From the Earth to the Moon, Part 2, Chapter 17 summary
Part 2, Chapter 17 of 51 · 9 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 17, the projectile returns to sunlight, and the travelers examine the moon’s southern mountains, where Barbicane identifies snow and Michel Ardan imagines ruined buildings. Their observations culminate at Tycho, whose brilliant crater prompts Michel to picture a secluded city, while the surrounding landscape shows no certain signs of life.
What happens
- Near the south pole, the projectile enters sunlight, warming its walls and allowing the travelers to stop burning gas for heat.
- Barbicane identifies snow on the southern mountains and concludes that the moon contains some water and air.
- Michel Ardan describes possible ruined buildings, but the narrator questions the reliability of his imaginative observations.
- The travelers pass Newton and Clavius, comparing enormous lunar craters with smaller volcanic formations on earth.
- Tycho shines so intensely that the travelers darken their lenses with smoke before examining its crater.
- Michel imagines a peaceful city inside Tycho, and Barbicane jokes that it cannot accommodate everyone who dislikes society.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Barbicane treats the reflective mountain coverings as snow and draws a firm conclusion about lunar conditions.
Quick check
Why do the travelers blacken their lenses with gas smoke?
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