]vation includ$ all ! possible       
manife/ations ( ! =ces  act+ ?r\gh\t !  
cosmos4 ,x 0 only possible to h twelve  
s5ses1 nei!r m nor less4    ,!re came a 
"t :5 "s transc5d+ g5ius discov]$ among 
!  />s ( ! con/ellation :i* t]re/rial   
a/ronom]s call ,c5taurus  ! /> :i* we   
call ! ,sun & ar\nd :i* we gravitate4   

,he  notic$ r\nd ?is /> n9e pr9cipal    
sph]es circulat+ r\nd x1  &1 by "s      
secret sympa?y1 he direct$ 8 attraction 
*iefly to !  globe :i* we n[ inhabit4   
,! />--our own ,sun--& ! n9e planets we 
h j m5tion$  7 invisible 9 our s5se ( ! 
^w4 ,!y only emitt$ d>k rays1  black    
light4 ,= a long "t already1 9 fact1 !  
,sun _h be5  ext9ct1 & ! humanities :o  
_h liv$ on ! surface ( ! ,e>?1  ( ,m>s1 
,v5us1 ,m]cury1 ,jupit]1 ,saturn1       
,uranus1 & ,neptune1 ( !                
trans-,neptunian planet & its si/]s1 _h 
di$ 9 turn & _h be5  gradually eras$ f !
 great book ( univ]sal life4    ,b by   
means ( ! sup]ior me?ods ( inve/igation 
:i* ?is  ,&rom$ic a/ronom] _h at 8      
disposal1 he succe$$1 aft] a  labori\s  
/udy :i* x took him #bej ye>s ( cont9u\s
 "w to  complete1 9 recon/ruct+ ! hi/ory
 ( ! t]re/rial globe1 :i*  int]e/$ him  
specially1 & 9 discov]+ t x _h be5 =m]ly
  inhabit$ by animals ( diff]5t species1
 & 9 p>ticul> by c]ta9  bip$s end[$ )   
relative intellig5ce4           99      

99       99       99       99    ,?is   
obscure globe1 a black bullet revolv+   
r\nd ano!r black  bullet1 _h a :ole     
hi/ory ( its own4 ,x _h conta9$ 9 =m]   
times an int5se & luxuriant life4 ,!    
spr+s & summ]s _h  br\ght =? a pr(usion 
( fl[]s & fruit 9 ! sunlit fields1  ! l&
 _h unfold$ its gold5 c>pet ( corn1     
spr+s _h murmur$  among ! hills1 birds  
_h sung 9 ! trees1 ! p]fum$ breezes  (  
mead[s & woods _h be5 waft$ ?r\gh !     
valleys1 riv]s  _h roll$ ?r\gh ! va/    
pla9s1 villages & t[ns _h gr[n  up along
 _! banks1 human communities _h         
gradually peopl$ !  _w1 inv5t+ fruitful 
indu/ries1 delightful arts1 brilliant   
sci5ces2 prodigi\s cities _h1 9 diff]5t 
ages1 rais$ palaces  = k+s & temples =  
gods2 ,memphis _h succe$$ ,babylon1     
,a!ns  _h foll[$ ,memphis1 ,rome _h ca/ 
,a!ns into oblivion1 ,p>is _h  eclips$  
,rome1 & _h vani%$ 9 its turn2 hundr$s (
 millions  ( bra9s _h ?\ght1 hundr$s (  
millions ( he>ts _h beat51  et]nal loves
 _h be5 sworn1 div9e embraces _h unit$  

lov+ s\ls1  innoc5t *ildr51 *>g$ by !   
light ( day1 _h held out _!  arms = !   
kisses ( _! mo!rs1 & life 9 all its =ms 
_h  sp>kl$ = millions ( ye>s 9 %eaves ( 
light ev] r5ew$ l  univ]sal &           
inext+ui%able fireworks4 ,/ruggles1     
mis]ies1 lies1  rivalries1 ambitions1   
battles1 despairs1 te>s1 m\rn+s1 _h too 
(t5 disfigur$ ) black tempe/s ! sky ^:  
cle>ness _h1 9  ! spr+time ( life1 seem$
 un*angeable4    ,:at _h dom9at$ ev]y?+ 
0 a wise & imp5etrable trick]y  by :i*  
,nature p]suad$ all "y girls to become  
wom51 to adorn  !mselves ) irresi/ible  
allurem5ts1 & to op5 _! arms to  m5 9   
ord] to assure ! cont9uity ( life1 hid+ 
f _!  tru?ful eyes ! dang]s & suff]+s to
 :i* %e condemns !m  by surr\nd+ !m )   
fl[]s4 ,& ?us humanity _h cont9u$  )\t a
 /op1 believ+ t its de/9y 0 to enjoy )\t
 end  & progress )\t a limit2 & ?us x _h
 f9ally rea*$ !  annihilation ( ! race &
 ! planet1 )\t leav+ any?+  beh9d ( its 
spl5d\rs & its conque/s4 ,:at is pa/ is 
pa/4  ,nei!r t]re/rial humanity nor its 

abode rema9$4 ,all _h  disappe>$1 all _h
 be5 suppress$1 except ! _s4 ,! univ]sal
  _s /ill reign$4 ,b ! metamorphoses (  
matt] _h trans=m$  ev]y?+4 ,! entire    
hi/ory ( our globe _h be5 wip$ (f !     
slate by ! sponge ( ,"t2 & ! sid]eal    
univ]se w5t on z if  t hi/ory _h nev]   
be5 writt54           99       99       
99       99       99    ,= sev]al       
millions ( c5turies1 ! ,sun _h be5 a    
globe ( gas1  %$d+ light & heat ar\nd x4
 ,aft] be+ a brilliant :ite x  _h become
 yell[ & !n r$1 pass+1 9 ! c\rse ( its  
cool+  process1 ?r\gh ! successive /ages
 ( :ite1 yell[1 orange1  & r$ suns l    
,sirius1 ,arcturus1 ,betelgeuse1 &      
,ant>es4 ,z x  _h gr[n cool]1 t]re/rial 
life _h become att5uat$4 ,! ,sun  _h    
f9ally be5 cov]$ ) a solid cru/1 (t5    
pi]c$ by !  pressure ( ! inc&esc5t lava 
)91 & giv+ rise to prodigi\s  volcanoes4
 ,) ! failure ( light & heat1 ! joys &  
pa9s  ( t]re/rial life _h come to an    
end4 ,& ! radiant day-/>  ( =m] days _h 
become an obscure globe cov]$ ) oceans &

  cl\ds1 )\t a new sun to illum9ate x1  
)\t day or twilight1  c>e]+ ?r\gh space 
9 ! et]nal night1 & gradually envelop$  
9 a w9d+ %eet ( ice & sn[ consi/+ (     
c>bonic acid4 ,all !  nations ( ! ,e>?  
_h gone to re/ 9 z _m cemet]ies4 ,! dy+ 
,sun _h recapitulat$ 9 its evolution !  
phases ( its ance/ors4  ,9 inf9ite      
space1 ! ext9ct suns are mu* m num]\s   
?an !  lum9\s suns1 & ! />s reviv$ by   
collision ) ano!r are  ! exception4     
,tempor>y />s1 :i* only %9e a %ort "t1  
are  exceptional occurr5ces4    ,?us our
 ext9ct ,sun /ill roam$ ?r\gh ! void1   
c>ry+ along its  ret9ue ( defunct       
planets & travell+ ) great spe$ ?r\gh   
empty & unconc]n$ space4    ,& at ! "t (
 :i* we are speak+1 ! />s /ill %one 9  !
 sky1 ! worlds /ill gravitat$ ar\nd !   
suns 9 space2 b  !y 7 no long] ! same   
/>s1 nor ! same suns1 planets1 or       
humanities2 x 0 nei!r ! ,e>? nor its    
contempor>ies4 ,life  cont9u$ to        
blossom2 b x 0 n our life4    ,j z1 be=e
 ! bir? ( ! ,e>?1 o!r worlds _h fl\ri%$ 

9  space1 s also aft] ! dea? ( our      
planet w ! univ]se cont9ue  to exi/1 z x
 exi/$ dur+ ! human era4 ,& 9 ! _w ( :i*
  we speak1 a new & fl\ri%+ humanity    
%one 9 ! joy ( ano!r  sun4 ,:at _h      
happ5$ 0 9 direct opposition to :at     
t]re/rial  !ologians _h taught u conc]n+
 ! end ( ! _w4 ,= !m !  end ( ! _w 0 to 
h meant ! end ( ! liv+ univ]se &  !     
e/abli%m5t ( a cele/ial & inf]nal _w4 ,=
 e "o (  ! mortals inhabit+ ! future    
globe ( :i* we speak1 life pass$  ) !   
fugitive & inexorable spe$ ( ! riv] :i* 
fl[s f  its s\rce to ! sea1 day by day1 
mon? by mon?1 ye> by ye>1 s  swiftly t  
at ! end ( its c\rse all ! mom5ts ( t   
life seem  to t\*4    ,! inhabitants ( !
 _w ( ,&rom$a liv$ on _! imm5se globe  &
 occupi$ !mselves ) _! p]sonal affairs z
 if our ,e>?  _h nev] exi/$ & )\t       
suspect+ t long be=e !m1 9 !  pa/1 our  
human race _h play$ ! game ( de/9y1     
cradl$ 9 !  illusion t !y exi/$ alone 9 
! _w4 ,nobody ?\ght1 amid !  common p1 t
 worlds succe$$ ea* o!r 9 "t z well z 9 

space4 ,only ! ?9k]s /&+ on ! heights f 
:i* ! :ole  ( ?+s & ev5ts c be survey$1 
realis$ t important tru?1  t ! doctr9e (
 ! plurality ( worlds applies to et]nity
 z  well z to inf9ity4           99     
99       99       99       99    ,9 our 
attempts to arrive at an idea ( !       
con/itution ( !  univ]se1 two que/ions  
con/antly & inevitably pres5t !mselves  
to our m9ds3 ! que/ions ( ,space & ,"t4 
,!y are correlative1  b _!              
int]pretations are f> f be+ id5tical1 z 
is (t5  suppos$4    ,space does n exi/  
by itself1 nor does "t4    ,x is        
impossible to imag9e ! suppression (    
space4 ,x is ass]t$  9 va9 t space is ! 
int]val :i* sep>ates two objects1 &  t  
if ! objects are suppress$1 space       
vani%es also4 ,t is a pure  s*ola/ic    
sophism4 ,! def9ition is n exact4 ,"o c 
safely say  t x is impossible to        
suppress by a ?\ght ! place :]e objects 
c\ld be4 ,! place1 ! locality1 t void1  
if y l1 by :atev]  n\n x is designat$1  
is !re q ready to receive any object :i*

  our imag9ation c suppose to be !re4   
,ev5 ?\gh ! univ]se did  n exi/1 if     
no?+1 absolutely no?+1 exi/$1 t no?+    
w\ld  /ill be space1 empty space ready  
to receive an object4 ,we are !n  =c$ to
 conclude t space exi/s by itself1 ev5  
if x _c be  measur$ 9 any way4    ,x is 
n ! same ) "t4    ,"t is creat$ by !    
movem5ts ( ! heav5ly bodies4 ,if ! e>?  
did n turn1 nor ! />s1 if !re 7 no      
succession ( p]iods1  "t w\ld n exi/4 ,x
 is a/ronomy :i* has creat$ "t4    ,if y
 suppress ! univ]se1 space cont9ues to  
exi/1 b "t  ceases1 vani%es1 disappe>s4 
,we measure ! duration ( a second1 ( an 
h\r1 ( a day1 ( a  ye>1 because !       
heav5ly bodies are !re z po9ts ( ref]5ce
  betwe5 :i* we c c\nt4 ,besides1 x is  
all relative4 ,if ! ,e>?  mov$ twice z  
sl[ly1 ! days w\ld be twice z long1 b   
w\ld be  app>5tly ! same4 ,if our cal5d>
 7 diff]5t1 x w\ld /ill be  our measure 
( "t1 & we %\ld be none ! wis]4    ,"o  
may put all ! clocks =w>d or backw>d by 
"o h\r1 & all !  cal5d>s by "o day1 "o  

mon?1 or "o ye>1 *ange ! reckon+ (  !   
c5turies1 or modify ! "t sy/em 9 any way
 "o pleases1 b x  w\ld n *ange ! real   
c\rse ( nature4    ,! t]re/rial days &  
ye>s d n c\nt 9 ! heav5s4 ,! "t  :i* c  
be measur$ 9 our own sy/em on ! ne>e/   
planets1 ,m>s1  ,jupit]1 ,saturn1 ,v5us1
 ,neptune1 al?\gh simultane\s ) t :i*   
we measure "h1 is n relative to ours4   
,"t is ess5tially local4 ,if  we did n  
exi/ !re might be o!r measures ( "t1 b x
 w\ld  n be "t accord+ to our           
conception4 ,9 fact our impressions are 
relative1 !re is no?+ absolute 9 "t4 ,if
 we suppress life1 !  s5sation ( "t     
disappe>s1 "t itself ceases to exi/4 ,9 
empty  space1 a ?\s& c5turies are no    
long] ?an "o m9ute1 because !y  d n     
exi/4    ,x is we :o say 8ye/]day0 &    
8to-morr[40 ,to nature1 ev]y?+ is       
8to-day40 ,besides1 e "o ( u has _h !   
opportunity ( prov+  = himself t "t does
 n exi/ :5 we sleep4 ,to sleep "o h\r   
or five h\rs is ! same to u z reg>ds !  
appreciation ( "t4  ,"t be+ purely      

relative1 a sleep ( a decillion ye>s    
w\ld be !  same z ! sleep ( an h\r4     
,r5an ! philosoph]1 :o express$ ?is     
tru?1 add$3 8,heav5  does n exi/2 9 a   
decillion ye>s x may possibly exi/4 ,^? 
:om a t>dy ju/ice places !re w believe t
 !y h di$  ! previ\s ev5+4 ,to h be51   
means to be4 ,succession is !  absolute 
condition ( our m9d2 b 9 a mat]ial      
object1 succession  & simultaneity are  
conf\nd$4 ,:5 9 ! pres5ce ( dea?1 we ask
  :e!r ! night w be long1 we are z      
simple z ! *ild :o asks  ! same "q 9 go+
 to b$1 because he loves ! daylight 9   
:i* he plays40    ,if our ?9k+ monads   
are associat$ ) ^! worlds to come1      
et]nity is _! empire4    ,speak+ 9 !    
absolute1 "t does n exi/4 ,b space      
exi/s4    ,x might be object$ t space   
itself is a measure1 & :5 we _c  measure
 x we _c "k x4 ,no d\bt if ! t]re/rial  
globe 7  #ajj times small]1 #h feet w\ld
 b>ely be z long z "o in*1 & !  man     
measur+ 8#f feet0 f head to foot w\ld   
really only be  in*  high4 ,b no?+ w\ld 

appe> small]1 because ! metre w\ld /ill 
be ! t5-million? "p ( ! qu>t]           
circumf]5ce ( ! ,e>?1  & ev]y?+ w\ld be 
r$uc$ 9 ! same proportion4 ,z 9 ! case  
( "t1 measurem5t is ess5tially relative 
& has no?+ absolute  ab\t x4 ,b ?is does
 n alt] ! fact t "t only exi/s by !     
succession ( ev5ts1 :]eas space exi/s   
absolutely4    ,empty space1 :i* is no?+
 to our s5ses unless we measure x by  "s
 l5g?1 _c be suppress$4 ,:e!r we measure
 x or n ?is  is no?+ to d ) its exi/5ce 
by itself4 ,^! measures ( space  :i* we 
take h no common measure ) inf9ity1 nor 
) absolute  space2 yet !y are tak5 9    
absolute space1 & dep5d ^u our means  ( 
obs]vation4 ,9 ! inf9ite void we c      
imag9e sev]al measures  ( space1 all v  
diff]5t3 = example1 a f\r? dim5sion :i* 
= u has no dim5sions at all1 & 9 :i*    
modes ( inve/igation  unkn[n to u c     
discov] o!r dim5sions :i* we _c ev5     
guess  at1 s9ce = u ?ree dim5sions      
exhau/ all possible measurem5ts (       
space4           99       99       99   

99       99      ,! pa/ :i* is no long] 
9 exi/5ce1 ! future :i* is n yet1  is   
conta9$ z a g]m 9 ! pres5t4 ,to !       
univ]sal eye1 ev]y?+  is 9 ! pres5t4 ,9 
transport+ ourselves1 z we h done1 into 
future times1 we obs]ve ! ev5ts ( ^?    
future times z if !y  7 already pres5t &
 already pa/4 ,we are ephem]al atoms    
float+  9 ! bosom ( et]nity1 se5 = an   
in/ant 9 a beam ( light4 ,we  reg>d our 
epo* z a p]man5t reality--! illusion ( a
 gra9 (  du/ :i* appe>s & disappe>s 9 ! 
beam4    ,he :o contemplates nature mu/ 
live 9 ^? ages z yet uncreat$ z  well z 
9 ^? :i* h pass$ away4 ,& ! future z    
well z !  pa/ are ev5 m real ?an !      
pres5t1 :i* does n exi/1 s9ce  f "o     
second to ano!r "t climbs up into !     
future only to fall  ,lack into ! pit ( 
! pa/4 ,%all we say t ! 8pres5t0 is !   
pres5t h\r8 ,no1 = an h\r is long4 ,!   
pres5t m9ute8 ,no1 = !  m9ute is long to
 ! obs]v+ a/ronom] or physici/4 ,!      
pres5t  second6 ,no1 = x is exce$+ly    
long to electrify4 ,%all we r$uce  !    

8pres5t0 to ! t5? ( a second8 ,yes1 if y
 l1 b x is  /ill relative to our        
s5sations4 ,/ill1 let u agree to t4 ,"h1
  !n1 is ! pres5t--a t5? ( a second6    
,all ! re/ is pa/ or  future1 & et]nity 
is ! only p]man5t reality4           99 
99       99       99       99    ,?us1 f
 t po9t ( space & "t :]e we 7 plac$ 9 t 
cele/ial region ( ! con/ellation (      
,&rom$a1 we h se5 arise  be=e u1 l a    
mummy awak5+ f a long sleep1 ! hi/ory ( 
! dead ,e>?1 :ile we saw life %ap+      
itself 9 a _w :i*1 9  our tw5tie?       
c5tury1 0 n yet 9 exi/5ce4 ,!nce1       
reasc5d+  ?r\gh ! ages1 we wat*$ ! sl[  
secul> evolution ( our  humanity1 until 
sunlit days became night & we liv$ 9 a  
new pres5t  :i*1 9 its turn1 seem$      
unique & et]nal4    ,! _w to come is    
!re1 9 ! future et]nity1 j z ! _w  (    
long ago is !re1 9 ! et]nity ( ! pa/1 & 
all is pres5t  9 ! ,absolute4    ,god   
does n look ei!r =w>d or backw>d4 ,he   
does n rememb]1  he does n =esee3 he    
sees4 ,we c write our v]bs 9 ! diff]5t  

times1 pa/1 pres5t1 & future4 ,9        
transport+ ourselves by means  ( ?\ght  
beyond ev5 ! di/ant era ( :i* we h      
sket*$ an  episode1 we c\ld describe ev5
 ?is episode z an anci5t ev5t4          
99       99       99       99       99  
,! hi/ory :i* we h writt5 took place--a 
hundr$ million ye>s  aft] to-day6       
,,iv4 ,,v5us ,,!                        
,,beautiful                             
,,*apt] ,,iv                            
,,v5us ,,! ,,beautiful                  
,e      4              7,hesp]us1 mo/   
beautiful ( />s 9 ! sky47               
,,hom]1 ,iliad4      ,,x 0 ,hom] :o1    
#c1jjj ye>s ago1 salut$ ,v5us z ! mo/   
beautiful  ( />s4 ,:o has n be5 /ruck ) 
h] wond]ful brilliance8 ,:o  c refra91  
:5 %e %9es s m>vell\sly 9 ! heav5s1 f   
greet+ h] z ! brighte/ ( ! />s & ask+   
:at my/]ies  are hidd5 9 t light8       
,?is radiant /> ( eve has be5 ! fir/ to 
be notic$ s9ce !  e>lie/ ages2 x is !   
only planet m5tion$ by ,hom]2 ,isaiah   
celebrat$ h] spl5d\r "u ! "n ( ,lucif]2 

at ! "t (  ! pyramids ! ,egyptians call$
 h] 8! cele/ial bird ( morn &  ev5tide20
 ?irty-five c5turies ago ! ,babylonians 
obs]v$ "o (  its transits across ! sun2 
! ,indians call$ h] 8! brilliant10  & ! 
,arabs 8,zorah1 ! spl5d\r ( ! sky40 ,f !
 e>lie/ days  ( ! _w %e 0 ! goddess (   
beauty & love4 ,let u raise our  eyes to
 ! heav5s to-night3 !re is ! /> *ant$ by
 ,hom] &  ,virgil4           99       99
       99       99       99    ,h[ _m   
ev5ts h happ5$ s9ce ^? f>-(f days6      
,nations1  languages1 religions1 all h  
*ang$4 ,:]e are ! eyes :i* look$  ^u    
,v5us #c1jjj ye>s ago8 ,:]e are ! he>ts 
:i* confid$ to  h] _! v[s ( love = all  
et]nity8 ,& :o w be our  successors :51 
#c1jjj ye>s h5ce1 ! ,p>isians ( !       
fiftie?  c5tury admire1 z we d n[1 ! /> 
( ! ,iliad tw9kl+ 9 _!  sky8 ,! hi/ory (
 man passes quickly1 ! waves succe$ ea* 
o!r  & disappe> 9 ! ocean ( ! ages2 !   
heav5s rema91 & !  a/ronom] smiles at   
great ambition & puny a*ievem5ts4       
99       99       99       99       99  

,v5us passes e eigh? ye> ?r\gh ! p]iod (
 greate/  brilliance                    
7#ahhi-ahig-aije-aiac-aiba-aibi74 ,%e is
 !n s bright t  %e ca/s a %ad[ l a small
 moon4 ,?is is easily se5 ei!r 9  a d>k 
room or :5 walk+ pa/ a wall 9 ! c\ntry4 
,%e c be  se5 9 daylight ) ! nak$ eye1 n
 only be=e sunset1 b at  midday if "o   
kn[s :]e %e is4 ,no /> or planet atta9s 
any?+  comp>able to su* brightness4     
,?is visibility ( ,v5us 9 daylight has  
be5 notic$ = a long "t2  sometimes x    
becomes a public ev5t1 z 9 ! spr+ (     
#aije4 ,t  ye> among o!rs our beautiful 
neighb\r 0 "u exceptionally  fav\rable  
conditions ( obs]vation4 ,ev]yone c\ld  
see ! radiant  planet flam+ 9 ! we/ 9 ! 
spr+2 9 ,febru>y1 ,m>*1 &  ,april1 !    
proximity ( ,jupit]1 & sometimes ( !    
,moon %[$ to  all eyes a mo/ *>m+       
spectacle4 ,! a/ronomical ignorance ( ! 
inhabitants ( ! ,e>? is s univ]sal t a  
free re9 0 giv5 to  fancy1 & 9 ,france  
"o c\ld read 9 ! pap]s1 "u ! title3  8,!
 ,lum9\s ,ph5om5on ( ,*]b\rg10 a s]ies (

 ! odde/ &  mo/ contradictory           
descriptions4 ,!y spoke ( an oval disc  
describ+  curves 9 ! sky2 ! appe>ance ( 
an electric meteor2 a halo due to  !    
deviation ( ! sun2 ( an illum9at$       
captive balloon1 ( a new  k9d ( m>itime 
signals1 ( an unkn[n />1 ( a comet1 ev5 
( a  8con/ellation06    ,& !re 0 m to   
come4 ,on ! elev5? day ( obs]vation1    
,april  #aa 7! /range app>ition _h      
comm5c$ on ,april #a1 & m>9]s might  h  
?\ght ( an ,april hoax71 ! m>itime      
prefect ( ,*]b\rg  ord]$ ! comm&] ( !   
,*assel\p-,laubat to /udy !  lum9\s     
ph5om5on1 ,a vessel 0 s5t to look =     
,v5us6 ,! naval  (fic]s c\ld n expla9 ! 
my/]y2 "o ( !m1 h[ev]1 wrote  t x might 
be ! planet ,jupit]6    ,o!r comm&]s1   
hav+ he>d ( ! comet discov]$ at ! ,nice 
,obs]vatory by ,m4 ,giacob9i1 ann\nc$ t 
! 8unexpla9$ light0  might well be t    
comet6 ,!y did n "k t t comet 0 a       
telescopic "o1 invisible to ! nak$ eye4 
,9 ! night ( ,april #aj-aa a meteorite 0
 se5 at ,tunis4 ,! "q  arose :e!r x 0 n 

?is meteorite :i* _h fir/ be5 se5 e     
ev5+ at ,*]b\rg6    ,! ph5om5on 0       
signall$ f ,p]pignan1 ,montauban1       
,nantes1 le  ,hvre1 ,la ,role1          
,amlie-les-,ba9s1 etc4    ,& s on4 ,e   
sort ( /upidity 0 giv5 out on ! subject4
    ,well1 a /> respl5d5t ) light %one e
 ev5+ 9 ! we/]n  sky4 ,x 0 ,v5us1 !     
fam\s ,%eph]ds' ,/>4 ,x 0 se5 f e  po9t 
( ,france1 f ,europe1 ,asia1 ! ,unit$   
,/ates--& f  ,*]b\rg z well4 ,= ?ree    
mon?s x reign$ on high e ev5+4  ,x 0    
also at its maximum brilliancy1 & s     
bright t x ca/ a  %ad[1 z we h said4 ,& 
nobody at ,*]b\rg spoke ( ,v5us1 nobody 
comp>$ ) ,v5us ! new /> situat$ 9 ! same
 region ( !  sky1 nobody ?\ght t ?is    
my/]i\s heav5ly body might be none  o!r 
?an ! radiant planet4 ,nobody seem$ to  
"k t ,v5us 0  !re6#a    ,! /ory repeat$ 
itself f ,decemb] #aiab to ,m>* #aiac4  
,v5us  que5$ x ov] ! fir/ h\rs ( !      
night1 mov+ ev] ne>] to u  & rema9+ a   
little long] e ev5+ above ! horizon4    
,on ! v r>e date record$ by ! po/m>ks z 

#ab-ab-ab 7#ab  ,dec41 #aiab71 !        
conjunction ( ,v5us & ! ,moon attract$  
g5]al  att5tion1 especially z ! wea!r 0 
f9e4 ,x 0 ! same at !  o!r conjunctions1
 ,janu>y #aiab1 ,febru>y #aa1 & ,m>*    
#aa4    ,?is association ( radiant ,v5us
 ) ! lun> cresc5t 9 !  ev5+ sky (f]s to 
! eyes ! mo/ inspir+ ( spectacles4    ,!
 s5sation caus$ at ,*]b\rg 9 ! spr+ (   
#aije by !  brilliant /> ( ! ev5+ %9+ ^u
 ! sea & tak5 = a  my/]i\s in/rum5t (   
espionage 0 r5ew$ 9 #aiac1 especially 9 
,engl&4 ,^? :o saw x1 bl9d$ by its      
radiant beauty1 7 l$ to  conf\nd !      
,%eph]ds' ,/> ) ,g]man air%ips1 & accus$
 !m (  espionage4    ,"o c\ld read1 9   
fact1 9 ! pap]1 t ! au?orities on !  o!r
 side ( ! ,*annel 7 greatly al>m$ by !  
nocturnal flight  ( my/]i\s dirigibles  
:i* came "u cov] ( ! %ades ( !  ev5+ &  
hov]$ ov] ,briti% ports4 ,! c>s & !     
balloons  !mselves 71 s x 0 said1       
invisible on acc\nt ( ! d>kness1  b !   
p[]ful se>*lights ?r[n ^u ! e>? reveal$ 
!  unusual pres5ce ( ! a]ial intrud]6   

,at ! same "t we receiv$ f ,russia      
simil> /ories ( ! fe>  inspir$ by ,v5us 
among ! p1 :o pr(ess$ to recognise 9 its
  bright light ! fires ( ,au/rian       
a]oplanes spy+ out ! upp]  atmosph]e4   
,9 ,r\mania1 ,v5us 0 tak5 = a ,russian  
a]oplane2 & 9 ,bess>abia  7,russia71    
rifle-%ots 7 fir$ at ! beautiful planet1
 9 ! belief  t x 0 a ,r\manian          
dirigible4    ,yet x w\ld be suffici5t  
to use q a small telescope or ev5 a     
good op]a-glass to correct ?is error1 = 
,v5us %[$ phases :i*  w\ld h imm$iately 
complet$ ! id5tification1 & c]ta9ly n   
all[$ x to be confus$ ) a]ial vehicles4 
,su* popul> emotions caus$ by !         
appe>ance ( ,v5us are n  conf9$ to our  
own times4 ,9 ,decemb] #agig ! "y ,g5]al
  ,bonap>te1 aft] 8 wond]ful conque/ (  
,italy1 return$ to ,p>is to  receive f !
 ,directory ! hon\rs :i* presag$ !      
consulate4  ,att5d$ by a brilliant /aff1
 he 0 go+ on horseback to !  palace ( ! 
,luxemb\rg1 :]e ! ,directory await$ him1
 :5 he  0 surpris$ to see1 9 ! ,rue de  

,t\rnon1 all ! p :o /ood  ready to greet
 him turn r\nd & look at a po9t 9 ! sky 
in/ead  ( look+ at him4 ,8 aide-de-camp 
told him t a /> %one 9 !  sky & t !     
,fr5* saw 9 x ! /> ( ! conqu]or (       
,italy4  ,x 0 ,v5us1 !n at its maximum  
brightness4 ,political conditions h     
*ang$1 b ! /> rema9s4    ,x 0 !re 9     
my?ological times3        ,v5us ,a/>te1 
daught] ( ! sea1      ,%ook (f h] "m's  
te>s amid h] fond c>esses      ,&       
f]tilis$ ! e>? 9 wr++ out h] tresses4   
,%e 0 !re1 receiv+ ! lov]s' holocau/s )9
 ! temples  consecrat$ to h] 9 ,greece1 
,egypt1 ,india1 all ov] ! _w1 = x  0 f  
h] brilliant or my/]i\s aspects ( !     
morn+ & ev5+  t ! cult ( h] *>m+        
p]sonality 0 d]iv$4 ,ev5 n[adays  _m an 
obs]v] sees 9 h] only a radiant beauty 9
 an e!real  dwell+-place1 & does n      
rememb] t sci5ce has expla9$ !  idol &  
transfigur$ ! />4    ,f its greate/     
ea/]ly elongation to its greate/ we/]ly 
elongation ! brightness ( ! planet is   
su* t :5 x is  n q close to ! sun x is  

usually se5 ) ! nak$ eye  9 daylight4   
,its phases are always curi\s & int]e/+4
 ,_!  discov]y by ,galileo 0 ( great    
importance to ! beg9n+ ( mod]n  a/ronomy
 9 prov+ t ! planets are globes )\t     
light ( _!  own1 simil> to ! globe :i*  
we inhabit4           99       99       
99       99       99    ,v5us is no     
long] = u an allegorical symbol lo/ 9 ! 
inc5se (  ! cl\ds & reign+ ov] enslav$  
he>ts2 ! ,e>? is no long]  an inf]ior   
abode controll$ by cele/ial influ5ce2 ! 
horizon  is gr[n wid]1 our planet has   
be5 lib]at$ 9 unlimit$ space2  ,v5us has
 become a cele/ial ,e>?1 our si/] &     
neighb\r1 & !  bett]-in=m$ eyes :i*     
contemplate x to-day see 9 h]1 n1  l    
,hom] & ,manilius1 a lum9\s po9t %9+    
above our heads  & controll+ ! feel+s ( 
our he>ts & ! movem5t ( our  blood1 b a 
_w correspond+ to ! _w we ourselves     
inhabit1  gravitat+ l u r\nd ! same sun1
 liv+ on ! same light &  heat1 & fit l  
ours to be> a ?9k+ race = :om ! ,e>? we 
inhabit is itself a /> 9 ! sky4         

,v5us1 ! brighte/ /> :i* ev] %9es 9 !   
limpid glory ( !  we/]n sky1 is n a />1 
/rictly speak+2 x is a planet1 a _w  l  
ours1 & ( ! same size1 :i* only %9es by 
reflect+ !  ,sun's light into space4 ,:5
 "o rememb]s t x is ! same ) u1  & t1   
se5 f ! di/ance ( "s t5 million miles1  
our ,e>?  %9es ) a simil> lu/re1 "o is  
=c$ to admit t we are mu*  m beautiful f
 af> ?an we are close by4    ,!re is    
inde$ no possible comp>ison betwe5 ! two
 aspects4 ,se5  close at h&1 we are     
agitation1 ! /ruggle = exi/5ce1 fight1  
battle1 envy1 jeal\sy1 drama1 hung]1 (t5
 mis]y2 se5 f  af>1 we are calm1 s]5ity1
 pure nobility1 cele/ial light1 almo/   
an image ( ,god6 ,x is probably ! same )
 ,v5us1 s :ite &  s radiant se5 f "h2   
possibly if we c\ld g close to h]1 we   
%\ld he> ! cries ( wild bea/s 9 ! =e/s1 
! battles ( m5  dev\r+ ea* o!r 9 s-call$
 civilis$ l&s1 & we might witness       
geological & human revolutions1 m       
=midable on acc\nt ( !  fact t ,v5us1   
y\ng] ?an ourselves1 is less advanc$ 9  

evolution4    ,be+ ne>] ! ,sun ?an we & 
envelop$ 9 a v d5se atmosph]e1  ,v5us   
mu/ h a high] temp]ature ?an ! ,e>?4    
,its atmosph]e is  heavily *>g$ ) hot   
vap\rs4 ,its sky is always ov]ca/2 ?und]
  & lightn+ mu/ be nev]-end+4           
,electricity plays no d\bt a  prom95t   
"p4 ,b1 al?\gh _m ?+s are imp]fect1 !re 
is good  ev]y:]e4    ,x is "o ( ! *>ms (
 a/ronomy t x enables u to see ?r\gh  "t
 z well z ?r\gh space4 ,^? :o rema9 9   
ignorance ( !  elem5ts ( ?is sci5ce d n 
ev5 "k t !y are depriv+  !mselves ( !   
mo/ agreeable satisfactions ( ! m9d4 ,!y
 are  l travell]s :o pass ?r\gh a       
wond]ful l&scape )\t ev5  ask+ :]e !y   
are4 ,?is planet consecrat$ to ,v5us1 ! 
goddess  ( beauty & love1 :o1 9 ! days (
 anci5t ,greece1 0 said to  h em]g$ f ! 
waves to *>m gods & m51 & ^: my?ical    
hi/ory br+s u su* eloqu5t evid5ce ( !   
influ5ce ( cele/ial  aspects ^u ! orig9 
( religions--?is planet1 we say1 owes   
its  t]re/rial glory to its situation   
betwe5 ! ,e>? & ! ,sun4 ,:ile  our globe

 gravitates r\nd ! ,sun at ! di/ance (  
#ib million miles1  9 a ye> ( #cfe days1
 ,v5us passes along ! orbit conta9$ )9  
our own1 at ! di/ance ( #fe million     
miles f ! ,sun1 9 a ye>  numb]+ #bbe    
days4    ,x foll[s t f "t to "t x passes
 betwe5 ! ,sun &  ourselves1 approa*+ to
 )9 #be million miles or ev5 less1 s9ce 
! two orbits are n circul>1 b           
elliptical4           99       99       
99       99       99    ,"o ( ! f9e/    
a*ievem5ts ( a/ronomy is hav+ made man a
  citiz5 ( ! heav5s4 ,! planet :i* we   
inhabit is a heav5ly body1  j z is      
,v5us1 ,m>s1 or ,jupit]1 & f> f occupy+ 
! c5tre  ( creation1 x lies 9 ! dep?s ( 
inf9ite space z d ! mo/  di/ant />s ( ! 
,milky ,way4 ,v5us possesses no m light 
( h]  own ?an does ! ,e>?2 %e simply    
receives ! rays ( ! ,sun &  %$s !m into 
space z ! ,moon does4 ,take1 = in/ance1 
a small  f9d] telescope & direct x t[>ds
 ,v5us2 y w see ! =m  ( a cresc5t4 ,x is
 no long] ,v5us1 b ,diana4 ,take a r m  
p[]ful telescope1 & y w see t ! bord] ( 

?is cresc5t  is n regul>1 & ! s\!rn pole
 is blunt$ & r\nd$1 :ile !  nor!rn pole 
is po9t$4 ,on increas+ ! p[] ( y\r      
in/rum5t  y w p]ceive ! atmosph]e by !  
gradual transition betwe5 !  illum9at$  
hemisph]e & ! d>k hemisph]e1 or by !    
bl9d+  cl\ds & light %ad[s :i* fleck its
 disc4    ,if y g /ill f>!r & give      
y\rself ! pa9s & ! pleasure  ( do+ a few
 a/ronomical calculations1 y w see t !  
diamet] ( its globe is j ! same z t ( ! 
,e>?--)9 "o  ?\s&? "p6--b t ,v5us is a  
little light] ?an ! ,e>?1  its d5sity   
be+ only f\r-fif?s ( ours1 :5ce x       
results t  objects weigh a little less  
on its surface ?an !y w\ld on ours3     
#a1jjj grammes transport$ on ,v5us w\ld 
only weigh #hhj grammes2 on  ,m>s !y    
w\ld weigh ev5 less1 viz4 #cgf grammes2 
& ev5 less on !  ,moon1 viz4 #afe       
grammes4 ,we are v heavy d[n "h4        
,a/ronomy alone tea*es u t ?is "y si/] (
 ours is 9  communication ) u1 n only by
 means ( light1 b also by  attraction1 &
 t space1 s f> f be+ a sep>ation betwe5 

worlds1 is a real l9k1 an invisible     
hyph54 ,= example1 :5 !  di/ance betwe5 
u & ,v5us is #be million miles1 light   
only takes #b  m9utes to cross t        
di/ance4 ,is t a s]i\s sep>ation8 ,ev5 9
  ,france a telegram1 9 spite ( its "n1 
takes m ?an an h\r to be  deliv]$ a few 
hundr$ miles away1 on acc\nt (          
int]m$iate l9ks4  ,if a/ronom]s ev]     
succe$$ 9 e/abli%+ cele/ial telegraphy1 
communication w\ld be mu* m rapid betwe5
 "o _w & ano!r  ?an betwe5 "o "p ( mod]n
 ,babylon & ano!r4 ,an int]planet>y     
telephone w\ld be almo/ in/antane\s4    
99       99       99       99       99  
,if ! lum9\s beams f ,v5us to ! ,e>?    
only take two or ?ree  m9utes to rea* u1
 accord+ to its proximity1 ! attraction 
betwe5  ! two planets is transmitt$ /ill
 m rapidly1 = x does n  ev5 take a :ole 
second4 ,& j ?9k6 ,at ! di/ance (       
millions  ( miles we feel ! my/]i\s     
influ5ce ( ,v5us1 we ab&on = a  mom5t ! 
regul> c\rse ( our orbit r\nd ! ,sun to 
foll[ 9 h]  pa?4 ,cele/ial me*anics     

calculates ?is displacem5t & acc\nts =  
x 9 its det]m9ations4    ,if ! ,sun 7 n 
! /ronge/1 ! two si/]-planets1 ,e>? &   
,v5us1 w\ld gradually approa* ea* o!r & 
w\ld graze "o ano!r  l two dragon-flies 
roam+ toge!r ?r\gh ! fields ( ! sky4  ,b
 =tunately = u1 ! omnipot5t ,sun soon   
resumes its rights1 &  ev]y?+ is re/or$ 
back to ord]4    ,! ye>s ( ,v5us are    
%ort] ?an ours4 ,_! precise duration  is
 #bbd days #af h\rs #di m9utes #h       
seconds4 ,we d n yet "k !  diurnal      
rotation1 i4e4 ! l5g? ( its days4       
,accord+ to c]ta9  obs]vations1 ?is     
appe>s to be ab\t #bd h\rs1 :ile o!rs   
indicate  t ?is planet does n turn ^u   
its axis at all1 or r1 t  its rotation  
is equal to its revolution & t x always 
turns !  same side t[>ds ! ,sun4    ,x  
is extremely difficult to det]m9e its   
rotation1 = two reasons4  ,fir/ly1      
because its atmosph]e is v d5se & always
 full (  cl\ds1 s t x is impossible to  
make out its geography & to  foll[ 9 !  
telescope ! displacem5t ( its surface   

details2 ?is  is s easily done 9 ! case 
( ,m>s1 ^: atmosph]e is always  cle>1 & 
^: rotation is kn[n ) p]fect accuracy1  
its p]iod  be+ #bd h\rs #cg m9utes #bb  
seconds4 ,! second reason is !          
difficulty pres5t$ by ! phases ( ,v5us4 
,! clos] ! planet  approa*es u 9 its    
orbit r\nd ! ,sun1 ! m does its disc    
app>5tly gr[ 9 size & ! less we see (   
its surface1 because x  at ! same "t    
passes betwe5 ! ,sun & u1 s t its       
illum9at$  hemisph]e1 be+ naturally     
turn$ t[>ds ! ,sun :i* illum9ates  x1 is
 hidd5 f u4    ,my p]sonal obs]vations  
lead me to believe t ! p]iod ( rotation 
is ab\t #bd h\rs4 ,at ! ,juvisy         
obs]vatory we h (t5 obs]v$  &           
photograph$ sn[y pat*es 9 ! nor? & s\?1 
probably  m>k+ ! extremes ( an axis &   
!re=e a rotation4    ,?is special po9t  
is n yet decid$4 ,x is q possible t !   
days are v long !re1 or r1 t !y la/ =   
ev]--p]petual  day on "o side & p]petual
 night on ! o!r side4 ,t w\ld make  x a 
v s+ul> _w4 ,on "o side light1 heat1 &  

life2 on !  o!r1 ! icy coldness ( dea?4 
,"s might *oose = _! abode  p]petual    
sunlight2 o!rs might pref] a night      
illum9at$ p]haps by  electric light2 yet
 o!rs might pref] to dwell 9 ! dawn or !
  twilight4 ,beautiful ,v5us w\ld !n h  
"o hemisph]e 9 p]petual  night & "o 9   
p]petual day4 ,h[ /range6 ,h[ our worlds
 mu/ diff]  9 ! =m ( _! organisms & !   
nature ( _! inhabitants6           99   
99       99       99       99    ,!     
sci5ce ( ! />s op5s unexpect$ outlooks  
on extra-t]re/rial  life4 ,we "k already
 t ,v5us1 ! ,e>?1 & ,m>s are ?ree       
float+ homes controll$ by ! same =ces1  
gov]n$ by ! same  attraction & cradl$ 9 
! fluctuation ( ! same magnetism4       
,reg>d$ f ?is po9t ( view1 ,v5us is m   
int]e/+ to u ?an  %e ev] 0 9 my?ological
 times4 ,is n ! k ( ^?  cele/ial        
sympa?ies a fir/ /age ( ! road lead+ to 
! conque/s  ( o!r worlds8      ,footnote
 #a3 ,! a/ronomical annuals _h ann\nc$ !
 brilliant  appe>ance ( ,v5us4 ,b :o    
reads ! ,nautical ,almanac8 ,p  pref] to

 read ! almanacs :i* falsely pr$ict ra9 
& f9e wea!r  & guess at ! political     
ev5ts ( ! ye>4 ,humanity pref]s its     
ignorance & its illusions4              
,v4 ,,!                                 
,,planet ,,m>s                          
,,*apt] ,v                              
,,! ,,planet ,,m>s      ,,! inhabitants 
( ! ,e>? are at la/ beg9n+ to take "s   
int]e/ 9 ! sky4 ,tir$ ( liv+ z bl9d     
/rang]s to _!  own c\ntry1 !y are beg9n+
 to "k t ! _w on :i*  !y move ab\t is a 
planet gravitat+ r\nd ! ,sun1 & t  o!r  
si/]-planets sw+ r\nd at ! same "t 9 !  
h>mony (  ! sol> sy/em4 ,m>s is n[ spok5
 ( 9 public z "o speaks (  politics & ( 
socialism4 ,9 ,am]ica z well z 9        
,europe1 at ,bu5os  ,ayres1 ,mexico1 or 
,c>acas1 z well z at ,p>is1 ,milan1     
,petrograd1  ,budape/1 & ,/ockholm1 !   
late/ telescopic results are discuss$4  
,x is kn[n t ?is neighb\r+ planet       
sometimes approa*es !  ,e>? )9 #cg or   
ev5 #ce million miles2 t a/ronom]s h  _!
 eyes on ! planet & t !y h obs]v$ lum9\s

 fla%es  on x1 ! explanation ( :i* is   
puzzl+ !m4 ,p rememb]  t 9 a c]ta9 ye>1 
#ahgg1 ! planet be+ 9 its greate/       
proximity1 /raight l9es resembl+ canals 
7 discov]$1 &  t ! "q ( possible        
inhabitants ( ?is new c\ntry &  future  
communication ) !m has be5 rais$4       
,que/ions are put &  answ]s are giv51   
discussions give rise to curi\s         
confusions &  exagg]ations1 b ! net     
result is t an int]e/ is creat$ 9  ^!   
high que/ions :i* raise u above !       
vulg>ities ( ord9>y  life1 & a g5]al k (
 ! univ]se is advanc$4 ,t is !  ma9 ?+4 
,! la/ occasions on :i* ,m>s 0 9 close  
proximity to u 7  #ahig1 #ahii1 & #aiji4
    ,?is rem>kable developm5t ( public  
curiosity is easily expla9$  by !       
m>vell\s a*ievem5ts ( contempor>y       
a/ronomy & !  admirable precision (     
c]ta9 results obta9$4 ,unless "o has a  
/one  in/ead ( a he>t & a lump ( fat 9 !
 place ( a bra91 x is  difficult n to   
feel "s emotion ov] ! a*ievem5ts (      
sci5ce4 ,if  we decl>e1 = in/ance1 t we 

"k ! g5]al geography ( ,m>s  bett] ?an  
we d t ( our own planet1 ! li/5] or     
read] is at  fir/ incl9$ to be some:at  
sceptical4 ,b if we %[ him1 ei!r 9  a   
telescope or 9 a diagram1 ! sn[s ( !    
nor? or s\? poles (  ,m>s1 he w admit t 
nobody has z yet _h a complete view ( ^!
  regions on ! ,e>?1 9 spite ( !        
discov]ies ( pol> explor]s1  & he w be  
conv9c$ t we d "k ^? ,m>tian regions    
bett]  ?an our own poles4 ,t is already 
a fact ( "s int]e/2 b we  c g f>!r ?an  
t4    ,x is n only ! pole1 b ! :ole     
surr\nd+ c\ntry t is  bett] kn[n on ,m>s
 ?an on ! ,e>?1 n only f ! geographical1
  b also f ! meteorological po9t ( view4
 ,?us1 = in/ance1  we c almo/ con/antly 
measure ! ext5t ( ! pol> sn[s1 &  we f9d
 t x v>ies ) ! seasons4 ,we see ) our   
own eyes !  melt+ ( ^! sn[s tak+ place v
 rapidly "u ! light &  heat ( ! ,sun1   
night aft] night1 s to speak1 dur+ a    
summ] :i*  is twice z long z ours4 ,!   
sn[s disappe> almo/ entirely1 & only  a 
little ice rema9s on a region :i* we "k1

 & :i* repres5ts  ! pole ( extreme cold1
 situat$ #bab miles f ! geographical    
pole4 ,9 spite ( ! p]sev]ance & h]oism (
 arctic explor]s1  none ( ^!            
climatological facts h be5 witness$ on  
,e>?4 ,x  is possible t ! ,m>tians are  
ignorant ( _! own ph5om5a if  !y h be5  
unable to rea* _! poles4 ,/ill1 s9ce _! 
poles  are free at ! end ( ! summ]1 !y  
are mu* bett] able ?an  we to explore _!
 pol> regions4 ,we may say t 9 g5]al !  
meteorology & climatology ( ,m>s are    
bett] kn[n ?an ^? (  ! ,e>?4 ,at ! "t :5
 y read ^! l9es y d n "k1 &  nobody c   
tell y1 :at sort ( wea!r y w h to-morr[4
  ,b we d "k almo/ c]ta9ly :at ! wea!r w
 be to-morr[1  next week1 next mon?1 on 
su* & su* a region on ,m>s3 if we d n   
wait till ! w9t] comes1 we "k t x w be  
f9e4 ,h>dly d  we see a cl\d betwe5 !   
v]nal equ9ox & ! autumnal equ9ox1  nei!r
 9 ! equatorial nor ! temp]ate regions1 
& h>dly ev5  9 ! circumpol> regions4 ,if
 we are unable to make a draw+ ( !      
telescopic image ( ! planet1 !          

difficulty h>dly ev] arises  f ! ,m>tian
 atmosph]e1 b f our own1 :i* is s (t5   
ov]ca/ or turbid4 ,all ! geographical   
configurations1 seas1 riv]s1  pla9s1    
cov]$ ) vegetation accord+ to ! moi/ure 
available1  wat]-c\rses v>y+ ) !        
seasons1 canals & oases1 are mapp$  out 
) precision2 we "k 9 advance :i* c\ntry 
w pass across  ! field ( our telescope2 
& ! p]iod ( rotation1 z already         
m5tion$1 is kn[n to ! #ajj? ( a second4 
,x is #bd h\rs #cg m9utes  #bb4eh       
seconds4 ,we also "k t ! ,m>tian ye>    
conta9s #ei1cee1jda  seconds1 i4e4 #fhf 
t]re/rial days #bc h\rs #cj m9utes #da  
seconds4  ,b s9ce t planet turns on its 
axis a little m sl[ly ?an !  ,e>?1 !re  
are only #ffh ,m>tian days 9 ! ,m>tian  
ye>4 ,9 fact  ! ,m>tian cal5d> is       
compos$ ( two successive ye>s ( #ffh    
days  & a leap ye> ( #ffi days4 ,z 9 our
 case1 !re is no exact numb]  ( days 9 !
 ,m>tian ye>4 ,p]haps _! cal5d> has also
 be5  re=m$ sev]al times )\t be+ made   
p]fect4 ,b let u hope  t !y are n z     

/upid z we1 ) our mon?s ( #bh1 #bi1 #cj1
 &  #ca days1 & call+ ! n9?1 t5?1       
elev5?1 & twelf? mon? !  sev5?1 eigh?1  
n9?1 & t5? respectively2 ) our          
disagreem5t  ab\t dates1 ,russia only   
arriv+ at ! #a/ ( ,janu>y :5 ! re/  ( ! 
civilis$ _w has rea*$ ! #ad?2 ) our ?ree
 k9ds (  days3 ! civil day :i* comm5ces 
at midnight1 ! a/ronomical day  :i*     
comm5ces ! next midday1 & ! naval day   
:i* comm5ces !  previ\s midday2 we :o   
wait$ ?\s&s ( ye>s be=e we c\ld fix  an 
exact h\r1 because we c\nt$ f           
conv5tional m]idians1 &  ! v>i\s        
c\ntries c\ld n agree ^u ! s+le m]idian4
 ,be+  probably m advanc$ ?an ourselves 
9 its planet>y age1 ,m>tian  humanity is
 mo/ likely m reasonable & is n mix$ up 
) !  littl5ess ( fronti]s1 dialects1    
cu/oms1 national rivalries1 etc4  ,= a  
long "t already1 no d\bt !y =m a simple 
unit4 ,"o may  also suppose t !y d n    
celebrate _! new-ye> fe/ival &  its     
rejoic+s amid ! w9t] fro/s1 b 9 !       
hopeful days ( !  equ9ox4           99  

99       99       99       99    ,"o ( !
 mo/ curi\s obs]vations :i* h be5 made  
on ?is  neighb\r+ planet1 or r :i* h1   
ap>t f ! canals1  attract$ ! greate/    
att5tion1 is t ( ! lum9\s fla%es4 ,x    
has be5 said t ^! fla%es are all se5 at 
! edge ( ! disc1  or beyond x4 ,?is is n
 correct2 !y %[ !mselves on ! l9e  :i*  
sep>ates ! hemisph]e illum9at$ by ! ,sun
 f ! d>k  hemisph]e--! l9e call$ !      
8t]m9ator40 ,!y are only se5 :5  ! globe
 ( ,m>s (f]s a s5sible phase1 & only    
along ! l9e (  t t]m9ator4    ,!        
ph5om5on is a slight projection1 swell+1
 or puff+-up (  ! t]m9ator4 ,x is n a m 
extraord9>y obs]vation ?an t  ( !       
irregul>ities 9 ! lun> diamet] at c]ta9 
phases3 !  ,sun illum9ates1 ei!r be=e   
its ris+ or be=e its sett+1 !  summits (
 m\nta9s ^: bases are /ill 9 d>kness1 & 
su*  summits sometimes appe> on ! ,moon 
z lum9\s po9ts deta*$ f  ! disc4 ,"s    
f]tile imag9ations h int]pret$ ^! fla%es
 z  =e/s on fire or z signals s5t out by
 ! ,m>tians4 ,?is is go+  too f>4 ,b !  

possibility ( ! population ( ,m>s by a  
human  species m intellig5t ?an ours is 
q a natural conclusion f  ! obs]vations4
 ,"o may also guess )\t sci5tific h]esy 
t  ! canals ( ,m>s are riv]s /raight5$ )
 a delib]ate int5tion  ( di/ribut+ wat] 
:i* has become a r>ity ov] t planet4 ,! 
a/ronom]s :o d5y ^! possibilities %[ a v
 poor _s4 ,b1  on ! o!r h&1 !re is no   
reason to see no?+ on t _w  b human     
activity4 ,among sev]al explanations (  
obs]v$ ph5om5a  "o mu/ always pref] !   
simple/4 ,9 ! case ( lum9\s da%es on  ! 
t]m9ator1 ! illum9ation ( m\nta9-tops or
 cl\ds by ! ,sun  suffices to acc\nt =  
!m4    ,d\bts 7 rais$ conc]n+ ?is       
explanation by ! height ( #bjj1jjj  feet
 f\nd by an a/ronom] = ! elevation ( ^! 
m\nta9s4 ,i  w5t ov] ! calculation &    
f\nd only #ae1jjj feet4 ,^! m\nta9s     
w\ld n !re=e be high] ?an ,mont ,blanc1 
& p]haps less4 ,we  %\ld also rememb] t 
^? lum9\s projections appe> e "t  t !   
planet returns to ! same condition (    
illum9ation )  reg>d to ! ,e>?4 ,!y 7   

obs]v$ 9 #ahij1 #ahib1 #ahid1 #ahii1    
#aijg1 #aiji1 #aiaa1 #aiac1 etc4 ,!     
regions :]e !y appe> are a sort  ( isl& 
call$ ,noa*is1 ano!r call$ ,hesp]ia1 & a
 ?ird call$  ,tempe4 ,accord+ to all    
appe>ances1 we h to d ) high m\nta9s    
cov]$ ) sn[ & ) /ill high] cl\ds4       
99       99       99       99       99  
,! epo* at :i* ! inhabitants ( ,m>s c   
communicate ) u  has n yet arriv$1 or   
p]haps x has already pass$ away4 ,all   
cosmological /udies agree 9 pres5t+ ?is 
planet z old] ?an  ours1 s9ce x is f>!r 
f ! ,sun1 & z hav+ pass$ ?r\gh  its     
phases ( a/ral life m rapidly ?an we1 on
 acc\nt ( its  smallness & lightness4   
,we _c pret5d to "k ! =ms :i*  liv+ be+s
 may h assum$ !re2 b we _c imag9e1 on ! 
o!r h&1 t ! =ces ( nature1 be+ ! same z 
"h &  ex]cis$ "u almo/ id5tical         
conditions 7atmosph]e1 climate1         
seasons1 wat]1 vap\rs1 etc471 h be5     
/]ilis$ by a p]petual  miracle (        
annihilation :ile on ,e>? ! cup ( life  
ov]fl[s all  r\nd & ! g5]ative =ce (    

liv+ be+s ev]y:]e surpasses  cont9ual & 
p]man5t production4 ,b :atev] may be !  
=ms (  ,m>tian humanity1 !y mu/ be      
sup]ior to u1 = sev]al reasons4 ,!  fir/
 ( ^! is t x w\ld be difficult = a human
 species to be  less intellig5t ?an     
ours1 because we d n "k h[ to behave &  
?ree-qu>t]s ( our res\rces are employ$ =
 fe$+ soldi]s4    ,! second reason is t 
progress is an absolute law :i* no?+ c  
resi/4 ,if !re=e ! inhabitants ( ,m>s h 
pass$ _! infancy1  ! c5turies h br\ght  
!m to an age ( reason1 & _! pres5t  /ate
 repres5ts :at our race w be 9 sev]al   
million ye>s4    ,a ?ird circum/ance is 
t !y are bett] situat$ ?an ourselves  = 
escap+ f ! heav9ess ( matt]4 ,a giv5    
bulk ( wat]1  e>?1 or o!r sub/ance is   
only sev5-t5?s ( ! weight x is  "h2     
#a1jjj grammes tak5 to ,m>s w\ld only   
weigh #cgf grammes !re2  & ! woman      
weigh+ #h /one w\ld only weigh #c /one  
!re4    ,&1 f9ally1 ! climatic          
conditions appe> to be mu* m agreeable  
!re4           99       99       99     

99       99    ,^? are all advantages 9 
fav\r ( ! ,m>tians4 ,if1 !re=e1 !  idea 
has occurr$ to !m to make signals to u1 
x is probably n at  ! pres5t "t4 ,!re is
 no reason t !y %\ld ?9k ( x at  ! same 
"t z we & %\ld wait = u4 ,p]haps !y tri$
 #bjj1jjj  or #cjj1jjj ye>s ago1 be=e ! 
appe>ance ( man1 at ! "t ( !  cave-be>  
or ! mammo?4 ,p]haps !y address$        
!mselves to our  planet at ! "t ( !     
,iguanodon & ! ,d9osaurus4 ,p]haps !y   
tri$ aga9 #b1jjj or #c1jjj ye>s ago4    
,nev] hav+ se5 any sign (  life1 !y w h 
conclud$ t ei!r !re are no inhabitants  
on  ! ,e>?1 or t !y are busy ) o!r ?+s  
besides ! /udy  ( ! univ]se & et]nal    
tru?s4 ,t 0 true ye/]day--& x is  true  
to-day4                                 
,,vi4 ,,! ,,giant ,,_w                  
,,( ,,jupit]                            
,,*apt] ,,vi                            
,,! ,,giant ,,_w ,,( ,,jupit]           
,,ev]ybody notices1 ye> by ye>1 9 a     
s\!rly direction1 a bright  /> :i* half 
! spectators believe to be ! ev5+ />1 b 

:i* s f> f be+ ,v5us1 is its v anti!sis4
    ,to mi/ake ,jupit] = ,v5us is a     
suffici5tly gross error4 ,b ev5  ?is    
error is pref]able to no?+4 ,x is bett] 
to be mi/ak5 ?an  n to see any?+4 ,a    
l>ge portion ( ! human race sees no?+   
at all1 ?9ks no?+1 & passes its :ole    
life 9 ! /upidity (  plants & slugs4    
,to notice ! /> 9 ! sky1 ev5 to give x a
 wrong "n1 is  some?+1 at all ev5ts4 ,x 
%[s t "o does n g ab\t ) eyes  ca/ on ! 
gr\nd or occupi$ ) worldly affairs & ) !
 _s  absorb$ by mat]ial int]e/s4        
,v5us1 ! ,%eph]ds' ,/>1 ! morn+ & ev5+  
/>1 is nev] f>  f ! sun4 ,x is nev] 9 ! 
s\?1 nei!r 9 ! ev5+ nor at  midnight4   
,its orbit r\nd ! ,sun lies )9 our own4 
,jupit]1 on  ! contr>y1 revolves r\nd ! 
same ,sun along an orbit outside our    
own1 five times z f> z ! c5tral lum9>y1 
at #dhe million miles  in/ead ( #ib     
million miles4 ,! di/ance betwe5 u &    
,jupit] is  !re=e always great] ?an #cic
 million miles except :5 ! ,e>?  rea*es 
! extremity ( its elliptical orbit      

78aphelion07 at a "t  :5 ,jupit] is 9   
8opposition0 to ! ,sun4 ,we (t5 see x at
 a m$ium  di/ance ( #dej million miles4 
,if ! atmosph]e ext5d$ ov] all t        
di/ance1 an a]oplane fly+ )\t a /op at  
#fb miles an h\r1 &  !re=e cov]+ #a1ejj 
miles a day1 w\ld take no less ?an      
#cjj1jjj  days or #hab ye>s to complete 
! voyage4 ,x w\ld be wise to take "s    
provisions ) u6    ,b on :at sort ( a _w
 %\ld we arrive8    ,a giant _w1 an     
imm5se _w1 a /range _w4 ,x is only a    
?\s&  times small] ?an ! ,sun--t is to  
say1 #a1jjj times l>g] ?an !  ,e>?1 or  
ev5 m4 ,jupit] is elev5 times l>g] 9    
diamet] ?an  our globe1 i4e4 #a1cjj     
times l>g] 9 volume4 ,gravitation is    
enorm\s  at its surface1 #b times :at x 
is "h4 ,a man weigh+ #aj /one  "h w\ld  
weigh #be /one !re4 ,b its d5sity is v  
l[1 be+  "o-qu>t] ( t ( ! e>?4 ,x is a  
_w ( wat] & m or  less d5se gas4        
,a/ronom]s obs]ve x ) great int]e/ s9ce 
!y see x furr[$  ) v>i\s curr5ts &      
envelop$ 9 cl\ds & vap\rs4 ,! curr5ts   

at ! surface revolve ) diff]5t spe$s1 s 
t x is difficult  to "k :at is !        
rotation ( ! planet itself4 ,at !       
equator1 ?is  rotation is accompli%$ 9  
#i h\rs #ej m9utes #cj seconds2 n f> f  
! equator1 9 ! subtropical regions1 x   
takes #i h\rs #ee m9utes #da  seconds4  
,s9ce ,jupit]'s ye> is twelve times z   
long z ours1 !re  are m ?an #aj1jjj days
 p] annum4    ,"h is a curi\s           
circum/ance3 on acc\nt ( ! diff]5ce (   
rotation1 ! ,jovian ye> comprises #hg m 
7,jovian7 days at !  equator ?an x does 
9 ! subtropical zone4 ,if x 7 ! same on 
our globe1 ! inhabitants ( ! ,congo1    
,colombia1 ,borneo1 & ,sumatra  w\ld h a
 day m 9 _! ye> 7& ev5 five 9 f\r ye>s7 
?an  ^? ( ,s5egal1 ! ,antilles1 ,siam1  
or ,india1 a diff]5ce ( #abe  days p]   
c5tury6 ,x w\ld be difficult to keep _! 
cal5d>s 9  agreem5t4    ,!re are sev5 or
 eight k9ds ( curr5ts betwe5 ! equator &
 !  poles1 s t "o c say ( ,jupit]1 z ( !
 ,sun1 t x does n  turn 9 "o piece4     
,& ^? spe$s !mselves v>y ) ! ye>s4 ,9 ! 

s\!rn  tropical zone !re is a curi\s    
spot :i* has be5 foll[$ )  "s int]e/ =  
fifty ye>s4 ,al?\gh x is mu* l>g] ?an ! 
,e>?1 x seems to float 9 ! curr5t4      
,con/ant obs]vation %[s its  p]iod (    
rotation to h be5 #i h\rs #ee m9utes #da
 seconds 9 #aijj  & #i h\rs #ee m9utes  
#ci seconds 9 #aijf1 & its p]iod return$
 9  #aiac to ! figure ( #aijj4 ,:at is !
 nature ( ?is float+ spot8  ,9 #ahij its
 col\r 0 r$4 ,x !n gradually got pal]1 &
 !n  p9k once m4 ,its %ape 0 t ( a long 
oval1 measur+ #bf1jjj  miles 9 l5g?1 or 
m ?an ?ree times ! diamet] ( our globe4 
,! curr5t 9 :i* x floats has n ! same   
p]iod ( rotation  z ! spot itself4 ,!   
spot is pu%$ f we/ to ea/1 & x has      
%ift$ #eg degrees 9 two ye>s4 ,n[1 a    
degree on ! globe ( ,jupit]  9 t        
latitude repres5ts #gbj miles4 ,?is     
,jovian =mation has1  !re=e1 be5        
displac$ #da1jjj miles1 or a di/ance m  
?an five  times ! diamet] ( our planet4 
,x is z if ,au/ralia 7 to deta*  itself 
f ! bottom ( ! sea & float ab\t on !    

surface (  ! ,pacific ,ocean6 ,does ?is 
oscillation1 :i* we only see 9 plan1  & 
n 9 elevation1 indicate ! =mation ( a   
satellite try+ to  dis5gage itself f its
 p>5t planet & n succe$+8 ,x looks  z if
 !re 7 on ?is giant _w ( ,jupit] no     
surface at all1  b irregul> a]ial lay]s 
"o ov] ! o!r1 & full ( cl\ds4  ,!       
temp]ature mu/ be v high1 & enorm\s     
masses ( vap\r  are =m$1 to wre/le 9    
prodigi\s /orms4 ,?\gh my?ology is (  no
 importance "h1 x is evid5t t ,jupit] is
 inde$ ! god (  ?und]-/orms4 ,jupit] is 
a _w 9 ! mak+1 a sun :i* has lo/  its   
light1 b n its heat4 ,its d5sity1 ne>ly 
equal to t ( !  ,sun1 is b>ely great]   
?an t ( wat]4 ,a globe ( vap\r v>i$ by  
m\nta9s ( cl\ds1 impalpable ,himalayas1 
a]ial ,alps 9 convulsions1  fluid &     
con/antly agitat$ ,pyr5ees6 ,its        
colossal bulk has prev5t$  its cool+ z  
fa/ z our ,e>?1 & x w no d\bt take t5s (
  hundr$s ( millions ( ye>s to arrive at
 a temp]ature fit =  inhabitants4 ,9 all
 probability !re is nobody yet on       

,jupit]1 nei!r  m5 nor animals nor      
plants4 ,?is imm5se _w is 9 its         
primordial  /ate & prep>es itself = !   
future4    ,spectrum analysis %[s t !   
sub/ances :i* ab\nd !re are  diff]5t f  
t]re/rial sub/ances4 ,any liv+ be+s :o  
may  develop !re w probably be *emically
 diff]5t f t]re/rial  be+s1 & consi/ n (
 oxyg51 hydrog51 c>bon1 or nitrog51  b (
 comb9ations ( o!r sub/ances4 ,x w be a 
diff]5tly  con/itut$ _w4    ,our int]e/ 
9 obs]v+ x is n less5$ by t             
consid]ation4  ,! ?9k+ m9d kn[s t our   
pres5t era is ( no p>ticul>  importance4
 ,x has be5 prec$$ by o!r eras & w be   
succe$$ by  o!r cycles4 ,x is n because 
we live at ?is p>ticul> mom5t t  our "t 
c be said to be ( any special value4 ,! 
ye>s contempor>y  ) ,jesus ,*ri/ or ) ! 
,ph>aohs :o built ! pyramids _h j  z mu*
 value z ours1 & :5 we %all no long] be 
!re1 ! ,e>?  w cont9ue to revolve &     
measure out _! days to our successors   
indef9itely4 ,:e!r ,jupit] is inhabit$  
?is ye> or 9 #ejj1jjj  ye>s or 9        

#aj1jjj1jjj ye>s is ! same to !         
philosoph]4 ,ev]y?+  to him is pres5t1  
bo? ! future & ! pa/ 444 ?is great      
subject  has already be5 dealt )1 & !re 
is no ne$ to ref] to x aga94    ,let u  
greet ,jupit] z ! symbol ( ! future4    
,beh9d him1 among !  con/ellation1 !re  
are />s ^: light1 />t+ at ! "t (  !     
siege ( ,troy1 has only arriv$ to-day4  
,?us 9 ! same cele/ial  record ! pa/ & !
 future are ?r[n toge!r1 & !y tell u  t 
if !re is any?+ int]e/+ 9 human life x  
is ,?\ght1 !  m9d :i* contemplates !    
univ]se1 :i* lives intellig5tly1 &  )\t 
:i* all ,nature w\ld be b ! play ( an   
automaton4                              
,,vii4 ,,he>tbeats                      
,,across ,,space                        
,,*apt] ,,vii                           
,,he>tbeats ,,across ,,space            
,,across #ib million miles ( space !    
magnetic pulses ( ! sol> he>t  are      
transmitt$ to ! e>?1 & !y make ! small &
 light compass  ne$le1 ev] trembl+ &    
seek+ its pole1 vibrate on its pivot4   

,?is magnetic ne$le does n rema9 fix$ 9 
! magnetic m]idian1  b oscillates e day 
to ! "r & left ( ! l9e1 i4e4 to  ! ea/ &
 we/4 ,! greate/ deviation is produc$ at
 ab\t #h a4m4  ,! ne$le /ops & returns  
to ! magnetic m]idian ( ! "t 7x  v>ies f
 ye> to ye>71 crosses x a little aft]   
#aj a4m41 &  cont9ues to deviate t[>ds !
 we/1 rea*+ its greate/ deviation  ab\t 
#a4ae p4m4 ,x !n returns to ! m]idian1  
:i* x rea*es ab\t  #f p4m4 & crosses to 
! ea/4 ,x moves v sl[ly1 ) a slight     
oscillation betwe5 #h & #aj p4m4 to !   
ea/1 atta9+ at #h a4m4 !  greate/ ea/]ly
 deviation ) :i* we began4    ,su* is ! 
daily oscillation ( ! ne$le1 a process  
expressive (  ! unkn[n & my/]i\s vital  
curr5t :i* trav]ses our planet &        
manife/s1 s to speak1 ! s\l ( ! e>?4    
,?is ph5om5on is absolutely g5]al & is  
obs]v$ on ! entire  globe1 f ! equator  
to ! poles1 9 ! same mann]2 ! amplitude 
( ! oscillation increases ) ! latitude b
 n proportionately2  x only am\nts to #a
 or #b m9utes ( arc 9 ! tropics1 to #i  

m9utes  9 ,france1 & #g m9utes 9        
,norway4 ,?is v>iation corresponds      
s5sibly  to ! v>iation ( temp]ature1 !  
amplitude ( :i* increases  f ! tropics  
to ! poles4 ,heat1 electricity1         
wat]-vap\r1 &  b>ometric pressure are   
all associat$ ) x4    ,!re are c]ta9    
p]turbations1 to be m5tion$ pres5tly1 to
 :i*  "s human be+s are sometimes a     
little too s5sive4 ,we live envelop$  9 
an invisible _w4    ,! amplitude ( ?is  
daily oscillation v>ies f day to day1  f
 mon? to mon?1 f ye> to ye>4 ,if we take
 ! mean ( !  obs]vations ( a :ole ye>1  
we f9d t f "o ye> to ano!r  x *anges f a
 c]ta9 am\nt to d\ble t am\nt & t ?is   
annual v>iation is regulat$ by a law4 ,x
 is p]iodic1 & ! av]age  p]iod is elev5 
or twelve ye>s4    ,= in/ance1 9 #ahgj !
 oscillation 0 twelve m9utes ( arc & 9  
#ahgh x 0 six m9utes4 ,i take ! figures 
= ,london1 ,prague1 ,muni*1  ,rome1 &   
,milan--n ^? = ,france1 = no obs]vations
 7 made 9  t t]rible ye>1 or !y 7 made  
badly1 & ,i made _m enemies  by insi/+  

^u !m4    ,t ye>1 #ahgj1 0 a maximum4   
,!re 7 o!r maxima1 b n q  s great1 9    
#ahhc1 #ahic1 #aije1 & 9 #aiaf4 ,! cycle
 v>ies f t5  to ?irte5 ye>s4    ,n[1 ?is
 behavi\r ( ! magnetic ne$le corresponds
 exactly to !  /ate ( heal? ( ! ,sun1   
i4e4 its activity or ! numb] ( sunspots 
or :irlpools :i* indicate x z well z its
 gigantic flames1  protub]ances1 facul1 
& ! v>i\s manife/ations ( its radiat+   
p[]4    ,!re 0 a v consid]able maximum (
 sunspots 9 #ahgj4 ,ano!r  maximum      
occurr$ 9 #ahhc & ano!r 9 #aije1 b !    
latt] 7 less  m>k$ ?an t ( #ahgj4 ,9    
#aiah ano!r v well def9$ maximum        
occurr$4    ,m9ima ( sunspots1          
protub]ances1 & facul 7 obs]v$ 9 #ahgh1 
#ahhi1 #aija1 & #aiac4 ,n[1 ^! maxima & 
m9ima correspond exactly  ) ! v>iation (
 ! compass ne$le1 z is %[n 9 ! tables & 
curves publi%$ 9 my ,a/ronomie          
,populaire4    ,if curves are trac$ =   
sol> activity on ! "o h& & magnetic     
oscillation on ! o!r h&1 x is f\nd t !  
two curves are  absolutely p>allel4     

,sci5ce has be5 able to trace ?is       
p>allelism  v f>1 z f> back inde$ z !   
eighte5? c5tury1 & x is  f\nd to include
 ! aurora borealis1 :i* is a magnetic   
ph5om5on4  ,! concordance is evid5t &   
absolutely inconte/able4    ,?us !re    
con/antly emanates f ! ,sun a =ce       
diff]5t f  light & heat1 a =ce we d n   
p]ceive ) our s5ses & :i*  places our   
small & mobile planet 9 con/ant         
communication ) our  c5tral />1 :i* is m
 ?an a million times great] 9 volume4   
,! ,sun sometimes exp]i5ces viol5t      
expansions1 p]turbations1  tempe/s1 &   
magnetic /orms4 ,! smalle/ di/urbances  
:i* happ5  9 our =midable /> are        
transmitt$ to u4    ,= in/ance3 ! ye>s  
#aijd to #aijh 7 v /range s f> z !  ,sun
 0 conc]n$4 ,in/ead ( ! s+le maximum :i*
 is usually  obs]v$1 !re 7 two maxima1  
"o 9 #aije & ano!r 9 #aijg1 #aijf  be+  
less active4 ,! curve trac$ to repres5t 
! numb] ( sunspots  %[s two peaks1 9    
#aije & #aijg respectively1 ) a         
depression 9  #aijf4 ,x is ! same )     

t]re/rial magnetism3 maxima 9 #aije &   
#aijg1 ) a slight weak5+ 9 #aijf4    ,:5
 ,i discov]$ ?is unexpect$ co9cid5ce =  
#aijf1 sev]al  sceptics 7 greatly       
surpris$4 ,yet x is true4    ,x 0 ! same
 :5 ,i accus$ ! ,sun ( be+ ! au?or ( !  
int]ruption ( telephonic & telegraphic  
communication on ,septemb]  #be1 #aiji1 
:i* took place ov] ! :ole ( ,france1 9  
all ,europe1  & ?r\gh\t ! _w4 ,!        
telephone girls 7 unju/ly blam$ &  !    
telegraph eng9e]s 7 equally innoc5t4 ,:y
 _h no newspap]  ?\ght ( x8 ,p]haps     
because politics are cultivat$ m ?an    
sci5ce 9 ! pap]s ( our unbalanc$ days4  
,i d n accuse our  c\ntry m ?an ano!r1 !
 ,engli%1 ,g]man1 ,am]ican1 ,au/ralian1 
& o!r editors hav+ be5 equally a/ray    
conc]n+ ! cause (  ! p]turbation4    ,on
 t day ! int5sity ( ! e>?-curr5ts :i*   
produc$ !  breakd[n 0 #ej million       
amp]es1 :]eas ! in/rum5ts "w  regul>ly )
 #aj to #ab milliamp]es4 ,! :ole        
t]re/rial globe  _h be5 plung$ into a   
magnetic field ( great int5sity1 into a 

v]itable dynamic ocean orig9at+ 9 a sol>
 torr5t4 ,a l>ge gr\p  ( sunspots       
surr\nd$ by facul _h arriv$ on ! ea/]n  
limb (  ! sol> globe on ,septemb] #ag1 &
 _h gradually advanc$ t[>ds  ! c5tral   
m]idian ( ! sol> hemisph]e turn$ t[>ds u
 by  ! ,sun's rotation4 ,on ! #ai?1 ?is 
gr\p _h become mu* l>g]4  ,!            
spectroscope _h indicat$ viol5t         
eruptions4 ,! enorm\s gr\p  ( sunspots 0
 visible to ! nak$ eye & num]\s         
photographs (  x _h be5 tak5 at !       
,juvisy ,obs]vatory4 ,x pass$ ! c5tral  
m]idian ( ! ,sun on ! morn+ ( ,septemb] 
#bd & cont9u$ its  c\rse t[>ds ! we/]n  
limb1 disappe>+ f sight on ,octob]  #a4 
,! magnetic p]turbation :i* /ruck our   
planet arriv$ #cj h\rs  aft] ! passage (
 ?is gr\p ( sunspots across ! c5tral    
m]idian  ( ! sol> hemisph]e fac+ u4     
,we _h already1 on ,octob] #ca1 #aijc1  
obs]v$ a simil> cosmic  ph5om5on1 &     
previ\sly on ,novemb] #ah1 #ahhb1 &     
,augu/ #c1 #ahgb4  ,ev5 be=e t date a   
simil> ev5t took place on ,septemb] #a1 

#ahei4 ,b memory is %ort1 & 9 any case  
a/ronomical ignorance is  univ]sal4     
,! magnetic l9k1 invisible b p[]ful1    
jo9s our ,e>? to !  c5tral body ( ! sol>
 sy/em4 ,pebus ,apollo holds u 9 ! holl[
  ( 8 h& at a di/ance ( #ib million     
miles1 & we feel 8 pulse  z he feels our
 feeble he>t-beats4 ,x is n only        
gravitation1 nor  only light1 nor yet   
only heat1 :i* ?r[s a cele/ial bridge f 
! ,sun to ! ,e>?2 x is also electricity2
 x is also magnetism2  x is a =ce /ill  
unkn[n & unexpla9$ :i* no d\bt ma9ta9s  
communication betwe5 all ! worlds4 ,= ! 
e!real wave t\*es  ,m]cury1 ,v5us1 ,m>s1
 ,jupit]1 ,saturn1 ,uranus1 & ,neptune z
 x  t\*es u1 & if we c\ld utilise x we  
c\ld communicate ) our  neighb\rs 9 !   
heav5s4    ,int]/ell> magnetism6 ,at ea*
 /age 9 ! advance ( sci5ce new  horizons
 op5 out1 unexpect$ p]spectives reveal  
!mselves1 enl>g+  ! field ( our conque/ 
ov] nature1 b :at we d "k already is  a 
m]e no?+ 9 comp>ison ) :at we are yet to
 "k4    ,:at is ! nature ( ! wave or    

sub/ance :i* leaves ! ,sun &  rea*es !  
,e>? to produce ^? agitations ( !       
magnetic ne$le1  ^? magnetic /orms &    
auror boreales8    ,contempor>y physics 
has be5 busy = tw5ty ye>s ab\t ions1    
electrons1 & electric p>ticles4 ,! great
 p]turbations describ$  above are       
suppos$ to be due to ! arrival 9 ! upp] 
atmosph]e  ( torr5ts ( electrons        
project$ by ! ,sun & imp++ ^u !  ,e>? ) 
a spe$ ( sev]al ?\s& miles p] second4 ,!
 ph5om5on  is mo/ int5se :5 ^!          
emanations f ! day-/> hit ! ,e>?        
directly4 ,:5 !y pass on "o side1 no?+  
out ( ! way happ5s4  ,x may be t !      
torr5t project$ 9 a c]ta9 direction by !
 ,sun  on ,septemb] #bd fill$ space 9 ! 
direction ( projection1 & t  our globe1 
travell+ along its orbit at #fg1jjj     
miles an h\r1 only  pass$ ?r\gh t region
 on ! foll[+ day4    ,ions & electrons1 
^? conv5i5t gobl9s ( pres5t-day physics1
 d  !y exi/8 ,nobody has ev] se5 !m4    
,p]haps !y are only +5i\s               
int]pretations4 ,:at does c]ta9ly exi/  

is electric =ce4 ,we may  also ?9k ( !  
repell+ =ce ex]t$ by ! ,sun1 :i* bl[s  s
 /rongly ^u ! nuclei ( comets & produces
 tails sev]al  million miles long &     
always 9 ! direction oppos$ to ! ,sun4  
,electricity plays a great "p 9 !       
appe>ance1 ! illum9ation1  & !          
dislocation ( comets' tails1 z we see   
ne>ly e ye> 9  ! photographs tak5 at !  
,juvisy ,obs]vatory & :i* make su*      
picturesque & sugge/ive revelations 7x  
ev5 plays a "p 9 organic  cells & among 
microbes74    ,:atev] may be ! real     
nature ( ! =ce 9 action1 x is c]ta9  t !
 magnetic l9k diff]s f univ]sal         
gravitation1 b x is no  less intimate & 
all-p]vad+4 ,! tw9 =ces ( gravitational 
&  magnetic attraction betwe5 worlds c  
only be lik5$ to ! univ]sal  =ce ( love1
 :i* attracts s\ls t[>ds ea* o!r4       
,,viii4 ,,ideas ,,conc]n+               
,,communication ,,betwe5                
,,! ,,worlds                            
,,*apt] ,,viii               ,,ideas    
,,conc]n+ ,,communication ,,betwe5 ,,!  

,,worlds      ,,t 9 a future1 :i* is    
p]haps n v f> di/ant1 say 9 a  c5tury or
 two1 ! inhabitants ( our planet might  
ent] into optical1  electrical1 or      
telepa?ic communication ) ^? ( ano!r    
planet (  ! sol> sy/em is an ev5t :i* we
 h "s "r to expect1 ?\gh  x is n a matt]
 ( to-morr[4    ,ab\t ! ye> #ahdj !     
a/ronom] von ,littr[1 ,director ( !     
,vi5na ,obs]vatory1 put =w>d ! idea (   
attempt+ an optical  communication ) !  
,moon4 ,a triangle trac$ ^u ! soil ( !  
,moon by ?ree lum9\s l9es ea* f #g to #i
 miles long w\ld be  visible f "h by    
means ( our telescopes4 ,we ev5 obs]ve  
mu*  small] detail1 su* z ! s+ul>       
topographical designs notic$ 9  ! lun>  
circle :i* goes by ! "n ( ,plato4 ,?us a
 triangle1 a  squ>e1 or circle ( t size1
 con/ruct$ by u on a va/ pla9 by  means 
( lum9\s po9ts1 ei!r dur+ ! day by !    
reflection (  sunlight1 or dur+ ! night 
by means ( electric light1 w\ld be      
visible to ! a/ronom]s ( ! ,moon1 if su*
 a/ronom]s exi/ &  if !y h optical      

in/rum5ts equival5t to ours4    ,! re/ (
 ! argum5t is ( ! simple/4 ,if we obs]v$
 on !  ,moon a correctly con/ruct$      
triangle1 we %\ld be consid]ably        
int]e/$4 ,we %\ld ask ourselves :e!r we 
_h obs]v$ wrongly or  :e!r an accid5tal 
geographical movem5t might h giv5 rise  
to a  regul> figure4 ,we %\ld no d\bt   
end by admitt+ t exceptional            
possibility4 ,b if we sudd5ly saw t     
triangle *ange into a squ>e1  & "s mon?s
 lat] be replac$ by a circle1 we %\ld !n
 admit  logically t an intellig5t effect
 proves an intellig5t cause1 &  we %\ld 
?9k ) "s reason t su* figures und\bt$ly 
reveal  ! pres5ce ( geomet]s on !       
neighb\r+ _w4    ,f t position to a se>*
 = ! reason = ! =mations on  ! ,moon's  
surface & to ! "q :y & ) :at object ^?  
unkn[n comrades drew ^? figures w\ld be 
a %ort /ep quickly  tak54 ,w\ld x be ) !
 idea ( ent]+ into communication )  u8  
,! hypo!sis w\ld n be absurd4 ,x w\ld be
 put =w>d1 x  w\ld be discuss$1 x w\ld  
be reject$ z f>-fet*$ & def5d$  z +5i\s4

 ,& aft] all1 :y n8 ,:y %\ld !          
inhabitants (  ! ,moon n be m curi\s ?an
 we1 m intellig5t1 ( high]  aspirations1
 less /uck 9 ! bog ( mat]ial            
necessities8 ,:y %\ld  !y n suppose t ! 
,e>? c be inhabit$ z well z _! own  _w1 
& :y %\ld ^! geometrical appeals n be   
made ) !  object ( ask+ u :e!r we exi/8 
,besides1 x is n difficult  to reply4   
,we are %[n a triangle1 we reproduce x  
"h4 ,a circle is  trac$1 we imitate x4  
,& s communication is e/abli%$ betwe5 ! 
,heav5s & ! ,e>? = ! fir/ "t s9ce !     
beg9n+ ( !  _w4    ,geometry be+ ! same 
= all ! inhabitants ( ! univ]se1 &      
twice two mak+ f\r 9 all ! regions (    
inf9ite space1 & !  ?ree angles ( a     
triangle always be+ equival5t to two "r 
angles1  signals ?us ex*ang$ betwe5 !   
,e>? & ! ,moon w\ld n ev5  h ! obscurity
 ( ! hi]oglyphics deciph]$ by           
,*ampollion1  & ! communication1 once   
e/abli%$1 w\ld become regul> &  f]tile4 
,besides1 ! ,moon is close by4 ,its     
di/ance ( #bdj ?\s&  miles is only ?irty

 times ! diamet] ( ! e>?1 & _m a rural  
po/man has cov]$ t am\nt ( gr\nd on foot
 dur+ ! c\rse  ( 8 life4 ,a telegram    
w\ld arrive !re 9 a second & a qu>t]1  &
 light takes ! same "t to cov] t        
di/ance4 ,! ,moon is a  cele/ial prov9ce
 jo9$ to our de/9y by ,nature h]self4   
,up to n[ we h notic$ no?+ on ! ,moon   
:i* might lead u  to suspect ! exi/5ce (
 a ?9k+ humanity inhabit+ t  small      
cele/ial isl&4 ,tet ! a/ronom]s :o      
specially obs]ve  our satellite & :o    
/udy its s+ul> aspects ) att5tion &     
p]sev]ance are g5]ally ( op9ion t t     
heav5ly body is n  z dead z x seems4 ,we
 mu/ n =get t 9 ! pres5t /ate (  optical
 sci5ce x is difficult 9 practice to    
apply to ! /udy (  ! ,moon a            
magnification great] ?an a ?\s& times4  
,to see our  satellite a ?\s& times     
clos] ?an x really is /ill leaves x  at 
a di/ance ( #bdj miles4 ,n[1 :at c be   
di/+ui%$ at su* a  di/ance8    ,x is    
c]ta9 t my/]i\s v>iations actually occur
 on ! surface1  notably 9 ! ar5a ( !    

amphi!atre ( ,plato z m5tion$ above4    
,:at is also c]ta9 is t ! lun> globe1   
#di times small] ?an  ! e>? & #ia times 
light]1 ex]ts on its surface a          
gravitational  attraction six times less
 ?an t :i* exi/s at ! surface ( our  own
 planet1 s t an atmosph]e analog\s to ! 
air we brea! w\ld  be m r>efi$ &        
difficult to p]ceive f "h4 ,x is !re=e  
n surpris+ t ?is neighb\r+ _w is s      
diff]5t f ours4  ,besides1 se5 f a      
balloon #c or #d miles above gr\nd1 !   
,e>?  appe>s des]t$1 un9habit$1 z sil5t 
z an imm5se cemet]y1 &  :oev] arriv$ f !
 ,moon 9 a balloon c\ld ask himself ev5 
at  t small di/ance :e!r !re 7 any p 9  
,france or any  s\nd 9 ,p>is4 ,su* at   
lea/ is ! impression convey$ to me by my
  a]ial voyages4           99       99  
99       99       99    ,! cold & dea?ly
 aspect ( our pale satellite 0 n        
enc\rag+  = ! realisation ( ! orig9al   
project ( ! a/ronom] ,j4 von  ,littr[1 &
 soon aft]w>ds1 =gett+ our ne>e/        
neighb\r1 !  imag9ation ( "s physici/s 0

 bold en\gh to consid] ! planet  ,m>s1  
:i* is nev] ne>] ?an #ce million miles1 
b is ! be/  kn[n ( all ! c\ntries ( !   
sky & :i* (f]s s _m po9ts  ( resemblance
 ) our _w t we %\ld h>dly feel exil$ if 
we  7 to transport our h\sehold gods    
?i!r4 ,! aspect ( ,m>s inde$  t5ds to   
com=t u aft] t ( ! ,moon4 ,"o c\ld      
imag9e oneself  9 "s t]re/rial region4  
,! seasons1 summ] & w9t]1 autumn &      
spr+1 days & night1 morn+s & ev5+s1     
wat]s1 cl\ds1 sn[s1  atmosph]ic         
v>iations1 pla9s adorn$ ) v>i\s         
vegetations--all  ^! ?+s pres5t _m      
resemblances to our own _w4 ,! ye>s are 
long] !re s9ce !y la/ #fhg days1 b !    
extreme v>iations (  ! seasons are ab\t 
! same z ) u s9ce ! incl9ation ( !  axis
 is ab\t ! same4 ,! days are also a     
little long]1 s9ce !  diurnal rotation  
is #bd h\rs #cg m9utes #bc seconds1 b ! 
diff]5ce  is n great4 ,& y w notice t   
?is is all kn[n ) great  precision1 t   
diurnal rotation1 = example1 is kn[n to 
)9  "o-t5? ( a second1 or we might ev5  

say "o-hundr$? ( a second4    ,:51 on a 
f9e />ry night1 we exam9e ?is _w ?r\gh !
  telescope1 :5 we see ! pol> sn[s :i*  
melt 9 ! spr+1 !  f9ely m>k$ cont95ts1 !
 m$it]raneans ) long gulfs1 !  eloqu5t &
 v>i$ geographical configuration1 "o _c 
help ask+  :e!r ! ,sun :i* illum9ates t 
_w z x does ours %9es on  no?+ liv+1    
:e!r ^? ra9s f]tilise any?+1 :e!r t     
atmosph]e is brea!d by any liv+ be+1 &  
:e!r t _w  ( ,m>s :i* rolls swiftly     
?r\gh space resembles a railway tra9    
travell+ empty )\t ei!r goods or        
pass5g]s4 ,! idea t !  ,e>? :]e we are  
c\ld sw+ r\nd ! ,sun z x does )\t be+   
inhabit$ by any creature :atev] appe>s s
 absurd z to be h>dly  wor? ?9k+ ab\t4  
,by :at p]man5t miracle ( /]ilisation   
w\ld  ! =ces ( nature :i* act !re z !y d
 "h h rema9$  et]nally inactive & b>r58 
99       99       99       99       99  
,x is !re=e conceivable t "o might apply
 to ,m>s ! plan  orig9ally propos$ = !  
,moon4 ,! di/ance ( t planet is su*  t  
al?\gh x is mu* l>g] ?an ! ,moon 9      

volume1 x appe>s #fc  times small] :5 x 
is ne>e/ to u4 ,yet "o may und]/& t  a  
telescope :i* magnifies #fc times       
enl>ges ,m>s to ! size ( !  ,moon z se5 
) ! nak$ eye1 & t a magnification ( #fcj
 gives  x a diamet] t5 times l>g] ?an t 
( our satellite4    ,yet if ev] !       
attempt is made to put any sort (       
project (  communication betwe5 u & ,m>s
 into practice1 ! signals w\ld h  to be 
c>ri$ out on a mu* va/] scale4 ,x w\ld n
 be triangles1  squ>es1 circles1 (      
sev]al miles :i* w\ld h to be con/ruct$1
  b figures ( #gj miles or m1 always    
suppos+ 7#a7 t ,m>s is  inhabit$1 7#b7 t
 ^! inhabitants occupy !mselves )       
a/ronomy1  7#c7 t !y h optical in/rum5ts
 analog\s to ours1 & 7#d7 t  !y c>efully
 obs]ve our planet1 :i* to !m is a      
brilliant />  ( ! fir/ magnitude1 !     
morn+ & ev5+ />1 & 9 fact !  brighte/   
heav5ly body4    ,is ?is f\rfold        
hypo!sis acceptable6 ,if t "q 7 put to  
! vote ( ! citiz5s ( ! ,e>?1 )\t ask+ ! 
op9ion (  ! ,c5tral ,african savages or 

! ,s\? ,sea ,isl&]s1 b only !  num]ical 
majority ( ! ,european population1 "o   
may safely wag]  t !y w\ld n ev5 und]/& 
! "q1 = ! majority (  mank9d does n "k t
 ! ,e>? is a planet & t ! o!r  planets  
are ,e>?s4    ,& !n !re is s\nd common  
s5se :i* reasons s ju/ly on  acc\nt ( ! 
excell5ce ( its education4 8,we are10 x 
says1 8)\t  d\bt ! mo/ intellig5t be+s (
 creation4 ,:y %\ld o!r planets  h !    
hon\r ( be+ enri*$ by intellectual      
excell5ce su* z  ours8 ,c we ev5 admit !
 exi/5ce ( be+s simil> to ourselves80   
,no d\bt "o c\ld p]haps rem>k t ! mo/   
gift$ nations ( !  ,e>? d n "k h[ to    
conduct !mselves1 t _! intellig5ce is   
*iefly ex]cis$ 9 dev\r+ ea* o!r & 9 ru9+
 !mselves1  t !y mortgage ! future l    
bl9d fools1 t ?ieves are n  uncommon1   
nor ev5 murd]]s4 ,b ap>t f t we are     
obvi\sly v  sup]ior be+s1 & x is h>dly  
likely t on any ( ! myriads (  worlds   
:i* gravitate 9 ! imm5sity ( space      
nature %\ld h  giv5 bir? to intellig5ces
 ( our calibre4    ,:y !re=e %\ld we    

attempt an optical correspond5ce ) !    
planet ,m>s8 ,if x is inhabit$1 !       
inhabitants h n our p[]s1  & our tr\ble 
w\ld be ?r[n away4 ,ev5 %\ld !y see our 
signals1  !y w\ld nev] ?9k t !y 7 meant 
= !m4    ,also1 we %all nev] attempt x4 
99       99       99       99       99  
,b is x possible t ! inhabitants ( ,m>s 
h already comm5c$  & t x is we :o d n   
und]/&8    ,accord+ to geological       
computations1 ! m9imum age ( ! ,e>?  z a
 habitable sph]e s9ce ! =mation ( ! fir/
 dry l& is  #bj million ye>s3 #aj       
million #gjj ?\s& = ! primordial age1 #b
  million #cjj ?\s& ye>s = ! second>y   
age1 #dfj ?\s& ye>s  = ! t]ti>y age1 &  
#ajj ?\s& = ! quat]n>y age4 ,man has    
exi/$ on ,e>? s9ce ! end ( ! t]ti>y age1
 t is ov] #ajj  ?\s& ye>s4 ,a/ronomical 
in/rum5ts 7 only inv5t$ 9 #afji1  & ,m>s
 0 n obs]v$ nor recognis$ 9 its pr9cipal
 geographical  details until #aheh4     
,complete obs]vations ( ,m>tian         
geography only  date back to #ahfb4 ,!  
fir/ detail$ triangulation ( ! planet1 !

  fir/ map compris+ ! smalle/ objects   
visible 9 ! telescope  & measur$ by     
micromet] 0 only comm5c$ 9 #ahgg1       
cont9u$ 9  #ahgi1 & complet$ 9 #ahhb4 ,x
 is !re=e only a few ye>s s9ce  ,m>s    
ent]$ into ! sph]e ( our practical      
obs]vations4 ,i may  add t only v few ( 
! ,e>?'s inhabitants h se5 x 9  all its 
details1 "o ( ! =emo/ ( ^! be+ !        
a/ronom]  ,s*iap>elli1 ! ,director ( !  
,milan ,obs]vatory4    ,accord+ to ! mo/
 probable cosmogonic !ory1 ,m>s is old] 
?an  our planet by sev]al million ye>s &
 mu* m advanc$ along  its pa? ( de/9y   
?an ours4 ,! inhabitants ( ,m>s may h   
be5 signall+ to u = #ajj ?\s& ye>s4     
,nobody on our planet  w\ld h suspect$  
x4 ,x is only s9ce ! sev5te5? c5tury  t 
a/ronom]s may h ?\ght1 n ( discov]+ su* 
signals1  = _! in/rum5ts 7 n suffici5tly
 p[]ful1 b ( !  possibility ( "s day    
see+ a little m ( :at happ5s on t       
neighb\r+ _w4 ,9 fact x is only a few   
ye>s t we h _h any  hope ( di/+ui%+ ^!  
m9ute details1 n to speak ( expla9+  !m4

           99       99       99       99
       99    ,n[1 ?is is :at happ5$4 ,! 
map ( ! planet ,m>s 0 made )  inf9ite   
c>e by ! able a/ronom] ( ,milan4 ,"o    
sees on ?is *>t  9 sev]al regions c]ta9 
po9ts :]e ! obs]v] has f\nd !  pres5ce (
 lum9\s pat*es %9+ l sn[ illum9at$ by ! 
sun4  ,t ^! lum9\s pat*es are due to sn[
 is n likely1 because  "s are se5 ne> ! 
equator 9 ! tropics z well z at high]   
latitudes4 ,nor does x seem likely t !y 
are ! tops ( m\nta9s1  = !y are close to
 ! seas & arrang$ symmetrically to c]ta9
  /raight canals4 ,besides1 sev]al ( !m 
seem to trace out m]idians  & p>allels (
 latitude1 & on see+ !m "o involunt>ily 
?9ks  ( ,geodesic signals4 ,"o sees     
triangles1 squ>es1 & rectangles4    ,t  
^! lum9\s po9ts %\ld h be5 e/abli%$ by  
eng9e]s  or a/ronom]s on ,m>s is n my   
idea4 ,t ! #fj great rectil9e>  p>allel 
canals :i* we admire on t planet & :i*  
e/abli%  communication betwe5 ! ,m>tian 
seas %\ld be ! "w ( !  inhabitants ( ?is
 neighb\r+ planet w\ld be presumptu\s to

  imag9e4 ,t is n ! conclusion ,i w\ld  
arrive at4 ,nature is s  ri* 9 proc$ure1
 s v>i$ 9 its manife/ations1 s multiple 
& s  complex 9 its effects1 & (t5 s     
/range & orig9al 9 its play1  t we h no 
"r to limit its mode ( action4    ,b x  
is none ! less true t if ! inhabitants (
 ,m>s wi%$  to s5d u any signals1 t     
me?od ( proc$ure w\ld be "o ( !  simple/
 & x is 9 fact ! only "o :i* has be5    
devis$ among  ourselves4 ,!y c\ld n d   
bett] ?an ?us dispose lum9\s po9ts  at  
c]ta9 di/ances accord+ to geometrical   
figures4 ,= in/ance1  "o f9ds !         
int]section ( ! #bfg? m]idian ) ! #ad?  
degree  ( nor!rn latitude a region      
limit$ by po9ts situat$ at di/ances  f  
ea* o!r correspond+ to ,ami5s1 ,orleans1
 & ,le ,mans4 ,if !  inhabitants ( ,m>s 
wi%$ to s5d u signals !y c\ld n h  *os5 
bett] places = _! lum9\s /ations4    ,i 
am f> f say+ t ?is is s & t !re is any  
int5tion  9 ?is arrangem5t4 ,yet if x 7 
s1 x w\ld be we :o did n  und]/&4    ,& 
!re is no?+ surpris+ 9 ?is4 ,!          

inhabitants ( !  ,e>? take no int]e/ 9 !
 ,heav5s4 ,n9ety-n9e p] c5t1 ( !m  among
 ! #a1ejj million ,e>?-dwell]s d n "k   
:at !y walk  on & h no conception ( !   
reality4 ,!y are busy ) eat+1  dr9k+1 & 
reproduc+ !mselves1 ) amass+ v>i\s      
objects1  ) patriotically dev\r+ ea*    
o!r1 & ) dy+4 ,b z reg>ds  ask+ :]e !y  
are or :at is ! univ]se1 t is no conc]n 
(  !irs4 ,_! native ignorance suffices  
!m4 ,!y live 9 ! middle  ( ! ,heav5s )\t
 kn[+ x & )\t ! slighte/ enjoym5t  (    
intellectual happ9ess :i* "s select     
spirits f9d 9 !  recognition ( tru?4    
,! inhabitants ( ,m>s1 on ! o!r h&1 be+ 
m anci5t ?an  ourselves1 c be mu* m     
advanc$ 9 ! way ( progress & c  live an 
enlight5$ & intellectual spiritual life4
 ,we are safe 9  suppos+ t !y "k our _w 
mu* bett] ?an we "k !irs1 &  t our      
a/ronomical sci5ce is only *ild's place 
beside !irs4 ,if1  !re=e1 ! p ( ,m>s1   
liv+ p]haps = a long "t already  9 !    
h>mony ( a peaceful & intellig5t life1  
_h ?\ght (  attempt+ to s5d signals to !

 ,e>?1 ) ! idea t p]haps our  planet is 
also inhabit$ by an intellectual race1  
!n s9ce !y h  nev] receiv$ any answ] f u
 !y w h conclud$ t we are  n on _!      
level1 t we d n busy ourselves ) !      
matt]s (  ! sky1 t a/ronomy & optics are
 n v advanc$ among u1 &  t 9 all        
probability we h n yet em]g$ f clumsy   
mat]ial  in/9cts4 ,is _! conclusion v f>
 f ! tru?8    ,p]haps also ! ,m>tian    
academies decl>e ! ,e>? un9habitable &  
un9habit$3 7#a7 because x is n          
absolutely id5tical ) _!  planet1 7#b7  
because we h only "o ,moon :]eas !y h   
two1 7#c7  because our ye>s are too     
%ort1 7#d7 because our sky is v (t5     
ov]ca/1 :]eas !irs is almo/ always cle>1
 7#e & #f7 = a  ?\s& o!r reasons1 ea* z 
cog5t z ! re/4    ,z we h se5 above 9 ! 
*apt] on ,m>s1 "o (t5 notices besides  !
 lum9\s po9ts we h m5tion$ c]ta9 m      
ext5sive brilliant  projections :i*     
appe> on ! t]m9ator & :i* mu/ be caus$  
by  ! reflection ( ! ris+ or sett+ sun  
on sn[y peaks or on cl\ds  :i* are      

c]ta9ly n signals4 ,h[ev] ?is may be1 ( 
all ! bodies  :i* blaze 9 ! skies on a  
cle> night1 & p>ticul>ly ( all  ^?      
bodies :i* gravitate ) u r\nd ! ,sun1   
!re is "o :i*  engages ) a captivat+    
int]e/ ! att5tion ( a/ronom]s4 ,x is  ! 
s+ul> little _w ( ,m>s4 ,b x is n s easy
 to communicate  ) x z 0 suppos$ by t   
good lady ( ,pau1 ,madame ,guzman1 :o   
left a legacy to ! ,acadmie des ,sci5ces
 9 ! %ape ( a prize (  #ajj1jjj francs  
to be giv5 to ! fir/ p]son :o %\ld      
discov] a  means ( communicat+ betwe5 ! 
,e>? & ano!r _w--) !  exception ( !     
planet ,m>s1 because x w\ld be too easy6
 ,s true x  is t on our planet ! be/    
int5tions are (t5 mix$ up ) a few  gra9s
 ( folly4    ,aft] /eam1 ! electric     
light & ! telegraph & ! telephone1  !   
discov]y ( unmi/akable signs ( ! exi/5ce
 ( humanity  inhabit+ ano!r region ( our
 sol> ar*ipelago1 w\ld t n  be ! mo/    
m>vell\s apo!osis ( ! sci5tific glory ( 
!  tw5tie? c5tury8 ,& _c wireless       
telegraphy be "s day appli$  to ?is     

problem8 ,electro-magnetism is an imm5se
 invisible _w /ill  insuffici5tly       
explor$4 ,let u wait1 obs]ve1 & /udy4   
,,ix4 ,,/>s                             
,,& ,,atoms                             
,,*apt] ,,ix                            
,,/>s ,,& ,,atoms      ,,la/ night 9 !  
calm sil5ce ( midnight1 :ile all nature 
slept1 ,i  obs]v$ 9 ! telescope a small 
fix$ /> lo/ 9 ! multitude (  ! heav5ly  
ho/1 a pale /> ( ! sev5? magnitude      
sep>at$ f  u by an almo/ immeasurable   
di/ance4    ,9 my ?\ghts ,i travell$ up 
to x4 ,i rememb]$ t ?is /> is  n visible
 to ! nak$ eye2 t !re are #ai />s ( !   
fir/  magnitude1 #fj ( ! second1 #ahb ( 
! ?ird1 #ecj ( ! f\r?1 #a1fjj  ( ! fif?1
 & #d1hjj ( ! six? magnitude 7:i* gives 
a total  ( ab\t #g1jjj />s visible to ! 
nak$ eye 9 ! case ( p]sons  gift$ )     
acute vision72 bub t ! />s ( ! sev5?    
magnitude1  "o ( :i* ,i 0 obs]v+1 are   
#ac1jjj 9 numb]1 & ^? ( !  eigh?        
magnitude #dj1jjj2 t ! numb] gr[s       
progressively z we  asc5d beyond natural

 vision4 ,i rememb] t ! sum ( ! />s (  !
 fir/ t5 magnitudes am\nts to #efj1jjj1 
t ( ! fir/ twelve  magnitudes to #d     
million1 & t we rea* m ?an #dj millions 
9  tak+ ! fir/ fifte5 magnitudes4       
,)\t los+ myself 9 ! pr(undity ( inf9ite
 p]spectives1 ,i  conc5trat$ my ?\ght z 
,i _h already conc5trat$ my gaze ^u ?is 
simple sev5?-magnitude /> ( !           
con/ellation ( ! ,great ,be>1  :i* nev] 
desc5ds bel[ ! horizon ( ,p>is1 s t we c
 obs]ve  x almo/ any night 9 ! ye>1 & ,i
 rememb]$ t x %9es #bjj  billion miles f
 "h--a di/ance :i* an express tra9 ru%+ 
along at #ge miles an h\r w\ld take no  
less ?an #cbe million ye>s to  trav]se4 
99       99       99       99       99  
,transport$ to su* a di/ance1 ! glori\s 
sun :i* illum9ates  u w\ld lose its     
spl5d\r & its glory4 ,n only w\ld x be  
invisible to ! nak$ eye1 n only w\ld x  
fail to contribute to !  brightness ( ! 
midnight sky1 b x w\ld fall consid]ably 
bel[  ! /> ( ! sev5? magnitude above    
m5tion$ & w\ld only be  discov]able by !

 mo/ c>eful telescopic se>*4 ,t small   
/>1  !re=e1 :i* is only a small         
brilliant po9t 9 ! />ry heav5s1  is 9   
reality an imm5se sun ( giant size1     
greatly 9 excess ( t  on :i* our planet 
dep5ds = its light4 ,! latt] is already 
#ccc1jjj times heavi] ?an ! ,e>? &      
#a1cjj1jjj times m bulky4 ,9  claim+ = t
 small /> a weight m ?an a million times
 t  ( our globe & a volume equall+ t (  
sev]al million ,e>?s we  %\ld be well )9
 ! region ( possibility4           99   
99       99       99       99    ,^!    
views 9 connection ) a simple /> almo/  
=gott5 among !  multitude ( its si/]s   
br+ u face to face ) ! mo/ =midable     
realities ( ! con/itution ( ! univ]se4  
,b !y d n yet  repres5t ! mo/ int]e/+   
aspect ( our contemplation4 ,x is a     
s+ul> fact1 q unexpect$ by ! anci5t     
philosoph]s1 fanta/ic  & h>dly          
conceivable to ! seek] aft] tru? :o     
endeav\rs to  compreh5d its real value3 
,x is t ^! suns ( ! inf9ite1  f> f be+  
fix$ z !y seem to be on acc\nt ( _!     

imm5se  di/ance1 are travell+ ?r\gh     
space ) trem5d\s spe$4 ,! />  9 "q#b    
runs1 flies1 hurls itself across !      
imm5sity ) a  spe$ ( ab\t #bj million   
miles p] day6    ,!re are no fix$ />s4  
,yes1 #f1hjj million miles p] annum6 ,& 
yet1 9 t5 ye>s1 9 fifty  ye>s1 9 "o     
hundr$ ye>s1 ?is /> w be b>ely displac$ 
9 !  sky6 ,! spe$ ( a bullet or a %ell  
fir$ by "o ( our mo/ p[]ful  guns be+   
only #b1cdj feet p] second & t ( ?is /> 
be+ a  million feet p] second1 we see t 
! spe$ ( ! /> surpasses  t ( ! %ell 9 ! 
proportion ( #deg to #a6 ,c ! mo/ d>+   
imag9ation picture su* a flight6    ,9  
five days & "s h\rs ! /> w\ld cov] ! #ib
 million miles  :i* sep>ate u f ! ,sun1 
a di/ance :i* a gun%ot w\ld take  sev5  
ye>s to cov]4 ,x is cle> t su* a spe$ is
 m>vell\s1 yet  x exi/s1 & has be5      
measur$ by delicate & precise op]ations4
 ,x  _c 9 any case be less ?an ! figure 
we h indicat$4           99       99    
99       99       99    ,?is spe$ is a  
symbol1 & x is z su* t ,i wi% to pres5t 

x  "h4 ,all ! />s are end[$ ) su*       
movem5ts m or less rapid1  & n only all 
! />s--ea* ( !m a sun & mo/ ( !m !      
c5tres ( planet>y sy/ems1 disp5s]s (    
light1 heat1 & h>mony1  ar\nd :i*       
gravitate habitable e>?s1 ! pres5t1 pa/1
 or future  abodes ( v>i\s be+s &       
t]re/rial ?+s--n only1 ,i say1 are  all 
! />s ?us driv5 ?r\gh ! void1 b all !   
planets1 all  ! satellites1 all ! worlds
 & sy/ems1 all creation4    ,! ,e>? sw+s
 r\nd ! ,sun c>ri$ along ) a spe$ (     
#a1fjj1jjj  miles p] day1 mean:ile      
rotat+ on its axis1 animat$ by a doz5   
diff]5t sorts ( movem5ts1 light] & m    
mobile ?an a *ild's  balloon float+ 9 ! 
air1 solicit$ by ! attractions ( v>i\s  
neighb\r+ bodies1 a v]itable play?+ (   
cosmic =ces :i*  c>ry u along 9 an      
imm5se :irlpool4 ,! ,moon revolves r\nd 
!  ,e>?1 con/antly d]ang+ u 9 our       
progress & subject+ u to  p]petual      
undulations4 ,! ,sun c>ries u along )   
all its cortge  t[>ds ! con/ellation    
,h]cules1 s t s9ce its v orig9 our  ,e>?

 has nev] pass$ ?r\gh ! same place      
twice1 b describes 9  space1 n clos$    
ellipses1 b spirals :i* roll on )\t end4
 ,!  suns adjo9+ ours move ) _! sy/ems 9
 v>i\s directions4  ,! con/ellations are
 dislocat$ f "o c5tury to ano!r1 ea*  />
 be+ animat$ by a prop] movem5t :i*     
produces a con/ant  modification ( !    
figures 9 ! sky4 ,9 addition to all ?is1
 our  :ole sid]eal sy/em is c>ri$ along 
9 space by a jo9t movem5t4  ,& ?us      
ev]y?+ moves1 ev]y?+ circulates1 ev]y?+ 
ru%es1  ) brea?less spe$1 t[>ds a goal  
:i* is unkn[n & :i* is  nev] rea*$4     
,?is is n a romance1 a dream ( pure     
contemplation1 an outside view  (       
ourselves3 x is our own hi/ory1 fatal & 
inevitable4 ,s9ce an  h\r ago1 e "o ( u1
 read] or writ]1 ri* or poor1 wise or   
ignorant1 infant or greybe>d1 :e!r we   
are active or asleep--s9ce  an h\r ago e
 "o ( u has describ$ 9 ! sky an         
invisible track  ( m ?an #fj1jjj miles1 
= our planet traces out #ehj million    
miles  p] annum m]ely by its revolution 

r\nd ! ,sun1 & a c5t5>ian  lives to m>k 
out a di/ance ( #eh1jjj million miles4  
,n[1 x is f\nd  t ^! spe$s are ! v      
condition ( ! /ability ( !  univ]se3 !  
heav5ly bodies1 ! ,e>?1 planets1        
satellites1 suns1  /ell> sy/ems1 />     
clu/]s1 galaxies1 & remote univ]ses1 are
  mutually su/a9$ by ! equilibrium ( _! 
attractions4 ,!y are  all susp5d$ 9 !   
void & ma9ta9 !mselves 9 _! ideal orbits
  simply because !y turn quickly en\gh  
to create a c5trifugal =ce  equal &     
opposite to ! attraction ex]t$ ^u !m1 s 
t !y  rema9 9 an un/able b p]petual     
equilibrium4    ,our ,sun c>ries u along
 t[>ds ! con/ellation ( ,h]cules3  ?is  
has be5 kn[n = a hundr$ ye>s2 b we "k n[
 t !  con/ellation ( ,h]cules =ms "p (  
our sid]eal univ]se & t  t univ]se is   
travell+ 9 a c]ta9 direction4 ,we !re=e 
only  p]ceive relative movem5ts4 ,:i!r  
are we go+8 ,va9 "q4 ,we  are go+--into 
inf9ite space4    ,=m]ly p 7 tr\bl$1 n  
)\t reason1 conc]n+ !  solidity ( !     
f\ndations ( ! _w1 = be=e ! isolation  (

 our planet 9 space & its movem5t r\nd !
 ,sun _h be5  demon/rat$ x seem$        
indisp5sable to give to ! ,e>? an       
un%akable  f\ndation & an unlimit$ r\te4
 ,b s9ce ! heav5ly bodies rise  & set & 
pass "u our feet ?is f\ndation _h to be 
giv5 up1  ap>t f ! fact t x did n       
satisfy ! mo/ f>-see+ m9ds4  ,x is q    
impossible = u to conceive a mat]ial    
pile1 h[ev]  solid or ?ick1 ev5 z ?ick z
 ! ,e>?'s diamet] & root$ 9  inf9ite    
space1 j z "o _c imag9e ! real exi/5ce (
 a  /ick :i* has only "o end4 ,h[ev] f> 
! m9d c desc5d t[>ds  ! base ( t mat]ial
 pill>1 ! end mu/ come at la/1 s9ce     
only empty space c be )\t end1 & !n t   
t]re/rial pill>  s]ves no purpose at all
 s9ce x is itself )\t a support4        
,besides1  travell]s succe$$ "o day 9   
voyag+ all r\nd ! globe1 &  n[h]e 0 ?is 
imag9>y pill> discov]$4    ,! mod]n     
conception ( =ce 9 contra/ ) ! anci5t   
idea (  matt] has a philosophical import
 )\t prec$5t 9 ! :ole  hi/ory ( !       
sci5ce4 ,x tea*es1 proves to u1 &       

conv9ces u t  ! visible1 palpable1      
mat]ial univ]se re/s on ! invisible & ! 
immat]ial1 on impond]able =ce4    ,t is 
a fact aga9/ :i* ! mislead+ te/imony ( !
 s5ses  c no long] prevail4 ,! ,e>?1 :i*
 0 believ$ to be ! /able  basis (       
creation1 is itself n su/a9$ by any?+   
mat]ial1 b by  invisible =ce4 ,! void   
ext5ds above & bel[1 "r & left1 &  to   
inf9ity 9 e direction4 ,x is su/a9$ by  
sol> attraction &  by its own movem5t4  
,! same applies to all worlds1 to all   
heav5ly  bodies1 to ev]y?+ :i* composes 
! univ]se1 to ! intimate  con/itution ( 
bodies z well z ! sid]eal total4 ,!     
,e>?1 !  planets1 ! suns1 ! />s1 ! /ell>
 sy/ems1 are ! mobile atoms  ( ! gr&    
organism ( ! univ]se4 ,! ,milky ,way is 
a du/ 9 :i*  e gra9 is a sun4           
99       99       99       99       99  
,f ! inf9itely great1 let u n[ desc5d to
 ! inf9itely small    ,! sub/ances :i*  
appe> to u mo/ solid & h>d are compos$ (
  molecules :i* d n t\* ea* o!r4 ,e "o (
 ^! molecules  is invisible to ! nak$   

eye & is itself made up ( /ill small]   
atoms :i* d n t\* ei!r4    ,a b> ( iron1
 = example1 is compos$ ( molecules :i* d
 n  t\*1 :i* are 9 p]petual vibration1  
:i* sep>ate "u !  influ5ce ( heat &     
close up "u ! influ5ce ( cold4 ,expos$  
to ! ,sun1 ! temp]ature ( t b> rea*es   
ab\t #fj degrees  c5tigrade2 cool$ by ! 
ice ( w9t]1 x desc5ds a few degrees     
bel[ z]o4 ,n[1 ! l5g? ( t b> v>ies      
betwe5 ! fir/  condition & ! second1 &  
its molecules c be fur!r sep>at$ by     
heat+ !m to a high] temp]ature3 !y c ?us
 be s f> sep>at$  f ea* o!r t !y ex]cise
 no fur!r mutual attraction4 ,:5  t     
happ5s1 ! b> melts & =ms fir/ a liquid &
 !n a gas4           99       99        
99       99       99    ,! ,eiffel ,t[] 
is a little high] 9 summ] ?an 9 w9t] & 9
 !  aft]noon ?an ! morn+1 on acc\nt ( ! 
v>iation produc$ by  sol> heat4 ,!      
diff]5ce 9 height c atta9 #f in*es4     
99       99       99       99       99  
,! smallness ( molecules surpasses any?+
 "o c imag9e4 ,9  ! gold-beat+ indu/ry  

gold-leaf has be5 obta9$ s ?9 t a  qu>t]
 ( a million leaves g to ! in*4 ,ea*    
gold-leaf1 !re=e1  has only a ?ickness (
 a #a_/aj1jjj ( a millimetre4 ,n[1 x is 
compos$  ( molecules a consid]able numb]
 ( :i* is requir$ to fill up t          
?ickness4 ,two hundr$ ( !m arrang$ 9 a  
l9e & sep>at$ by  int]vals equal to _!  
own diamet]s w\ld j fill up ! ?ickness  
( a gold-leaf4    ,9 exp]im5ts made on !
 action ( oil ^u ! surface ( wat] =     
calm+ ! waves1 x has be5 f\nd possible  
to cov] #djj squ>e y>ds  on ! ,lake (   
,g5eva ) #bj c4cm4 ( oil1 :i* r$uces !  
lay]  ( oil also to #a_/bjj1jjj ( a     
millimetre4 ,suppos+ t "u ^!  conditions
 ! molecules ( oil are 9 contact & 9 a  
s+le lay]1  !y w\ld at ! mo/ h t        
diamet]4    ,by me*anical means a       
millimetre has be5 divid$ on a plate (  
glass into a ?\s& equal p>ts4 ,!re are  
animalcul s small  t _! :ole body plac$ 
betwe5 two ( ^! divisions does n  t\*   
!m4 ,^! liv+ be+s !n measure at ! mo/   
#a_/a1jjj ( a  millimetre1 or :at is    

n[adays call$ a micron4 ,!y h memb]s1   
organs1 muscles1 n]ves1 etc4 ,^! organs 
are compos$ ( cells &  ! cells (        
molecules4 ,if ! latt] 7 only a hundr$? 
"p (  ! dim5sions ( ! body 7!y are      
probably mu* small]71 ^!  molecules w\ld
 measure1 if sep>at$ by int]vals equal  
to _! own  size1 #a_/bjj1jjj ( a        
millimetre z be=e4    ,molecules or     
atoms1 :atev] may be ! "n appli$ to !   
ultimate  p>ticles ( matt]1 are decl>$  
by pres5t-day sci5ce to be equal to     
/ell> sy/ems or microcosms4           99
       99       99       99       99    
,?is mod]n tea*+ ( microscopy 0         
anticipat$ = a long "t by  ?9k]s4    ,9 
8 ,comm]cium ,philosophicum1 publi%$ 9  
#agde1 ,b]n\lli  wrote to ,leibnitz     
conc]n+ ! imag9>y inhabitants ( a gra9 (
  pepp]4    8,if ^! animalcul _h an     
intellig5t m9d & 7 capable (  reason+1  
!y c\ld flatt] !mselves t !y & ! drop ( 
liquid :i* !y inhabit con/itut$ ! entire
 univ]se4 ,imag9e t  a small gra9 (     
pepp] 9 :i* "u ! p[] ( ! microscope  we 

discov] a million animalcul _h all its  
p>ts proportional to  ! correspond+ p>ts
 ( our _w1 t is to say1 its sun1 its    
fix$ />s1 its planets ) _! satellites1  
its e>?1 & its  m\nta9s1 its fields1 its
 =e/s1 its rocks1 its riv]s1 its lakes1 
its seas1 & its div]se animals1 c "o    
suppose t ! inhabitants  ( ! gra9 (     
pepp]1 ^! pip]icols1 :o w\ld p]ceive    
all objects "u ! same visual angle &    
consequ5tly 9 ! same  size z we d1 w\ld 
n believe t outside _! gra9 no?+  exi/s1
 & w\ld h ! same "r to believe x z we   
believe t  our _w includes ev]y?+8 ,=1  
,i ask y1 :at reason or :at  exp]i5ce   
w\ld !y h :i* w\ld conv9ce !m ( !       
contr>y  or w\ld %[ to ^! poor little   
animals t !re is ano!r _w  incomp>ably  
great] ?an _! own ) inhabitants         
incomp>ably  great] ?an !mselves80      
,!re=e1 concludes ,b]n\lli1 if ^!       
pip]icols _c "k  t1 :o is !re among u :o
 kn[s t ?is :ole visible _w  is n p]haps
 a gra9 9 comp>ison ) ano!r _w          
incomp>ably  great]8    ,! le>n$        

geometrician ( ,basle summ>ises 8 idea z
 foll[s3 8,i  believe t !re c exi/ 9    
nature o!r animals :o are 9 size  z f>  
above u & ord9>y animals z we & our     
animals are above  microscopic          
animalcul1 & :o obs]ve u 9 our _w ) _!  
microscopes z we obs]ve t inf9ite       
multitude ( animalcul )  ours4 ,i g     
fur!r & ma9ta9 t !re might be be+s      
incomp>ably  l>g] aga91 & ,i suppose z  
_m degrees upw>d z are f\nd 9  go+      
d[nw>ds1 = ,i d n see :y we %\ld        
con/itute ! highe/  degree40            
,leibnitz repli$ to ,b]n\lli3 8,i am n  
afraid ( advanc+ !  op9ion t !re are 9 !
 univ]se animals t are z mu* our        
sup]iors 9 size z we are above !        
animalcul :i* we only  discov] by means 
( a microscope1 = nature kn[s no limits4
 ,on !  o!r h&1 x may be & x mu/ be t   
!re are 9 ! small gra9s  ( du/ & 9 !    
smalle/ atoms worlds :i* are n inf]ior  
to ours  9 beauty & v>iety40    ,!      
exce$+ly small microscopic organisms    
discov]$ & /udi$ by  ,ehr5b]g at !      

beg9n+ ( ! n9ete5? c5tury seem$ to place
  ?is population 9 evid5ce4    ,pascal  
_h writt51 z e>ly z #affj1 or p]haps ev5
 9 #afed1 9 8  ,p5ses3    8,:at is man 9
 ! inf9ite8 ,let a fle%-worm (f] him 9 !
  smallness ( its body p>ts :i* are yet 
small]4 ,legs ) jo9ts1  ve9s 9 ^? legs1 
blood 9 ^? ve9s1 hum\rs 9 t blood1 drops
  9 ^? hum\rs1 vap\rs 9 ^? drops4       
,suppose t 9 divid+  up ^! la/ ?+s he   
%\ld sp5d 8 =ces ( imag9ation &  t ! la/
 object at :i* he c\ld arrive be !      
subject ( our  pres5t discussion4 ,he w 
p]haps ?9k t t is ! extreme (  smallness
 9 ,nature4 ,b ,i %all op5 = him a new  
abyss4 ,i %all n  only pa9t = him !     
visible univ]se b ! imm5sity ( nature   
:i* "o c conceive )9 ! range ( ?is small
 atom4 ,let him  see 9 x an inf9ity (   
worlds1 e "o ) its firmam5t1 its        
planets1 its e>?s1 9 ! same proportion z
 ! visible _w1 on  t e>? animals &      
f9ally fle%-worms 9 :i* he w f9d aga9   
:at ! fir/ fle%-worms pres5t$ to him4   
,let him g on f9d+ !  same ?+ )\t end & 

)\t re/4 ,let him lose himself 9 ^?     
m>vels z a/oni%+ 9 _! smallness z ! o!rs
 are 9 _!  size1 = :o w\ld n be a/oni%$ 
t our body1 h>dly p]ceptible  9 !       
univ]se :i* itself w\ld be imp]ceptible 
9 ! gr&  totality1 %\ld n[ be a         
colossus1 a _w or r a univ]se 9         
comp>ison ) ! no?+ness :i* we c nev]    
arrive at4    8,:oev] foll[s ^! ?\ghts w
 be afraid ( himself &1  consid]+       
himself su/a9$ by ! weight :i* nature   
has giv5 him1  betwe5 ^? two abysses ( !
 inf9ite & no?+1 he w tremble  9 face ( 
^? m>vels1 & ,i believe t z 8 curiosity 
*anges  to admiration1 he w be m dispos$
 to contemplate !m 9 sil5ce  ?an to seek
 !m ) presumption4    8,= inde$ :at is  
man 9 nature8 ,a no?+ 9 comp>ison ) !   
inf9ite1 a univ]se 9 comp>ison ) no?+1 a
 mean betwe5 no?+  & all4 ,inf9itely    
remov$ z he is f compreh5d+ ! extremes1 
! goal & pr9ciple ( ?+s are inv9cibly   
conceal$ f him  9 an imp5etrable secret2
 he is equally incapable ( see+ t       
no?+ness :5ce he sprang or t inf9ite :i*

 swall[s him up40    ,m ?an "o ( our    
contempor>y savants has republi%$ ?is   
conception ( 8! atom z a _w sy/em10     
imag9+ t x is new  & )\t appe>+ to      
recollect ei!r ,b]n\lli or ,pascal4     
99       99       99       99       99  
,z we h se5 be=e1 ! invisible _w is !   
basis ( creation  & ! visible univ]se is
 compos$ ( invisible bodies4 ,:at we see
  is made up ( ?+s :i* we d n see4    ,9
 ! sky e /> ( ! ,milky ,way be+ bel[ !  
sev5?  magnitude is q invisible to our  
eye4 ,yet we see ! ,milky ,way4    ,on !
 ,e>? we see & t\* cr[ds ( molecules e  
p>ticle (  :i* c\ld be nei!r se5 ) our  
eyes nor felt ) our t\*  nor p]ceiv$ )  
any ( our s5ses4 ,& yet "o meets v (t5  
s-call$ sci5tific m5 9 ! _w :o say      
p]emptorily3 8,i only  believe :at ,i   
see40    ,a l>ge numb] ( diff]5t        
measurem5ts ( ! spe$ ( light agree 9    
prov+ t ?is spe$ is #ahf1jjj miles a    
second4 ,t is a fact (  obs]vation      
absolutely prov$ by a/ronomy & by       
physics4    ,^! #ahf1jjj miles am\nt to 

#ihb million feet or #aa1ghe million    
in*es4    ,n[1 c]ta9 measurem5ts ( !    
same degree ( precision %[ t 9  a ray ( 
r$ light !re are #db1cjj waves to ! in* 
or #a1fff to !  millimetre4    ,ea* ( ^!
 waves !re=e measures #f_/aj1jjj ( a    
millimetre4 ,^?  ( ! extreme r$ measure 
#g_/aj1jjj2 beyond ! r$1 wave-l5g?s (   
#h or #i_/aj1jjj are f\nd2 ! blue waves 
measure #d to #e_/aj1jjj & !  violet    
#d_/aj1jjj4    ,express$ 9 million?s ( a
 millimetre1 z is usual 9 spectroscopy1 
^! wave-l5g?s are ! foll[+3--           
,,wave-,,l5g?s ,,( ,,light              
,infra-r$               #ijj or m       
,extreme-r$ 7,a7         #gfj           
,r$ 7,b7                 #fhg           
,orange 7,c7              #fff          
,yell[ 7,d7              #fhi           
,gre5 7,e7               #fag           
,blue 7,f7                #dhf          
,indigo 7,q7              #dca          
,violet 7,h7              #hig          
,ultra violet            #chj & less    
7,^! figures are ^? ( ! sol> spectrum1  

measur$ = ! fir/  "t by ,frau5h(] a     
c5tury ago47    ,^? are waves 9 ! e!r1  
:i* is 9 p]petual movem5t4    ,if we    
multiply #cjj1jjj million millimetres by
 #a1fff1 we f9d ! numb]  #ejj billion4  
,t is ! numb] ( waves :i* ent] our eye 9
 "o  second :5 we look at r$ light4     
,x requires #b1bcj waves ( violet light 
to fill up a millimetre & #gjj  billion 
%ocks p] second to give ! s5sation ( t  
col\r4    ,betwe5 ! r$ & ! violet all ! 
o!r col\rs range !mselves4  ,!          
vibrations :i* give ! impression ( r$   
are ! sl[e/ &  _! waves are ! longe/4   
,?is subtle sub/ance1 e!r1 p5etrates all
 ! bodies2 x surr\nds  ! mo/ m9ute atoms
 ( objects & be+s1 solids & liquids4    
,/udies 9 molecul> physics h l$ to ?is  
conclusion1 t 9 a  cubic c5timetre ( air
 ! molecules :i* compose x only occupy a
  ?ird ( a cubic millimetre1 t is to    
say1 ! #c_/a1jjj "p ( !  total volume4  
,x is l a ca!dral 9 :i* *ildr5's        
balloons might  float1 ! rema9+ space   
be+ empty4    ,all ^! molecules1 all ^! 

sy/ems ( atoms1 are 9 p]petual  motion l
 ! worlds 9 space1 & ! /ructure ( bodies
 is  organis$ by invisible =ce4 ,9      
hydrog51 at ord9>y temp]ature  &        
pressure1 e molecule is end[$ ) a spe$ (
 translation1  vibration1 & circulation1
 ( m ?an a mile p] second4    ,e body1  
organic or inorganic1 air1 wat]1 plant1 
animal1 man1 is  ?us =m$ ( molecules 9  
movem5t4    ,! analysis ( bodies1 bo?   
organic & inorganic1 !re=e br+s  u into 
! pres5ce ( movem5ts ( atoms controll$  
by =ces1 &  ! inf9itely small speaks to 
u ! same language z ! inf9itely  great4 
,! p[]ful microscopes ( to-day &        
in/rum5ts ( projection %[  9 ^!         
microbian movem5ts 9 ^! cells a fanta/ic
 life su* z  t ( organisms :i* circulate
 by ! ?\s& million 9 our own  blood4    
,! molecule1 intangible & invisible1 &  
h>dly imag9able by our  m9ds accu/om$ to
 sup]ficial judgm5ts1 con/itutes ! only 
true  matt]1 & :at we call matt] is1    
s+ul>ly en\gh1 ! effect  produc$ ^u our 
s5ses by ! movem5ts ( molecules1        

con/itut+ z  x 7 an incessant           
possibility ( s5sation4    ,x foll[s t  
matt]1 l ! manife/ations ( en]gy1 is    
only a  mode ( motion4 ,at ! temp]ature 
( absolute z]o1 matt]1 z we "k  x1 w\ld 
cease to exi/4           99       99    
99       99       99    ,! "n (         
mat]iali/1 /ill borne to-day by c]ta9 p 
:o see  no f>!r ?an ! ord9>y appe>ances 
( ?+s1 c\ld only be  consid]$ by ! ?9k] 
z an outworn expression )\t mean+4 ,!   
visible univ]se is n at all :at x appe>s
 to be to our s5ses3 x  is ! invisible  
univ]se :i* con/itutes ! ess5ce & basis 
(  creation4 ,9 fact1 ?is visible       
univ]se is compos$ ( invisible atoms    
:i* are n 9 contact2 x hangs 9 ! void1 &
 ! =ces :i*  control x are !mselves     
invisible & immat]ial4 ,y may look =    
matt]1 b y w n f9d x2 x is a mirage :i* 
rec$es z we  advance t[>ds x2 x is a    
spectre :i* disappe>s :5ev] we seem  to 
seize x4 ,x is n ! same ) =ce1 ! dynamic
 elem5t2 x is  invisible & impond]able  
=ce t we f9d 9 ! la/ analysis &  :i*    

repres5ts ! basis1 ! support1 & ! v     
ess5ce ( !  univ]se4    ,9 ! deep &     
sil5t night ev]y?+ moves driv5 by !     
brea? (  ,god4 ,9 ^! h\rs ( calm        
reflection1 d we n he> ! voices (  !    
inf9ite8 ,night is ! normal condition ( 
empty space1 & we  only h day dur+ a    
half-rotation ( ! ,e>? because we dwell 
9  ! imm$iate neighb\rhood ( a />4      
,night fills all2 b x is n  d>kness2 x  
is ! s(t light %$ by millions ( />s4 ,we
 c ?us  bett] appreciate h[ ev]y?+ is 9 
vibration4 ,! movem5ts (  e atom on e>? 
& 9 ! heav5s are ! ma!matical result (  
all ! e!real undulations :i* arrive 9 "t
 f ! abysses (  inf9ite space4 ,! moon  
attracts ! ,e>?1 ! ,e>? attracts h]     
si/]-planets1 ^! beckon & call h]1 ! />s
 attract ! ,sun2  &1 l ^? motes ( du/   
:i* "o sees oscillat+ & vibrat+  9 a    
beam ( light1 s also glide1 turn1       
circulate1 fly1 vibrate1 &  palpitate   
all ! worlds & all ! univ]ses1 out to   
inf9ity1 amid/  limitless & bottomless  
space4    ,a geometrician has d>$ to say

 t by /ret*+ out 8 h& he  c\ld di/urb ! 
,moon 9 its c\rse4 ,?is is a vivid      
expression (  ! extreme mobility ( ?+s  
int5d$ to %[ t ! feeble/  displacem5t ( 
! c5tre ( gravity has a f>-rea*+ effect4
 ,:5  ! ,moon passes ov] our heads x    
raises ! :ole ,e>?1 displaces !  wat]s (
 ! ocean1 & makes e "o ( u weigh #ah    
milligrammes  less ?an :5 x is on !     
horizon4 ,:5 ,v5us passes at #be million
  miles f "h or :5 ,jupit] passes at    
#cge million miles1 bo?  displace our   
:ole planet f its normal position4    ,h
 y ev] br\ght a bit ( iron ne> a freely 
susp5d$ magnetic  ne$le8 ,:at a m>vell\s
 spectacle is (f]$ by ! mobility1 !     
oscillations1 ! mad ru%es ( ! ne$le "u !
 influ5ce ( an  object app>5tly in]t :i*
 acts ^u x at a di/ance4 ,we obs]ve  a  
compass ne$le at ! bottom ( an          
h]metically seal$ vessel3 a  regim5t    
passes on a neighb\r+ road & ! ne$le    
becomes agitat$1  influ5c$ at a di/ance 
by ! /eel bayonets4 ,an aurora borealis 
appe>s 9 ,sw$51 ! compass feels x 9     

,p>is2 nay1 we h se5  above t !         
fluctuations ( ! magnetic ne$le are 9   
relation )  ! spots & eruptions on !    
,sun4 ,! new physics is ! proclamation  
( ! invisible univ]se4           99     
99       99       99       99    ,x is  
"u ?is aspect :i* x appe>$ to me int]e/+
 "h to  contemplate ! visible univ]se1  
invit+ to ?is contemplation ^?  among my
 read]s :o wi% sometimes to ?9k (       
pr(\nd] tru?s4  ,/>s & atoms br+ u face 
to face ) an imm5se symphony4 ,^?  :o   
only see ! or*e/ra )\t he>+ any?+ are ! 
deaf4  ,beh9d ! visible _w1 our m9ds mu/
 feel ! pres5ce ( !  invisible _w ^u :i*
 we are bas$4 ,all t we see is          
appe>ance3  ! real is ! invisible1 !    
=ce1 ! en]gy1 :i* moves all &  c>ries   
all ?r\gh inf9ity & et]nity4    ,& inde$
 we are really 9 ! inf9ite & ! et]nal4  
,! little  /> ( :i* we spoke be=e1 an   
enorm\s sun a million times ! size  ( ! 
,e>? moves at su* a di/ance t ! fa/e/   
express tra9  w\ld take at lea/ #cbe    
million ye>s to rea* x4 ,yet x is "o (  

our  neighb\r+ />s4 ,"o c g /ill f>!r & 
f>!r & proce$  ) any spe$ ?r\gh any     
numb] ( c5turies 9 any direction (      
space )\t ev] com+ to an end1 )\t ev]   
advanc+ a s+le  pace1 s9ce ! c5tre is   
ev]y:]e1 ! circumf]5ce is n[h]e1 &      
et]nity itself does n suffice to vanqui%
 inf9ity4      ,footnote #b3 ,?is /> is 
call$ 8,no4 #ahcj ,groombridge40        
,x4 ,,are ,,o!r ,,planets               
,,inhabit$8                             
,,*apt] ,x                         ,,are
 ,,o!r ,,planets ,,inhabit$8      ,,we h
 a t5d5cy to rema9 geometric &          
an?ropoc5tric & to  believe t ev]y?+ is 
creat$ on ! t]re/rial model4 ,n long    
ago1 at "o ( ! sci5tific soires ( !     
,sol> ,fe/ival :i* ,i  f\nd$ 9 #aijd1 & 
:i* is almo/ always illu/rat$ by a      
conf]5ce  ( le>n$ m5 ( philosophical    
atta9m5ts1 ,i reque/$ my em95t  fri5d   
,edmond ,p]ri]1 ,memb] ( ! ,in/itut &   
,director ( ! ,p>is  ,museum1 to discuss
 ! "q ( ! population ( ! planets 9  !   
light ( ! late/ a*ievem5ts ( sci5ce1 9  

:i* he is pa/  ma/]4 ,8 reason+ 01 t !  
same matt]1 ! same =ces1 !  same laws1  
exi/ on ! ,e>?1 ,v5us1 ,m>s1 ,jupit]1   
etc41 & t  !re=e ! evolution ( life is  
ev]y:]e ! same1 arre/$ 9  "o place &    
develop$ 9 ano!r accord+ to ! conditions
 &  circum/ances1 & t all organisms on  
all ! planets c only h  t]re/rial =ms4  
,our palontology w\ld be repeat$        
ev]y:]e4    ,x seems to me t ?is idea1  
%>$1 by ! way1 by o!r le>n$  naturali/s1
 is really too 8naturali/10 too         
t]re/rial1 too  classical1 too          
pr(essional1 too n>r[1 too little 9     
h>mony )  ! gr&eur ( ! univ]se1 ) !     
imm5sity ( its en]gy &  ! v>iety ( vital
 manife/ations f\nd on our small planet4
 ,on  ! contr>y1 ! div]sity ( be+s1     
already s prodigi\s on our  little      
globe1 mu/ be1 s to speak1 inf9ite1 & ! 
extra-t]re/rial  liv+ =ms _c be ca/ 9 ! 
same m\ld4 ,!re is no reason1 =         
in/ance1 :y all ! be+s ( ! univ]se %\ld 
be limit$ to our  five s5ses4 ,!re are  
inevitable diff]5ces3 gravitation1      

d5sity1  food-supply1 atmosph]e1        
temp]ature1 light1 ! ye>s1 seasons &    
days1 etc41 etc4--causes s diff]5t _c   
fail to produce absolutely  diff]5t     
effects4    ,a savant is a man accu/om$ 
to discussions & delight$ to provoke    
!m1 because he kn[s t !y contribute to !
 advancem5t (  sci5ce2 ! naturali/s ^:  
views ,i dispute w n be> me any  ill-w1 
& ?is is n ! fir/ "t t !y w p>don me =  
be+ a recalcitrant microbe4    ,!       
philosoph]s :o tea* t ! univ]se is bo?  
inf9ite &  homog5e\s resemble microbes  
:o ?9k t _! cell is !  univ]se4 ,let u  
imag9e ! microbes 9 a p>ticle ( ru/     
attempt+  to reason on ! life ( iron    
accord+ to _! own obs]vations4 ,=  !m1 !
 _w is a bit ( iron attack$ by oxyg54   
,!re is no?+  else 9 nature4 ,all _!    
sci5ce leads !m to conclude t !  univ]se
 is made ( iron4 ,if !y c\ld h any vague
 notion ab\t  ! exi/5ce ( grass1        
insects1 m51 ! sun1 ,jupit] or ,sirius1 
!y  w\ld be firmly conv9c$ t !y 7 all   
made ( iron4 ,if1 9  _! p>ticle ( ru/1  

!y _h obs]v$ ! movem5ts ( translation  &
 rotation 9 ! con/itu5t atoms ( iron &  
c\ld h ris5  to a/ronomical notions     
beyond _! sph]e1 !y w\ld conclude  t !  
o!r planet>y sy/ems are also made ( iron
 & t none  b iron-dwell]s c exi/4 ,if we
 suppose t n only our own  sol> sy/em b 
our visible univ]se & ! o!r univ]ses :i*
  succe$ ea* o!r )\t end 9 ! dep?s (    
inf9ite space are all  con/ruct$ on !   
same zoological plan1 we reason l ^!    
microbes4    ,s9ce ! publication1 a long
 "t ago 7#ahfb71 ( my fir/ "w1  entitl$ 
,! ,plurality ( ,inhabit$ ,worlds1 9 :i*
 ,i exp\nd$  & discuss$ ! conditions (  
habitability ( ! planets ( our  sy/em z 
kn[n1 to sci5ce at ! "t ( publication1  
sev]al  a/ronom]s & philosoph]s h tak5  
up ! same "q ( !  diff]5t aspects4      
,among ^! /udies !re is "o :i* seems    
p>ticul>ly wor?y ( att5tion1 rec5tly    
writt5 by ,pr(essor  ,s*e9]1 ,director (
 ! ,potsdam ,obs]vatory4 ,i "h (f] my   
read]s  a cond5s$ translation1 ask+ !m  
to excuse ! ,g]manisms :i*  r5d] ! /yle 

a little r\gh4 ,b h[ev] bitt] ! r9d1 !  
fruit is good4                          
,,g5]al ,,rem>ks      8,! aspect ( !    
/>ry heav5s dur+ a cle> & calm night    
gives  a joy :i* only sup]ior s\ls c    
feel4 ,9 ! bosom ( ! g5]al  sil5ce (    
nature & 9 ! calm ( all our s5ses our   
immortal s\l  :isp]s an undef9able      
language & =ms conceptions :i* are      
difficult to express4 ,if among ! ?9k+  
be+s ( our planet !re  are vulg> spirits
 :i* rema9 slaves to vanity1 ?is globe  
is to  be piti$ = hav+ giv5 bir? to su* 
creatures1 b its value is  enhanc$ by   
be>+ on its surface intellig5ces capable
 ( ris+ to  ! highe/ contemplations ( ! 
spectacle ( nature40    ,x is ) ^! words
 t ,kant 9 8 ,natural ,hi/ory (  !      
,heav5s t]m9ates ! la/ *apt]1 :i* treats
 ( !  habitability ( ! planets4 ,!y come
 f ! s\l ( e ?9k+  man :o has pres]v$ ! 
sp>k ( ! ideal4 ,! aspect ( ! />ry  sky 
awak5s all ^? :o are n among ^! vulg>   
spirits ! same  s5sations :i* manife/   
!mselves 9 v>i\s ways accord+ to !      

education ( him :o exp]i5ces !m &       
accord+ to 8 mom5t>y  disposition4 ,!   
a/ronom] also is delight$ by ?is        
spectacle 9  spite ( 8 regul> obs]vation
 ( ! sky4 ,! a/ronom] sees  f>!r & cle>]
 into ! cele/ial spaces ?an ! ord9>y    
man1  8 k leads him by rapid d$uctions  
to va/ consid]ations  until he sudd5ly  
rea*es a po9t :]e1 = ! "t be+ at all    
ev5ts1 an insup]able b>ri] pres5ts      
itself to ! human _s1 &  :]e an imp]i\s 
halt rem9ds him ( ! tru? t all sci5ce is
  incomplete4 ,! ord9>y man looks ^u !  
sky 9 q a diff]5t  way1 & s does a      
woman4 ,to bo?1 ! spectacle ( ! />ry sky
  (f]s an enjoym5t indep5d5t ( all      
rese>* & all preoccupation4  ,a purely  
/hetic pleasure4    ,are ^! />s         
inhabit$8 ,are !y inhabit$ by ?9k+ be+s8
 ,d  love & hate reign !re z !y d "h8   
,su* are ! que/ions  :i* occur at once4 
,aft]w>ds1 9 h\rs :5 ! ne$ = hope &     
consolation is felt1 ! desire arises to 
contemplate "s day ) our  own eyes !    
spl5d\rs ( ^? o!r worlds & to be able to

 so>  up to !m4 ,! mo/ brilliant />s are
 ! special objects ( su*  wi%es1 & if !y
 c\ld be fulfill$ a population ( lov+   
s\ls  w\ld reside on ^! same />s3       
,sirius1 ,vega1 ,v5us1 & ,jupit]4    ,! 
"q ( ! population ( ! cele/ial bodies is
 z anci5t  z ! discov]y ( ! individual  
exi/5ce4 ,x has always occupi$  ?9k+    
humanity1 & _m h s\ght to raise ! veil  
:i*  hides ! answ]4 ,we1 also1 %\ld l to
 take a /ep t[>ds ?is  solution1 & x is 
) t object t we propose to quote "h  !  
actual facts be>+ ^u ! conditions (     
habitability ( !  cele/ial bodies & to  
draw ! mo/ probable conclusions4 ,we c  
comb9e ! a/ronomical data ) ! mo/ rec5t 
use ( physics1 &1  ?anks to ! progress  
record$ by ^! two sci5ces 9 ! la/ t5    
ye>s1 we may be able to draw "s new     
conclusions4    7,"h ! au?or passes 9   
review ! old] writ]s1 ,huyg5s1 ,kir*]1  
& ,font5elle1 :i* ,i h summ>is$ 9 my two
 books call$ ,!  ,plurality ( ,inhabit$ 
,worlds & ,imag9>y ,worlds4 ,he arrives 
ev5tually at ! n9ete5? c5tury & at      

,grui?uis51 :om my  read]s "k less47    
,,hi/orical      ,huyg5s1 ! mo/         
celebrat$ ma!matician & physici/ ( 8    
epo*  7#afbi-ie71 takes x = grant$ t all
 ! planets are inhabit$ 7he  does n     
speak ( ! ,sun or />s71 & t consequ5tly 
all ( !m  (f] ! conditions vital &      
ess5tial to u1 t is to say air &  wat]4 
,he easily refutes ! objections bas$ ^u 
! di/ance ( !  planets f ! ,sun4 ,he    
supposes t ! wat] on ! o!r planets  w h 
q o!r qualities ?an ours2 on ,m]cury1 = 
in/ance1  x w\ld only boil at a v high  
temp]ature1 & on ,saturn--at 8  "t !    
out]mo/ planet kn[n--x w\ld n freeze at 
! l[e/  temp]ature !n conceivable4 ,!   
mass ( ,jupit] comp>$ ) t  ( our own    
globe w\ld sugge/ t its air mu/ be v    
d5se &  t its inhabitants c\ld swim 9 x2
 b ! ,jovians w\ld easily  accommodate  
!mselves to ?is /ate ( ?+s4 ,he suppos$ 
t !  m9d ( ! inhabitants ( ! o!r planets
 0 ab\t ! same z  ours & t _! organism 0
 analog\s to our own2 = :at w\ld  be !  
object ( ! ,sun illum9at+ ^? o!r planets

 if _!  inhabitants _h no eyes8 ,"o     
might inde$ ?9k t diff]5t species  (    
reasonable be+s might exi/1 b n on !    
same planet1 = !y  w\ld be 9 mutual     
conflict1 w\ld /ruggle = supremacy1 & d 
ea*  o!r e k9d ( h>m4    ,he gives a v  
nave refutation ( an op9ion giv5 be=e   
him t  ! height ( ! inhabitants w\ld h  
to be inv]sely z ! volume  ( ! planet & 
consequ5tly ! m5 on ,jupit] w\ld n be   
bigg]  ?an ! mice on ! e>?4 ,?is1 he    
says1 is n possible1 because  su* small 
be+s w\ld n1 z a/ronom]s1 be capable (  
us+ l>ge  telescopes4    ,an important  
"q1 accord+ to ,huyg5s1 is :e!r !       
intellig5ce ( ! inhabitants has any     
relation to _! di/ance  f ! ,sun4 ,he   
incl9es to believe t ! inhabitants (    
,m]cury  are mu* m intellig5t ?an we on 
acc\nt ( ! great] =ce &  vitality ( _!  
_s due to ! great] heat ( ! ,sun1 b ?is 
is n confirm$ by :at happ5s on our own  
globe4 ,! same reason  w\ld lead "o to  
believe t ! inhabitants ( ,jupit] are   
mu* less  intellig5t ?an ourselves1     

al?\gh its f\r satellites w\ld (f] to  !
 m9d mat]ial = pr(itable a/ronomical    
/udies4    ,:at is also evid5t is !     
small value ( a purely logical &        
philosophical reason+ bas$ on           
insuffici5t premises4 ,we see h[ a  man 
( s5se & judici\s _s c be l$ to absurd  
conclusions :5  he is burd5$ )          
preconceiv$ ideas & incomplete k4 ,we   
%all h sev]al m occasions to br+ out ?is
 fact1 & t is  :y we h avoid$ pret5d+ to
 resolve ! "q we h put4 ,!  d$uctions   
:i* we =mulate to-day may be rev]s$     
to-morr[ by new  discov]ies furni%$ ei!r
 by exp]i5ce or by !ory4    ,ap>t f 8   
decid$ op9ion conc]n+ ! habitability (  
all !  planets1 ,huyg5s draws 8         
conclusions logically en\gh1 inasmu* z  
he  bases 8 affirmations on ! k ( 8 "t4 
,an entirely opposite me?od is us$ by ! 
,jesuit ,fa!r ,kir*]4    ,he />ts f !   
po9t ( view t ! pr9cipal object ( nature
  is man & t all ! re/ is creat$ = him4 
,! planets are  un9habit$ because1 ap>t 
f man1 !re c\ld be no reasonable  be+s4 

,b s9ce !y h ^u man an influ5ce det]m9$ 
by _!  a/rological value1 he f9ds !     
planets to be su* z a/rology  repres5ts 
!m to be 9 _! action ^u u )\t consid]+  
_!  position ) reg>d to ! ,sun4    ,on  
,m]cury1 ev]y?+ takes place gaily &     
joy\sly1 s9ce all  ^? :o are born "u its
 influ5ce are incl9$ to lightness &     
mis*ief4 ,on ,v5us1 ev]y?+ is ev5       
bett]--or worse3 he f9ds  ev]y?+ graci\s
 & *>m+2 a s(t rosy light is spread ov] 
!  planet1 p]fumes are waft$ ab\t       
ev]y:]e1 zephyrs m+le _!  murmur+s ) ^? 
( ! brooks1 & gold & preci\s /ones      
sp>kle ev]y:]e4 ,jupit] hav+1 l ,v5us1 a
 b5efic5t influ5ce  ^u man1 ev]y?+ !re  
is p]fect3 ! air is pure & :olesome1  ! 
wat]s cry/al-cle>1 & ! soil itself z    
bright z silv]4  ,on ,m>s1 on ! o!r h&1 
ev]y?+ is ( a w>like r\ghness1  =bidd+ &
 t]rible1 riv]s ( boil+ pit* ov]fl[ _!  
banks  & envelop ! c\ntry 9 ?ick &      
suffocat+ smoke4 ,saturn1 z a  planet1  
is p>ticul>ly accurs$2 ev]y?+ looks l a 
des]t$  grave4 ,! planets are n inhabit$

 by human be+s1 b by angels or  g5ii :o 
rule !m4    7,all ^! argum5ts ( ,kir*]  
are n less infantile ?an ^?  ( ,huyg5s1 
b !y h left di/9ct traces 9 a/rological 
lit]ature1 & ev5 ,victor ,hugo reflects 
!m eloqu5tly47    ,a contempor>y ( ! two
 au?ors we h j m5tion$ is !  ,ne/or (   
,fr5* writ]s1 ,font5elle1 :o liv$ f     
#afeg to #ageg1  exactly a c5tury4 ,he  
describ$ ) mu* detail ! inhabitants (  !
 planets1 &1 l ,huyg5s1 he />ts f !     
basis t !y  are all inhabit$1 & inhabit$
 by be+s =m$ accord+ to !  circum/ances4
 ,on ,m]cury1 accord+ to him1 ! heat is 
s great  t ! riv]s conta9 fus$ metals   
in/ead ( wat]1 p>ticul>ly  gold & silv]2
 ! inhabitants ( ?is planet c !re=e n   
imag9e t !re are worlds l ! ,e>?1 :]e   
gold & silv] are  solid & s]ve z money4 
,besides1 ! inhabitants ( ,m]cury c\ld  
n support ! excessive heat if _! planet 
0 n animat$ by a  movem5t ( rotation s  
rapid t !y are only expos$ = a %ort  "t 
to ! rays ( ! ,sun4 ,!y are all incl9$  
to be hot-heads &1  l fools & infants1  

live )\t reflection & enjoy !mselves  9 
anticipation ( ! coolness ( ! night4    
,littr[ rem>ks on  ?is subject t ,bode1 
! translator ( ,font5elle & at "o "t    
,director ( ! ,b]l9 ,obs]vatory1 is     
s]i\sly a/oni%$ by ?is  op9ion (        
,font5elle & exclaims3 8,v /range6 = ) u
 9  ,b]l9 we f9d t a great heat makes p 
lazy & sleepy in/ead  ( lively &        
active40    ,! inhabitants ( ,v5us only 
r5d] homage to ! goddess ( love4  ,!y   
are n int]e/$ 9 philosophy or ma!matics1
 read no books  or j\rnals1 pass ! :ole 
day 9 _! flirtations1 & practise 9  a   
sup]ior mann] ! arts :i* app]ta9 to !m1 
music1 poetry1  dance1 etc41 b !y are n 
adept at cook]y1 = !y live almo/        
entirely on air4 ,!y are n beautiful1 b 
_! amor\s "*  prev5ts !m be+ influ5c$ by
 _! ugl9ess2 !y are ,celadons &         
,sylv&]s4 ,wiel& c]ta9ly did n "k !     
works ( ,font5elle1 or  he w\ld probably
 h locat$ "o ( 8 romances or 8          
love-/ories  on ,v5us z depict$ by t    
au?or4    ,font5elle's proc$ure ) reg>d 

to ,m>s is r s+ul>4 ,he  decl>es t t    
planet does n m]it any att5tion4 ,our   
imag9ative  savant h>dly wants to say   
any?+ ab\t ,jupit] ei!r4 ,he gives a    
description ( ! aspect (f]$ by ! :ole   
sol> sy/em z se5  f t planet4 ,he       
expla9s h[ ,v5us & ,m]cury are invisible
 !re  )\t ! aid ( a telescope1 & t !    
,e>? only appe>s z a  po9t4 ,! volume ( 
,jupit] causes him "s emb>rassm5t1 =    
:]eas  ! inhabitants ( ,m]cury on acc\nt
 ( ! small dim5sions ( t  planet ne>ly  
all "k ea* o!r1 ^? ( ,jupit] _c possibly
 d  s4    ,on acc\nt ( ! extreme cold1 !
 life on ,saturn is /ill m  disagreeable
 ?an t on ,jupit]4 ,if ! ,saturnians 7  
br\ght  to ! ,e>? !y w\ld c]ta9ly die ( 
heat ev5 9 ,lapl&4 ,if  ! wat] on       
,saturn is ( ! same nature z ours1 x mu/
 look l  our poli%$ /ones1 & spirits (  
w9e mu/ resemble diamond4  ,9 consequ5ce
 ! inhabitants ( ,saturn _c b be sl[ &  
phlegmatic2 !y "k no gaiety & rema9 l   
oy/]s 9 ! place  !y 7 born 94           
,font5elle cont9ues 9 ?is way )\t atta9+

 any dep?1 "u !  impression t our planet
 is ! type ( ! univ]se4 ,let u n[ pass  
to ! n9ete5? c5tury4    ,grai?uis51 !   
,director ( ! ,muni* ,obs]vatory1       
publi%$ 8  *ief works 9 ! fir/ ?irty    
ye>s ( ?is c5tury4 ,8 rese>*es  relative
 to ! habitability ( ! planets 71 !re=e1
 made at  an epo* :5 we already possess$
 important data on _! physical          
con/itution1 an epo* :51 ?anks to ! "w (
 ,bessel1 ! gold5  p]iod ( a/ronomy _h  
already begun4 ,"o may !re=e take x t  !
 "w ( ,grai?uis5 m>ks a real progress   
beyond 8 pr$ecessors1  z inde$ he says  
himself )\t c]emony4 ,b z a matt] ( fact
  he is r fruitless1 z is %[n by !      
/range mann] 9 :i* he  deals ) !        
e>?-light on ,v5us4    ,he already knew 
( ! ph5om5on1 :i* is insuffici5tly      
expla9$  ev5 9 our day1 t dur+ ! phases 
( greate/ visibility (  ,v5us ! d>k side
 appe>s to h a fa9t lum9osity4 8,!      
simple/  explanation to give ( ?is10 he 
says1 8is t at ! epo*s :5 ?is  fa9t     
light on ,v5us is visible1 ! inhabitants

 ( ! planet organise  fe/ivals & g5]al  
illum9ations1 :i* are ! easi] to arrange
 on  acc\nt ( ! vegetations ( ,v5us be+ 
incomp>ably m luxuriant  ?an ev5 ! virg9
 =e/s ( ,brazil4 ,^! fe/ivals are       
probably  celebrat$ on ! occasion (     
political *anges or accord+ to  religi\s
 p]iods4 ,n[1 ! pr9cipal obs]vations ( !
 a%5 light  on ,v5us are ^? ( ,may] 9   
#agei & ( ,h>d+ 9 #ahjf40 ,:5ce he      
draws ! foll[+ conclusion3 8,betwe5 !   
obs]vation ( ,may] &  t ( ,h>d+ #gf ye>s
 ( ,v5us & #dg ,e>? ye>s h elaps$4 ,if  
?is p]iod has a religi\s "*1 we _c see a
 ju/ification  = t numb] ( ye>s1 b x    
becomes m compreh5sible if we  assume t 
"s ,alex&] or ,napoleon !n atta9$       
univ]sal p[]4  ,if we assume t ! ord9>y 
life ( an inhabitant ( ,v5us la/s #acj  
ye>s ( ,v5us1 :i* am\nt to #hj t]re/rial
 ye>s1 ! reign ( su*  an autocrat c\ld  
easily la/ #gf ye>s z reckon$ on ,v5us4 
,i h  no int5tion to press ?is op9ion & 
d n claim its cr$ibility1  ev5 %\ld x   
appeal to ! read]'s imag9ation2 b if my 

hypo!sis  is correct1 we at lea/ receive
 direct te/imony to ! exi/5ce (         
inhabitants on ,v5us4 ,ev5 if ! p]iod 7 
%ort]1 ! ph5om5on  might /ill be due to 
"s o!r obs]vance4 ,"o c\ld celebrate all
  ! great fe/ivals by simil>            
illum9ations :i* w\ld sometimes  foll[  
close ^u "o ano!r4 ,! fires w\ld s]ve   
ano!r purpose1  inasmu* z !y w\ld ?9 out
 ! =e/s & provide fre% arable  gr\nd =  
an increas+ population4 ,l>ge migrations
 ( p w\ld  be prev5t$1 & ! consequ5t w>s
 w\ld be avoid$ & ! race  w\ld rema9    
unit$40    ,"o mu/ ackn[l$ge t ^! ideas 
( ,grui?uis5 are mo/  fanta/ic4 ,i h    
frequ5tly obs]v$ ?is unillum9at$        
hemisph]e (  ,v5us1 notably 9 ,septemb] 
#ahie & 9 ,april #ahig3 x appe>$ to me  
( a violet col\r1 & ! idea (            
illum9ations by ! inhabitants is  pure  
romance4    ,he also !n passes 9 review 
! ideas ( ,kant :i* "o f9ds  exp\nd$ 9 !
 two works cit$ above & :i* !re=e ,i ne$
 n  quote4 ,we "k t = ! ,philosoph] (   
,knigsb]g ! intellig5ce  & ! degree (   

p]fection ( ! inhabitants ( ! planets is
 9  proportion to _! di/ance f ! sun4   
,we may add to ! rem>ks ( ,m4 ,s*e9] t !
 writ]s :o h  dealt ) ! "q ( ! plurality
 ( worlds h ne>ly all  judg$ ! planets f
 ! appe>ances !y pres5t to u f our  po9t
 ( obs]vation1 & h assum$ ! h>mony (    
nature accord+  to ! mann] ( ,b]n>d9 de 
,/4 ,pi]re4 ,= ?is occasion ,i h        
re-read 8 hook ) "s int]e/4 ,to ?is v   
simple memb] ( !  ,in/itut1 ,v5us is a  
bright _w peopl$ by amor\s natives 8:o  
give  !mselves up to dance1 fe/ivals1 & 
songs1 or compete = swimm+  prizes1 l ! 
happy isl&s ( ,tahiti02 ! inhabitants ( 
,m>s are  w>like1 8resembl+ ! nor!rn    
,g]mans1 _! =e/s & hills1  _! atmosph]e 
res\nd+ to ! w>like s\nd ( _! horns &  t
 ( drums & trumpets :i* ann\nce ! spill+
 ( blood02 on  ,jupit] 8!y resemble !   
,dut*1 be+ indu/ri\s1 pati5t1 wise1     
reflective1 & t5d+ _! num]\s h]ds 9 _!  
va/ fields10  etc41 etc4    ,! au?or (  
,paul et ,virg9ie rema9s purely         
t]re/rial 9  ^! descriptions1 :i* he    

believes to be a/ronomical4    ,b let u 
return to ! diss]tation ( ,m4 ,s*e9]4   
,he passes on to  ! purely sci5tific    
aspect ( ! "q1 :i* is ! only "o  :i*    
int]e/s u "h4                           
,,! ,,orig9 ,,( ,,life      ,! problem (
 kn[+ if worlds o!r ?an ! ,e>?1 be+     
habitable1  are really inhabit$1 dep5ds 
really ^u ?is "q3 ,h[ did life  appe> on
 ?is ,e>?8    ,x is irrefutable t !re 0 
a "t :5 ! ,e>? 0 n  habitable 9 ! usual 
s5se4 ,!re=e life necess>ily _h a       
comm5cem5t4 8,?is c h tak5 place 9 ?ree 
diff]5t ways1  ei!r by a special act (  
creation1 9 :i* case x is ( little      
importance to our problem to "k :e!r ?is
 act 0 accompli%$  9 a complete mann] z 
taught by ! ,bible or :e!r x 0 limit$   
to ! creation ( ! inf]ior =ms ( life2 or
 by spontane\s  g5]ation2 or1 la/ly1 by 
! importation f space1 9 :i* we c  j z  
well imag9e g]ms ( life z gases &       
inorganic sub/ances4    8,f !           
philosophical po9t ( view1 ^! ?ree      
hypo!ses are  equally well-f\nd$1 = none

 is m easily conceiv$ ?an ! o!r  &      
obs]vation has n yet confirm$ any ( !m4 
8,if we admit ! fir/ hypo!sis1 a        
creative act1 su* a manife/ation  ( ! w 
( a ,supreme & ,imp5etrable ,be+ is     
beyond ! laws (  nature4 ,9 ?is case we 
h no means ( reason+ on ! purpose (  !  
,div9e ,w4 ,we d n "k if ! creative act 
has be5 ex]cis$  duly once 9 fav\r ( !  
,e>?1 or :e!r x is r5ew$ on v>i\s       
occasions1 or :e!r x takes place 9 !    
same mann] e "t  a heav5ly body becomes 
fit to act z an abode ( liv+ be+s4 ,we  
_c express any op9ion on t & !re=e our  
initial "q  rema9s op54 ,9 ! n>r[       
,biblical s5se ! ,e>? & mank9d mu/  be  
consid]$ ! la/ ^w 9 creation & ! idea t 
o!r  reasonable be+s might exi/ is      
necess>ily elim9at$40 ,x seems to  me t 
9 our times none ( ! read]s ( ?is book  
ne$ consid] !  fir/ hypo!sis z          
admissible4 ,ev]y?+ %[s u t liv+ be+s  h
 n be5 directly creat$ by a ,sup]natural
 ,w1 b t !y  h sl[ly & gradually evolv$ 
dur+ ! geological p]iods :i*  are kn[n  

to u4 ,s*e9] !n passes on to ! second   
hypo!sis4 8,by  spontane\s g5]ation10 he
 says1 8is meant ! =mation by mat]ial   
molecules ( an organism ( ! mo/         
rudim5t>y species1 :i*  involves our    
attribut+ to an inorganic sub/ance      
prop]ties :i* end  9 ! production (     
life4    8,! adoption ( ^! prop]ties is 
possible 9 two ways3 by a sudd5         
co9cid5ce ( fav\rable circum/ances1 or  
by a cont9u\s process  :i*1 ?anks to a  
gradual developm5t1 fills up ! gap (    
cont9uity  :i* at pres5t appe>s to exi/ 
betwe5 in]t matt] & liv+  matt]4    8,if
 circum/ances on our e>? h fav\r$       
spontane\s g5]ation1  !re is no reason  
:y !y %\ld n h done ! same on o!r       
cele/ial bodies hav+ a simil>           
con/itution1 & "o may d$uce )  c]ta9ty t
 all ! heav5ly bodies :i* are 9 ?is     
condition are  provid$ ) simil>         
organisms40 ,! au?or !n exam9es ! ?ird  
hypo!sis4    ,space c be fill$ )        
organis$ matt] or matt] capable ( life  
di/ribut$ almo/ uni=mly1 )\t be+        

specially de/9$ = any  p>ticul> body1   
s9ce we mu/ assume a comm5cem5t = ea*4  
,!  surface ( ! heav5ly bodies receives 
! organisable matt] :i*1  :5 its f9ds ! 
necess>y conditions1 develops & =ms liv+
  be+s4 ,x is cle> t 9 ?is case !       
pres5ce ( organis$ be+s  on all !       
heav5ly bodies capable ( ent]ta9+ life  
is n m]ely a  probability b a c]ta9ty4  
,s*e9] consid]s ! ?ree hypo!ses z       
equally acceptable4 ,!  fir/1 he says1  
is a matt] ( s5tim5t4 ,x does n solve ! 
"q1 s9ce x w\ld involve a ,div9e ,w4    
,out ( ! ?ree  hypo!ses ! la/ two w\ld  
solve our problem 9 an absolutely       
affirmative mann]1 :]eas ! fir/ leaves x
 undecid$4    8,we only wi% to prove "o 
?+ by our argum5t1 & t is t !  op9ion t 
habitable heav5ly bodies are really     
inhabit$ is mu*  m probable ?an !       
contr>y op9ion1 & ?is au?orises u to    
cont9ue to develop our !sis40           
,,! ,,conditions ,,( ,,life      ,!     
au?or "h puts a fundam5tal "q4 ,:at is  
life & :at is  liv+ matt]6 ,libr>ies h  

be5 writt5 on ?is subject b all to  no  
purpose1 = we are z unable to seize !   
ess5ce ( life & (  liv+ matt] z t (     
gravitation1 = in/ance1 ?\gh ! latt]    
appe>s to u inf9itely simpl] 9 its      
manife/ations ?an :at has  be5 call$    
vital =ce4    ,we only "k t on our ,e>? 
vital =ce is unit$ to a special  =m (   
matt] call$ organis$ matt]1 & t :5 ?is  
organis$  matt] disappe>s x ceases to   
exi/ z vital =ce & trans=ms             
itself--s9ce en]gy is                   
inde/ructible--into o!r =ms ( en]gy4  ,x
 is n ( mat]ial importance :e!r vital   
=ce is reg>d$ z  a special =ce or a     
special aspect ( a kn[n =ce1 e4g4       
electricity4 ,x foll[s f ?is intimate   
association ( vital =ce  ) liv+ matt] t 
! vital manife/ations 7nutrition1 gr[?1 
reproduction1 etc47 c only take place "u
 conditions 9 :i*  liv+ matt] c exi/2 9 
all o!r cases ! manife/ations (  life   
cease & dea? ensues1 or ! vital =ce     
becomes lat5t until  fav\rable          
conditions return4    ,our problem ( !  

habitability ( heav5ly bodies is !re=e  
limit$  to ! "q ( cele/ial bodies on :i*
 conditions are su* t  liv+ matt] c exi/
 9 a p]man5t =m4 ,we mu/ !re=e enquire  
fir/ ( all :at ^? conditions are1 aft]  
:i* we %all be able  to use our         
a/ronomical res\rces to f9d :e!r ^!     
conditions  are repres5t$ on ! o!r      
c5tres ( cond5sation ( matt] 9 !        
univ]se4    ,! conditions necess>y to   
life are ! m num]\s ! m  complicat$ !   
/ructure ( organic matt]4 ,! maximum (  
requirem5ts is !re=e atta9$ 9 ! high]   
animals & 9 man4    ,! simpl] !         
organism1 ! simpl] are its conditions ( 
exi/5ce  & ! great] are 9 g5]al !       
possibilities ( support+  unfav\rable   
conditions4    ,animals & plants liv+ 9 
caves or at great dep?s "u wat] are     
depriv$ ( light2 !y h accommodat$       
!mselves to t privation  & d n suff] by 
x4 ,animals require oxyg5 9 air & 9     
wat]2  plants also require a small      
quantity ( c>bonic acid = build+  up _! 
tissues4 ,!re are ev5 animalcule 9      

exi/5ce = :om  oxyg5 is a poison4 ,z a  
g5]al rule1 temp]atures above #ej       
degrees  c5tigrade are insupportable4   
,?is is due to ! fact t at t temp]ature 
album51 "o ( !  mo/ important sub/ances 
9 ! animal organism1 coagulates4        
,inf]ior  be+s c resi/ high] temp]atures
 & ev5 = a %ort "t #ajj  degrees        
c5tigrade1 :i* is ! boil+-po9t ( wat]1 b
 !y c\ld  n live long4 ,9 its liquid =m 
wat] is indisp5sable to organic  life2  
life ( any duration bel[ z]o is         
impossible because ! wat]  conta9$ 9 e  
organism w\ld solidify & ! p>ts compos+ 
! organism w\ld lose _! mobility4 ,lack 
( wat] does1 h[ev]1  n inevitably imply 
dea?1 & plants p>ticul>ly c pres]ve  = a
 long "t a lat5t vitality :ile depriv$ (
 wat]4 ,c]eals  furni% a /rik+ example1 
= :5 dri$ !y c pres]ve _!  g]m9at+ p[] =
 ye>s4 ,al?\gh liv+ matt] c pres]ve its 
vitality s long1 x is none ! less true t
 dur+ t p]iod  all manife/ations ( life 
cease4 ,if !re=e ! lack ( wat] is       
p]petual1 life mu/ be consid]$ z really 

suppress$4    ,ev5 = ! l[e/ =ms ( life  
?ree conditions mu/ be reg>d$ z         
ess5tial3 wat]1 an atmosph]e conta9+    
oxyg5 & c>bonic acid1  & a temp]ature   
betwe5 ! limits indicat$ above4    ,x is
 !re=e really f ^! ?ree po9ts ( view t  
we mu/  /udy ! heav5ly bodies 9 ord] to 
be 9 a position to judge :e!r  organic  
life z we "k x is possible on !m or n4  
,z reg>ds  kn[+ :e!r t life pres5ts     
itself "u =ms comp>able to  ^? :i* we   
see "h1 :e!r !re are1 = in/ance1 be+s   
analog\s to humanity1 t is q ano!r "q4  
,! means at ! disposal ( a/ronomy =     
det]m9+ ! con/itution  ( ! heav5ly      
bodies are ( v>i\s k9ds4 ,we c take into
 acc\nt  ph5om5a :i* at fir/ sight d n  
seem adapt$ to t end4    ,direct        
obs]vation ) ! help ( ! telescope       
enables u to  discov] ! surface details 
( ! planets & any *anges :i*  take place
 9 !m4 ,su* *anges 9 mo/ cases imply !  
exi/5ce  ( an atmosph]e4 ,obs]vations ( 
occultations ( />s by ! ,moon  or !     
planets lead to ! same result4          

,!oretical a/ronomy tells  u ! di/ance  
betwe5 ! planets & ! ,sun2 physics tell 
u !  quantity ( light receiv$ by ea*    
planet f ! ,sun2 & ! p]iod  ( revolution
 & ! incl9ation ( ! planet's axis tell u
 ab\t  ! c\rse ( its seasons4           
,photometry gives u ! am\nt ( sunlight  
reflect$ by ! surface ( ! planet1 & ?us 
furni%es indications  conc]n+ c]ta9     
prop]ties ( ! planet>y surface1         
prop]ties  :i* p]mit u to decide )      
c]ta9ty1 = in/ance1 :e!r light  is      
reflect$ by a solid surface su* z !     
gr\nd or :e!r ! rays  d n p5etrate s f> 
& are s5t back 9 ! upp] p>ts ( !        
atmosph]e by lays ( cl\ds4    ,x is     
spectrum analysis :i* furni%es1 z we "k1
 ! mo/ important  auxili>y in=mation2 x 
pres5ts ! heav5ly bodies to ! eye (  !  
m9d z ! microscope unveils to ! eye ( ! 
body ! m>vels  ( ! inf9itely small4 ,!  
rays ( light are mess5g]s :o1 hav+      
pass$ ?r\gh ! spectroscope1 br+ to u    
news ( ! mo/ di/ant  worlds & tell u ( !
 temp]ature ( ! fix$ />s1 ( ! metals    

volatilis$ 9 _! atmosph]es1 ( !         
incr$ibly l[ temp]ature (  ! nebul & ( !
 gases :i* envelop ! planets4    ,we d n
 "h wi% to intone a hymn to spectrum    
analysis2 we only wi%  to report briefly
 & simply :at we "k ( ! physical nature 
( !  cele/ial bodies4 ,b we mu/ admit t 
! greate/ am\nt ( t  k is due to !      
spectroscope4                           
,,! ,,planets ,,( ,,our ,,sy/em         
7,we cont9ue ! translation ( ! essay ( !
 ,potsdam a/ronom]47    ,9 ! light (    
contempor>y a/ronomical k let u make a  
rapid  survey ( ! o!r worlds4           
,! ,moon    ,our lady read]s w n raise  
any objection if we occupy ourselves  at
 fir/ ) ! ,moon1 ?is confidante ( e     
he>t1 ei!r happy  or unhappy4 ,! mo/    
important ?+ ab\t h] = ! mom5t c  be put
 into "o s5t5ce3 %e has nei!r air nor   
wat]1 & h]  temp]ature oscillates betwe5
 extremes sep>at$ by m ?an #bjj  degrees
 c5tigrade4 ,none ( ! conditions /at$   
above is !re=e  fulfill$1 & accord+ly no
 organic life c\ld exi/ on h]4 ,x is    

also int]e/+ to see h[ ! cessation on ! 
,moon ( "o ( ^!  vital conditions has   
entail$ ! cessation ( ! two o!rs4 ,!re  
is  no occasion to d\bt t ! ,moon =m]ly 
possess$ an atmosph]e2  by analogy ) !  
planets ?is mu/ inde$ be assum$ z       
altoge!r  c]ta94 ,! feeble mass ( our   
satellite :i*1 on ! "o h&1 has  be5 !   
cause ( its rapid cool+1 has1 on ! o!r  
h&1 br\ght  ab\t ! dissipation into     
space ( its atmosph]e1 :i* 0 probably   
always ( small d5sity4    ,b ! small] ! 
pressure ( ! air ! m rapid is !         
evaporation ( wat]1 & ?is is :y its     
disappe>ance co9cides )  t ( !          
atmosph]e4 ,besides1 ! complete abs5ce (
 air all[s !  rays ( ! ,sun to p5etrate 
)\t h9drance to ! gr\nd & to  heat x to 
a high temp]ature dur+ ! #ad times #bd  
h\rs ( duration  ( ! lun> day4 ,dur+ !  
night1 :i* is ( equal duration1 !re  is 
radiation ( heat into cele/ial space1 & 
! soil cools d[n to  a temp]ature :i* _c
 be v diff]5t f ! absolute z]o (  !     
temp]ature ( empty space4    7,i _c     

entirely accept ^! allegations ) reg>d  
to !  habitability ( our satellite4 ,!  
abs5ce ( air & ev5 ( wat] is  pot prov$4
 ,! v>iations actually obs]v$ ev5 prove 
t ! moon  is n altoge!r a dead _w4 ,b   
let ! au?or cont9ue47    ,su* a fate is 
also 9 /ore = ! ,e>?1 & no?+ c save  x4 
,our ,e>? w also "o day become a b>r5   
body1 incapable (  support+ organic     
life1 a des]t$ grave ( ! civilisation   
creat$  by ! human _s4 ,j z ! isolat$   
individual disappe>s1 s  w humanity "o  
day disappe> entirely4 ,9 a limit$ doma9
 dea?  is always f9ally victori\s2 b1 on
 ! o!r h&1 a new life  fl\ri%es else:]e1
 & :5 t new life is develop$1 "s day    
p]haps on ano!r planet ( our sy/em a    
sci5tific article w be  writt5 on ! "q  
:e!r ! ,e>? is /ill habitable4          
,m]cury    ,our k ( ! physical          
con/itution ( ,m]cury is v slight4  ,x  
seems to be surr\nd$ by a light         
atmosph]e :i* conta9s  wat]-vap\r4 ,s9ce
 ! sol> heat on ,m]cury is ab\t sev5    
times  /rong] ?an on u1 ! extreme limits

 ( temp]ature above indicat$  mu/ "h be 
v consid]ably surpass$1 & wat] c h>dly  
exi/  except 9 ! =m ( vap\r4 ,b !       
argum5t is entirely *ang$ if  we accept 
! rec5t discov]y ( ,s*iap>elli1 accord+ 
to :i* !  duration ( rotation ( ,m]cury 
w\ld be id5tical ) its p]iod (          
revolution1 s t1 l ! ,moon to ! ,e>?1   
,m]cury w\ld always  turn ! same face to
 ! ,sun4 ,on t side ! temp]ature w\ld   
naturally be v high1 :ile ! mo/ int5se  
fro/ w\ld reign on !  o!r side4 ,b      
betwe5 ^! two extremes !re ought to be a
 mix$  zone 9 :i* our ?ree conditions   
might possibly be realis$1 s t  we may  
assume = ,m]cury a limit$ habitability4 
,v5us    ,on ,v5us ! ,sun's heat is /ill
 v consid]able1 & 9 ! torrid  zone x    
w\ld be insupportable to u4 ,b1 on ! o!r
 h&1 ?is  planet is surr\nd$ by a d5se  
atmosph]e1 :i* on acc\nt ( !  pres5ce ( 
wat]-vap\r proves ! exi/5ce ( wat] on ! 
planet4  ,! high] regions ( ! atmosph]e 
are occupi$ by a ?ick lay]  ( cl\ds :i* 
h>dly ev] all[s our gaze to rea* !      

gr\nd1 b  :i* is equally oppos$ to !    
passage ( ! ,sun's rays4 ,mu* m  ?an    
half ! sol> radiation is reflect$ by t  
lay] ( cl\d1  & we c suppose1 on ! :ole1
 t ! upp] limit ( a tol]able  temp]ature
 is n pass$ at ! surface ( ?is planet4  
,& z we h  already said1 s9ce !re is    
wat] & an atmosph]e1 we h no reason  to 
d\bt ! habitability ( ,v5us4            
,m>s    ,z reg>ds ,m>s1 :i* comm5ces !  
out] s]ies ( planets1 we  obta9 a /ill m
 satisfactory result4 ,we c cle>ly      
recognise !  subdivision ( ! surface    
into wat] & dry l&4 ,its atmosph]e  has 
prop]ties :i* agree ) ^? ( our          
atmosph]e4 ,n only  is !re c]ta9 evid5ce
 ( ! exi/5ce ( wat]-vap\r1 b            
spectroscopic /udies h prov$ also t !   
pr9cipal compon5ts (  ! atmosph]e are ! 
same z ^? ( ! ,e>?'s atmosph]e--t  is to
 say t !re is oxyg5 & nitrog54          
,sometimes ! soil is  hidd5 by gr\ps (  
cl\ds1 sometimes !y disappe> to appe>   
aga9  9 o!r places4 ,its poles are      
encas$ 9 sn[ & ice1 ! :ite  area ( :i*  

v>ies 9 ext5t accord+ to ! seasons4     
,besides a  numb] ( enigmatical         
facts--we ne$ only ref] to ! canals &   
_! d\bl+--!re are num]\s meteorological 
ph5om5a on ,m>s  :i* frequ5tly occur 9  
our own atmosph]e4 ,al?\gh ! temp]ature 
( ,m>s is1 on acc\nt ( its f>!r di/ance 
f ! ,sun1  s5sibly bel[ t ( ! ,e>?1 !   
diff]5ce is n suffici5tly  consid]able  
to oppose a s]i\s ob/acle to ! /able    
exi/5ce (  organis$ matt] 9 ! torrid or 
temp]ate zone4 ,! torrid zone (  ,m>s   
mu/ correspond approximately 9 climate  
to our temp]ate zone4  ,we c !re=e      
f9ally decl>e ) entire conviction t !   
conditions (f]$ by ,m>s are suitable =  
life z we "k x on ,e>?4                 
,jupit]1 ,saturn1 ,uranus1 & ,neptune   
,) ! planets ,jupit]1 ,saturn1 ,uranus1 
& ,neptune we ent] a region  q diff]5t f
 ! prec$+ "o4 ,^! bodies all possess    
atmosph]es ( great d5sity 9 :i*1 on     
,jupit] = in/ance1 we c  obs]ve imm5se  
revolutions & viol5t cataclysms4 ,!y    
also conta9  wat]-vap\r1 b besides t !y 

conta9 a sub/ance *>act]is$  by a /rong 
absorption ( c]ta9 r$ rays4 ,?is gas is 
f\nd 9 a  small quantity on ,jupit]1 b 9
 mu* great] quantities on ,saturn  &    
,uranus4 ,on ! latt] planet ! atmosph]e1
 ap>t f !  wat]-vap\r conta9$ 9 x1 does 
n seem to h any analogy )  ours2 /rong  
absorption-b&s %[ 9 ! less refrangible  
portions (  ! spectrum4 ,z we h se5 t   
oxyg5 is n absolutely necess>y  to      
organic life1 ! s+le fact t ! out]      
planets h an  atmosph]e may suffice to  
%[ t our fir/ condition is fulfill$4  ,!
 pres5ce ( wat]-vap\r 9 _! atmosph]e    
proves ! exi/5ce  ( wat] & fulfils !    
second condition4 ,z reg>ds ! ?ird      
condition1 ,jupit] also seems to satisfy
 t1 at lea/ 9 equatorial  regions1      
especially if we take into acc\nt t     
radiation ( heat  into space is mu*     
limit$ by ! ?ick atmosph]e fill$ )      
cl\ds4  ,! f>!r we g away f ! ,sun ! m  
does ! ?ird condition  become prec>i\s1 
& :ile we may h "s d\bt conc]n+ ,saturn1
  x _c be d5i$ t on ,uranus & ,neptune !

 sol> heat is  insuffici5t to support   
organis$ life 9 a durable way4          
99       99       99       99       99  
7,! atmosph]es might be =m$ ( gases :i* 
w\ld make !  radiation almo/ z]o & w\ld 
produce a relatively high temp]ature4   
,?is c]ta9ly happ5s 9 ! case ( ,m>s1 ^: 
temp]ature is n  l[] ?an t ( our globe1 
:]e ! pol> sn[s are less d5se  ?an ours 
& melt m completely 9 ! c\rse ( !       
summ]47           99       99       99  
99       99    ,b ano!r peculi>ity      
pres5ts itself :i* may rev]se all our   
ideas  relative to ! planets f ,jupit]  
outw>ds4 ,c]ta9 obs]vations  t5d to %[ t
 ,jupit] is n yet cool$ d[n1 t its real 
nucleus  is /ill fus$ or p]haps ev5 9 ! 
gase\s /ate1 & t x has  n yet =m$ a     
solid cru/ ^u :i* life might develop4   
,besides  ! ph5om5a directly obs]v$ or  
reveal$ 9 ! spectroscope1  ! v small    
specific gravity ( ^! planets also      
supports t  hypo!sis--! d5sity ( ,saturn
 is ab\t ! same z t ( cork4 ,x  is v    
difficult to =m an exact idea ( !       

con/itution ( ^!  planets4 ,on ! o!r h&1
 x is possible to believe t "o ( !      
extreme planets1 ,uranus = in/ance1 is  
suffici5tly cool$ to possess  at lea/ a 
liquid surface :i*1 on acc\nt ( !       
int]nal heat (  ! planet1 may h pres]v$ 
= a c]ta9 p]iod a temp]ature  suffici5t 
to ent]ta9 life ev5 aft] ! sol> heat is 
no long]  suffici5tly p[]ful ,b ^! are  
only hypo!ses4           99       99    
99       99       99    ,let u summ>ise 
9 a few words ! results ( ?is *apt]4    
,on ! ,moon no organic matt] c exi/2 we 
may suppose liv+ be+s  to exi/ 9 a small
 zone ( ,m]cury2 ! surface ( ,v5us is v 
probably habitable 9 mo/ ( its regions2 
,m>s is c]ta9ly habitable  & probably "u
 su* conditions t c]ta9 species ( our   
plants  & animals c\ld1 if transport$ to
 t planet1 cont9ue to live  !re4    ,= !
 o!r planets ! possibility ( habitation 
_c be entirely  d5i$1 b ! exi/5ce ( liv+
 be+s on _! soil is n  probable4 ,let u 
add1 = ! sake ( complet5ess1 t on !     
,sun1  :i* radiates ! mo/ int5se heat1 &

 on ^? innum]able o!r  suns :i* we call 
/>s & :i* ! telescope reveals to u1 liv+
  matt] c]ta9ly does n exi/4    ,x      
foll[s t ( ! millions ( />s visible to u
 9 ! univ]se  !re are only two or ?ree  
:i* we c\ld consid] ) any c]ta9ty       
capable ( be+ inhabit$ z we conceive x4 
,t seems a r  unsatisfy+ result1 :i*    
all[s an icy s5tim5t ( lonel9ess 9      
inf9ite space to take possession ( our  
s\ls4    ,we h se5 9 ! fir/ "p ( our "w 
h[ ! speculations (  ^? :o =m]ly        
discuss$ ! habitability ( ! planets n   
only  rais$ ! "q :e!r su* & su* a planet
 0 inhabit$1 b  also tackl$ ! mu* va/]  
problem ( ! p>ticul> *>act]s  ( ! be+s  
:i* liv$ !re4 ,aft] att5tively foll[+ ! 
discussion1 nobody %\ld ask to p5etrate 
fur!r into ?is "q4  ,x has inde$ be5 a  
great ef=t to obta9 a positive result at
 all1  ev5 :ile re/rict+ ! population ( 
! planets to ! simple/  =ms ( organis$  
matt]4 ,! numb] ( =ms "u :i* x %[s      
itself on ! ,e>? is s consid]able t we c
 only be daz$ by its  abundance1 & ?is  

impression mu/ be ev5 increas$ if we    
rememb]  t ! possible =ms are f> f be+  
exhau/$ & t we only  "k ^? :i*1 satisfy+
 t]re/rial conditions1 h be5 able  to   
survive by adapt+ !mselves to _!        
surr\nd+s4 ,we d n  exagg]ate 9 decl>+ t
 ,nature recognises no limit to ! numb] 
( =ms :i* c h>b\r life1 & ?is obs]vation
 is an argum5t  9 fav\r ( ^? :o desire  
to f9d reasonable or sup]ior be+s 9     
di/ant worlds4 ,x indicates t z soon z !
 fir/ g]ms ( life  exi/1 ! possibility (
 a complete developm5t is !re1 & t      
h[ev] diff]5t ! ext]nal conditions may  
be1 ,nature is n at a  loss = v>ieties (
 =ms ( life4 ,t is :y we h ! "r to  hope
 t on ,m>s1 = in/ance1 !re are be+s :o n
 only %[  manife/ations ( animal life1 b
 :o are end[$ ) intellectual  faculties4
 ,t1 h[ev]1 is all we c ackn[l$ge3 ! "r 
to hope  & n to a c]ta9ty4    ,yet at ! 
risk ( expos+ ourselves to a criticism  
simil> to t  :i* we h 9 ! fir/ "p       
direct$ aga9/ o!r au?ors1 we  w\ld n[   
invite ! read] to foll[ u = a mom5t into

 ! doma9  ( speculation & hypo!sis4     
,,! ,,possibility ,,( ,,be+s ,,(        
,,diff]5t ,,*emical ,,con/itution       
,9 ?is *apt] ,s*e9] develops ! idea     
indicat$ above 7page #abg7  on !        
possibility ( ! exi/5ce 9 o!r worlds (  
liv+ be+s  entirely diff]5t f ourselves4
    ,we h up to n[ 7he writes7 und]/ood 
by organis$ matt] some?+  ( :i* c>bon1  
comb9$ ) hydrog51 nitrog51 & o!r        
elem5ts1 is ! pr9cipal *emical compon5t4
 ,c>bon is ! ess5tial  con/itu5t2       
organic *emi/ry is ! *emi/ry ( c>bon4   
,we d  n "k any o!r sub/ance :i* w\ld   
all[ ( su* an array (  comb9ations1 b ! 
possibility ( su* a body _c be d5i$4    
,:ile on ,e>? all life is b\nd up )     
c>bon comp\nds1 "o may  suppose t 9     
entirely diff]5t circum/ances ano!r     
elem5t  might %[ itself capable (       
support+ ! conditions ( life 9          
comb9ations :i* might resi/ great] heat 
)\t decomposition or  great] cold )\t   
becom+ torpid4 ,a few ye>s ago we seem$ 
to be  on ! track ( some?+ l t4 ,silicon

 is ! elem5t  :i* has ! greate/ *emical 
analogy to c>bon1 & 9 comb9ation  )     
oxyg5 x is f\nd 9 enorm\s quantities 9 !
 =m ( silica1  & all its comb9ations h v
 *>act]i/ic prop]ties4 ,j z  9 organic  
matt] e be+ =ms itself into cells by    
fission or  conjugation1 s also c we    
produce f comb9ations ( silicic acid a  
cell f :i* "u our eyes an object        
develops :i* has a vegetable  appe>ance4
 ,?is exp]im5t1 easy to make1 is p]haps 
unkn[n to _m  ( our read]s1 & !re=e we  
mu/ say a little m ab\t x4    ,mo/      
comb9ations ( silicic acid ) metals are 
insoluble 9 wat]4  ,"s1 h[ev]1 &        
especially a comb9ation ) potassium kn[n
 by !  "n ( wat]-glass1 occurs 9 a      
soluble =m4 ,if into su* a solution  we 
introduce a small quantity ( any soluble
 metallic salt su* z  *loride ( copp] or
 silv] nitrate1 decomposition takes     
place & !  *loride ( copp] is conv]t$   
into silicate ( copp] & *loride (       
pota%4 ,a v curi\s ph5om5on !n takes    
place4 ,at ! mom5t :5  ! fir/ traces ( !

 metallic salt are dissolv$1 !          
decomposition  m5tion$ above takes place
 & ! molecule ( salt is cov]$ )  an     
extremely f9e sk9 ( insoluble silicate4 
,x is across ?is sk9  t ! liquids are !n
 ex*ang$ by a process ( osmosis :i*1 z  
we "k1 plays a great "p 9 ! life (      
plants & animals & :i*  "h takes place z
 foll[s3    ,m liquid ent]s ! membrane  
?an issues f x2 consequ5tly  ! int]nal  
pressure increases until x is great     
en\gh to break  ?r\gh ! membrane1       
some:]e all[+ a drop ( ! liquid :i*  is 
a solution ( metallic salt to escape4   
,on acc\nt ( ! *emical  decomposition1  
?is drop imm$iately surr\nds itself ) a 
new sk91  & ! process ( rupture &       
re=mation is repeat$ until !  metallic  
salt inside ! membrane is completely    
decompos$4 ,we ?us  see aris+ "u our    
eyes 9 a few m9utes a m>vell\s          
arboresc5t  /ructure :i* c\ld at fir/   
sight be tak5 = "s plant (  inf]ior     
ord]4 ,! rupture ( ! membrane always    
takes place 9  ! mo/ rec5tly =m$        

portion1 because !re ! membrane1 :i*    
?ick5s gradually1 has z yet ! lea/      
?ickness2 t is g5]ally  ! upp] portion1 
s t ?is (f]s ano!r analogy to plant     
life4  ,! coloration ( ! cells diff]s ) 
! nature ( ! metallic  salt1 b we _c    
trace any influ5ce ^u ! =ms obta9$4 ,by 
?r[+ into ! solution sev]al diff]5t     
metallic salts1 "o c  =m a _m-col\r$    
g>d5 9 a small bottle4    ,we are f> f  
see+ 9 ?is exp]i5ce any?+ b a q ext]nal 
resemblance to ! ph5om5a ( liv+ matt]4  
,yet x leads u to o!r  reflections1     
especially z we d n yet "k any?+ conc]n+
 !  real nature ( liv+ matt]4    ,among 
plants & inf]ior species ( ! animal _w  
we _c imag9e  a life consci\s ( itself4 
,b 9 common ) our silica creature !y  %[
 gr[? & ! consumption ( *emical         
sub/ances4 ,9 bo? cases  t gr[? is      
arre/$ :]ev] & :5ev] ! food gives out4  
,?is  happ5s 9 ! silica solution :5 !   
provision ( metallic salt is  exhau/$2 &
 ^! are n ! only analogies :i* "o c f9d4
    ,b x w be said t !re is 9 reality a 

capital diff]5ce3 9  "o case we h to d )
 real life = :i* we h no explanation2  9
 ! o!r we h to d ) a simple             
*emico-physical ph5om5on4    ,we reply t
 a few c5turies ago ?is *emical         
vegetation w\ld h  be5 an enigma z life 
itself is /ill to u1 & nobody w\ld !n  h
 d\bt$ t he 0 obs]v+ ! developm5t ( "s  
/range  plant4 ,w\ld !y n !n h tak5 !   
silicon cell = an organic  cell8 ,:at   
foll[s8 ,t ! idea ( liv+ nature is q    
relative1  t x *anges ) our k1 & t an   
imag9ative _s is  q at lib]ty to end[ ! 
/>e :i* we j exclud$ f life  ) a life q 
diff]5t f ours4    ,ap>t f ^!           
possibilities1 ! some:at disc\rag+      
result (  our previ\s /udy 0 t ( all    
cele/ial bodies visible to u only  two  
or ?ree c\ld be describ$ ) any          
probability z fit to support  some?+    
resembl+ our t]re/rial organic life4 ,we
 _c object to  ?is conclusion s long z  
we take x lit]ally1 b we wi% to po9t    
out t all dep5ds ^u ! little re/riction 
conta9$ 9 ! words  8visible to u40      

,we mu/ !re=e include ! heav5ly bodies  
:i* we _c see &  conc]n+ :i* we "k v    
little4 ,b "h we enc\nt] a v  peculi>   
p>adox4 ,we "k no?+ ab\t ^! invisible   
/>s1 & yet  z f> z our int]e/s are      
conc]n$ we "k m ab\t !m ?an  ! o!rs4 ,= 
ma!matics comes to our aid1 & if we rely
 on !  calculus ( probabilities we      
arrive1 z we %all see1 at v cle>        
results4    ,our ,sun has creat$ =      
itself1 )\t c\nt+ ! a/]oids1  a ret9ue (
 eight planets1 :i* on acc\nt ( _!      
respective  di/ances f ! c5tral body are
 plac$ 9 ! mo/ div]se  conditions z     
reg>ds temp]ature4 ,out ( ^! eight      
planets "o1 !  ,e>?1 is und\bt$ly       
inhabit$1 & two o!rs1 ,m>s & ,v5us1 v   
probably4 ,f ! fact t ! ,sun has produc$
 n "o planet b  eight1 we c conclude t v
 probably ! o!r suns or fix$ />s  h also
 produc$ "o or sev]al planets1 & t ^?   
:i* escape  f t law are ! exception4 ,we
 mu/ also admit t among ^!  /ell>       
planets !re may be "s 9 su* a condition 
& at su* a  di/ance f _! c5tral sun t   

organic life is possible on _!          
surfaces4    ,we %all make ?is          
calculation ) figures s mode/ t we %all 
obta9 results obvi\sly bel[ ! tru?4     
,! numb] ( />s reveal$ by a telescope ( 
mod]ate p[] am\nts  to #aj millions4 ,if
 we suppose t e /> only has on an av]age
  "o planet1 we obta9 already !         
consid]able numb] ( #aj million         
planets4 ,x is true t ) u ?ree planets  
out ( eight may be  consid]$ habitable1 
b let u suppose ! proportion 9 ! univ]se
  is only "o 9 a hundr$4 ,we %all /ill h
 no less ?an a hundr$  ?\s& habitable   
planets4    ,?is numb]1 evid5tly fall+  
%ort ( reality1 makes already q  ano!r  
figure comp>$ ) ! ?ree habitable worlds 
we _h be=e4    ,aft] t ! univ]se no     
long] appe>s su* a des]t4 ,!re is  no?+ 
to h9d] u f giv+ re9 to our fancy &     
imag9+ on  ! "o h& ! /range/ =ms ( life 
among ! innum]able planets  gravitat+   
r\nd ! />s1 & on ! o!r h& ?9k+ be+s  :i*
 surpass u consid]ably 9 intellig5ce &  
to :om our mo/  difficult problems are z

 transp>5t z self-evid5t tru?s4 ,!      
conclusion is t 9 all sorts ( degrees we
 mu/ see ,life radiat+  into space &    
light+ up ,inf9ity4                     
,,rem>ks      ,to ?is int]e/+ /udy (    
,monsieur ,s*e9] we may add 9 ! fir/    
in/ance t ! "q is /ill m complex1 t we c
 consid]  ! res\rces ( ,nature z        
inf9ite1 & t 8positive0 sci5ce  f\nd$   
only ^u our s5ses is q insuffici5t1 ?\gh
 x may be  ! only basis ( our reason+4  
,x is ?r\gh ! eyes ( ! _s  t we mu/     
survey ! univ]se4    ,z we h se51 ?is   
new exam9ation ( ! "q ( !  habitability 
( o!r worlds by ?9k+ be+s pres5ts a new 
int]e/1 & ! au?or has be5 able to escape
 ! usual error  ( sci5tific writ]s1 :i* 
consi/s 9 suppos+ t ! fir/  condition ( 
habitability ( ano!r _w is t x resembles
 !  ,e>?4 ,t is always ! reason+ ( !    
fi%1 :i* w\ld affirm  )\t an absolutely 
logical conviction irrefutable to       
himself t  x is impossible to live      
outside wat]4 ,b x seems to u t our     
conception ( ! univ]se c be ev5 m va/ & 

elevat$ ?an t  ( ! le>n$ ,g]man         
a/ronom]4    ,z reg>ds ! planet>y sy/ems
 diff]+ f ours1 we are no long]  oblig$ 
to fall back ^u suppositions4 ,we "k    
already ) c]ta9ty  t our ,sun is no     
exception1 z "s !oreticians ma9ta9$ ev5 
q rec5tly4 ,! discov]y is ( consid]able 
int]e/4    ,x is surely a r exceptional 
situation t a sid]eal sy/em  consi/+ ( a
 c5tral sun & "o or m bodies gravitat+  
r\nd  x %\ld h its sy/em j 9 our l9e (  
vision s t !  revolution ( ! bodies :i* 
compose x %\ld br+ d>k bodies  betwe5 u 
& ! /> & produce a m or less complete   
eclipse4  ,s9ce1 on ! o!r h&1 su*       
eclipses w\ld be our only means (  prov+
 ! exi/5ce ( ^! unkn[n planets 7except  
p]turbations  z 9 ! case ( ,sirius &    
,procyon71 x seems t x w\ld h  be5      
absolutely d>+ to hope = su* a          
circum/ance to discov]  sol> sy/ems     
diff]5t f ours4 ,yet ?is exceptional    
case occurs 9  v>i\s p>ts ( ! sky4 ,?us1
 = example1 ! v>iable /> ,algol  owes   
its v>iation ( brightness1 :i* r$uces x 

f ! second to  ! f\r? magnitude at      
int]vals ( #fi h\rs1 to ! int]position (
  a body betwe5 x & ! ,e>?1 & cele/ial  
me*anics has already  be5 able to       
det]m9e ) precision ! orbit ( ?is body1 
its  dim5sions & its mass1 & ev5 !      
ellipticity ( ! ,algol sun4  ,?us we h  
"h a sy/em ( :i* we "k ! sun & "o       
enorm\s  planet ^: revolution takes     
place 9 #fi h\rs ) a v high  velocity z 
measur$ 9 ! spectroscope1 a planet /ill 
self-lum9\s1  al?\gh less lum9\s ?an its
 sun1 z ! ,e>? 0 long ago1 b  a planet 9
 ! c\rse ( cool+ & approximat+ to ! /ate
 (  ,jupit]4    ,! /> ,delta ,cephei is 
9 ! same case3 x is an eclips+ v>iable  
) a p]iod ( #abi h\rs1 & its eclips+    
planet also revolves 9  ! plane conta9+ 
our l9e ( vision4 ,! /> ,u ,oph9*i %[s a
  simil> sy/em1 & obs]vation has reveal$
 sev]al o!rs4    ,if !re=e *ance has    
br\ght x ab\t t a c]ta9 numb] (  diff]5t
 sol> sy/ems %\ld h be5 reveal$ to      
t]re/rial  obs]vation by pres5t+ side   
views1 t is evid5ce ( ! exi/5ce  (      

innum]able sol> sy/ems dissem9at$ ?r\gh 
! dep?s ( space1  & we are no long]     
r$uc$ to m]e conjectures4    ,on ! o!r  
h&1 ! analysis ( ! movem5ts ( sev]al    
/>s1  su* z ,sirius1 ,procyon1 ,altair1 
& _m o!rs1 proves t ^!  f>-di/ant suns h
 companion planets z yet unreveal$ by ! 
telescope1 & :i* possibly may nev] be   
discov]$ because !y are  d>k & lo/ 9 !  
radiation ( ! />4 ,! companion discov]$ 
9 ! neighb\rhood ( ,sirius is n ! only  
cele/ial body ( t  sy/em4 ,s*e9] speaks 
( ab\t #aj million />s z con/itut+ !    
sid]eal univ]se4 ,b ! photographic *>t (
 ! heav5s :i*  comprises />s d[n to !   
?irte5? magnitude is already expect$ to 
conta9 #cj millions4 ,if we g d[n to !  
l[e/ magnitudes we rea*  ! figure ( #ajj
 millions4 ,x is !re=e n an army (      
#ajj1jjj  worlds :i* appe>s be=e u1 b r 
( sev]al millions4    ,n[1 ?is is a po9t
 ( ! greate/ importance = ! exact       
appreciation ( ! problem4    ,!         
t]re/rial organisms f ! l[e/ up to man  
are ! result (  =ces 9 action on !      

surface ( our planet4 ,! fir/ organisms 
seem to h be5 produc$ by comb9ations (  
c>bon ) hydrog5  & oxyg51 & _! life     
consi/$1 s to speak1 only 9 a few       
rudim5t>y s5sibilities4 ,sponges1       
corals1 polypi1 m$us1 give  u an idea ( 
^! primitive be+s4 ,!y 7 =m$ 9 ! w>m    
wat]s ( ! prim>y ages4 ,:ile !re 7 yet  
no cont95ts nor  isl&s em]g+ f !        
univ]sal ocean1 !re 7 no air-brea?+     
organisms4 ,! fir/ aquatic be+s 7       
succe$$ by amphibia &  reptiles4        
,aft]w>ds came ! mammalia & ! birds4 ,! 
con/itution  ( be+s /&s 9 close relation
 ) ! sub/ances ( :i* !y  are compos$1 ! 
m$ium 9 :i* !y live1 ! temp]ature1 !    
light1 ! d5sity1 gravitation1 l5g? ( day
 & night1 seasons1  etc4--9 a ^w1 all ! 
cosmographic elem5ts ( ! planet4    ,if1
 = example1 we comp>e two su* worlds z !
 ,e>? & ,neptune1  :i* diff] v mu* z    
reg>ds di/ance f ! ,sun1 we _c  imag9e =
 a s+le in/ant t ! organic =ms %\ld h _h
 !  same developm5t4 ,! av]age          
temp]ature mu/ be mu* l[] on ,neptune   

?an on ! ,e>?1 & s mu/ ! int5sity (     
light4 ,! ye>s &  ! seasons are #afe    
times long] ?an ) u2 ! d5sity ( mat]ials
  is ?ree times less1 & gravitation1 on 
! o!r h&1 is a little  /rong]4 ,"u      
conditions s diff]5t f ours1 !          
activities (  ,nature c only h be5 %[n 9
 o!r =ms4 ,! elem5ts also are  n f\nd   
pres5t 9 ! same proportions1 & spectrum 
analysis has  ev5 %[n u t sub/ances :i* 
prevail 9 ! atmosph]es (  ,jupit]1      
,saturn1 & ,uranus1 z well z ,neptune1  
are diff]5t f  ^? :i* con/itute our     
organisms4 ,lungs function+ 9 ano!r     
atmosph]e w\ld h to be diff]5t f ours4  
,! same applies to  ! /oma* & ! dige/ive
 organs4 ,*emical con/itution is n ev5  
! same4 ,in/ead ( c>bon z a fundam5tal  
elem5t associat$ )  hydrog51 oxyg51 &   
nitrog51 we c imag9e ) ,s*e9] silicon  &
 o!r bodies4 ,we mu/ conclude t ! organs
 & ! s5ses  _c be ! same z !y are "h4 ,!
 optic n]ve1 = in/ance1  :i* has be5 =m$
 & develop$ "h f ! rudim5t>y organ  ( ! 
trilobite to ! m>vels ( ! human eye1 mu/

 on ,neptune be  incomp>ably m s5sitive 
?an x is 9 our bl9d+ sunlight &  mu/    
p]ceive radiations :i* we d n p]ceive   
"h4 ,x may ev5  be replac$ by ano!r     
organ4 ,! bodily =ms1 animal & human1 c 
resemble no?+ on e>?4    ,c]ta9 savants 
object t1 if ! conditions are too       
diff]5t  f t]re/rial conditions1 life _c
 exi/ at all4 ,b we h no  "r to limit ! 
p[]s ( ,nature by ! n>r[ness ( our sph]e
  ( obs]vation1 or to pret5d t our      
planet & our human race are  ! model =  
all planets4 ,t is an hypo!sis z        
infantile z x is  ridicul\s4    ,o!rs g 
/ill f>!r1 & imag9e t life only appe>s  
on ,e>?1  & t we h no suffici5t reason  
to suppose t on o!r globes  x has be5 ! 
result ( inorganic evolution4 ,?is1 z we
 h (t5  repeat$1 w\ld be a /range       
int]pretation ( ! language ( ,nature1   
consid]+ t our small planet is too small
 a cup to conta9 !  :ole ( life1 t t    
life ab\nds ev]y:]e1 fills ! wat]s1     
sw>ms 9 ! air1 cov]s ! entire surface ( 
! globe1 & t  ! f]tility ( ,nature is   

su* t %e multiplies p>asitic life  at ! 
exp5se ( life itself1 r ?an get tir$ (  
produc+4  ,& ! spectacle is ! same = all
 ! imm5se duration ( !  geological eras4
 ,q lately1 notic+ a heap ( fossils ( ! 
second>y era by ! roadside 9 ! c\ntry1  
,i took a /one to put  x into a         
collection1 = x 0 entirely made up (    
%ells petrifi$  & cem5t$ 9 a block4 ,9  
tak+ x up ,i expos$ a sw>m+ mass  ( liv+
 be+s1 small snails1 wood-lice1 beetles2
 & ,i caught two  liz>ds2 :ile          
butt]flies laid _! eggs 9 ! plants      
ar\nd4 ,life  ( =m] days1 life ( to-day1
 life ev]y:]e4 ,life always6    ,c]ta9  
m9ds are capable ( suppos+ t = ! :ole   
duration (  its exi/5ce1 = millions (   
ye>s1 a _w c\ld come to no?+  b ! /ate (
 dead & b>r5 rock & t ! life :i* sw>ms  
on ! surface ( our planet is only a     
freak due to ! =tuit\s  comb9ation (    
elem5ts ( fruitfulness1 a p>asitism ( m 
or less  l>ge fleas :i* might nev] h be5
 produc$ at all4 ,b t is  a hypo!sis    
contr>y to ! obs]vation ( ,nature1 &    

difficult to  ma9ta9 s]i\sly except z a 
pure play ( ! imag9ation1 :i* does  n   
satisfy ! mo/ elem5t>y logic4 ,& ?\gh   
our logic may n be  t ( ,nature1 yet we 
mu/ n /ray too f> away f x if we want   
to reason4    ,b z we h already repeat$ 
s (t5 9 ?is book1 & :at we mu/  ?or\ghly
 absorb1 is ! importance ( "t z well z (
 space4 ,j  z our _w is no?+ b a small  
isl&1 a po9t 9 ! univ]se1 s  also our   
era is no?+ b a mom5t 9 et]nity4 ,!     
pres5t mom5t  has no m importance ?an ! 
mom5ts :i* h prec$$ or ^?  :i* are to   
come4 ,!re is no reason to believe t su*
 & su*  o!r worlds are inhabit$ at      
pres5t simply because we live at pres5t 
& c obs]ve !m4 ,"o _w has be5 inhabit$ 9
 ! pa/1 ano!r  w be inhabit$ 9 ! future4
 ,let u n be p]sonal1 l infants  or !   
ag$1 :o see only _! own room4 ,let u "k 
h[ to live 9  ! inf9ite & 9 ! et]nal4   
,,index     ,alpha ,c5tauri1 #ch1 #db   
,&rom$a1 #gj1 #he     ,animalcul1 #afe  
,atmosph]es1 planet>y1 #aje     ,atoms &
 />s1 #aeg     ,aurora ,borealis1 #age  

,b]n\lli1 #aff     ,bessel1 #ajj        
,bode1 #ahh     ,*ampollion1            
hi]oglyphics1 #adc     ,*]b\rg1 #ig     
,communication1 int]planet>y1   #ada    
,e>? curr5ts1 #ace     ,eiffel ,t[]1    
#afd     ,electrons1 #acg               
,font5elle1 #ahd     ,frau5h(]1 #aga    
,galileo1 #aja     ,giacob9i1 #ig       
,god1 #agd     ,gravitation1 #aje1 #abd 
,grui?uis51 #ajj     ,guzmann1 prize1   
#aec     ,habitability ( planets1 #agj  
,h>d+1 #aja     ,h]cules1 #afj1 #afb    
,hom]1 #ie     ,huyg5s1 #ahe            
,invisible univ]se1 #age     ,jupit]1   
#bc1 #da1 #abc1 #abe1 #ahg2     7r$     
spot71 #abf     ,juvisy ,obs]vatory1    
#ajg1 #ace1   #ach     ,kant1 #ahb      
,kir*]1 #ahd     ,leibnitz1 #aff        
,life1 conditions1 (1 #ajf     ,littr[1 
,j4 von1 #ada1 #ade     ,magnetic       
v>iations1 #aca     ,magnetic /orms1    
#acd     ,m>s1 #ad1aje1 #aaa1 #ade1     
#ahg1 #bjd2     communication )1 #aag2  
fla%es on1 #aaa2 pol> sn[s1     #aac2   
rotation1 #aad     ,mat]ialism1 #agc    

,may]1 #aja     ,m]cury1 #ahe1 #bjc     
,milky ,way1 #afc1 #agj     ,molecules1 
#afd     ,moon1 #i1 #da1 #aje1 #aaf1    
#ada1 #bja     ,neptune1 #bj1 #ce1 #da1 
#bai     ,nice ,obs]vatory1 #ig         
,pascal1 #afh     ,r5an1 #hh            
,saturn1 #ah1 #da1 #ahi     ,s*e9]1     
#aha1 #aib1 #aie1 #baj1 #bae1     #bbj  
,silicon1 #baj     ,sirius1 #dg         
,spectrum analysis1 #abg1 #bjj     ,/>s 
& atoms1 #aeg     ,/>s1 spe$ (1 #aei    
,sunspots1 #acd1 #ace     ,temp]ature ( 
planets1 #abg1 #aig     ,v5us1 #ie1     
#bjd2 rotation1 #ajg     ,wavel5g?s (   
light1 #aga                             
,,! ,,end