Cities In the Moon.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 64, 17 February 1885, Page 4

Cities In the Moon.

The New York Sun m a .recent issue, says :— A letter from Berlin to a prominent gentleman of this city contains a very interesting communication concerning the alleged discoveries by Dr Blendmann, a professor jin the Royal .Academy af Berlin, of evidences that the moon is inhabit* ed, . Dr Blendmann professes to have discovered that the telephonic observations made up to the present time have given a negative result on account of the excessive light that irradiates from the lunar disc, which prevents an exact examination of the surface. Dr. Blendmann softened the light by using the condensed smoke of camphor. He had to make hundreds of trials before finding tne exact measure of softening required to obtain a perfect image of the moon. He then took with a reflecting telescope a very detailed and correct photographic view of the disc of the moon, which he afterward exposed under a powerful solar micrbscrope. The circle obtained m the photograph had m the micro, scrope an apparent diameter of over thirty-three feet. In this way, the story is, he was able to perceive that what had been believed to be seas are really regions covered! wtth rich vegetation, and what have always been taken for mountainous regions are deserts and seas. One can see, the letter says, with. striking distinctness, cities, towns, and villages, aud there are strong indications of industry and commerce. With a full moon Dr Blendmann has obtained photographic views so distinct that they indicate that if larger telescopes could be used the discovery would be still more completely confirmed.