Dreams of an astronomer

by Camille Flammarion

VIII. IDEAS CONCERNING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE WORLDS

CHAPTER VIII
IDEAS CONCERNING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE WORLDS

THAT in a future, which is perhaps not very far distant, say in a century or two, the inhabitants of our planet might enter into optical, electrical, or telepathic communication with those of another planet of the solar system is an event which we have some right to expect, though it is not a matter of to-morrow.

About the year 1840 the astronomer von Littrow, Director of the Vienna Observatory, put forward the idea of attempting an optical communication with the Moon. A triangle traced upon the soil of the Moon by three luminous lines each from 7 to 9 miles long would be visible from here by means of our telescopes. We even observe much smaller detail, such as the singular topographical designs noticed in the lunar circle which goes by the name of Plato. Thus a triangle, a square, or circle of that size, constructed by us on a vast plain by means of luminous points, either during the day by the reflection of sunlight, or during the night by means of electric light, would be visible to the astronomers of the Moon, if such astronomers exist and if they have optical instruments equivalent to ours.

The rest of the argument is of the simplest. If we observed on the Moon a correctly constructed triangle, we should be considerably interested. We should ask ourselves whether we had observed wrongly or whether an accidental geographical movement might have given rise to a regular figure. We should no doubt end by admitting that exceptional possibility. But if we suddenly saw that triangle change into a square, and some months later be replaced by a circle, we should then admit logically that an intelligent effect proves an intelligent cause, and we should think with some reason that such figures undoubtedly reveal the presence of geometers on the neighbouring world.

From that position to a search for the reason for the formations on the Moon’s surface and to the question why and with what object those unknown comrades drew those figures would be a short step quickly taken. Would it be with the idea of entering into communication with us? The hypothesis would not be absurd. It would be put forward, it would be discussed, it would be rejected as far-fetched and defended as ingenious. And after all, why not? Why should the inhabitants of the Moon not be more curious than we, more intelligent, of higher aspirations, less stuck in the bog of material necessities? Why should they not suppose that the Earth can be inhabited as well as their own world, and why should these geometrical appeals not be made with the object of asking us whether we exist? Besides, it is not difficult to reply. We are shown a triangle, we reproduce it here. A circle is traced, we imitate it. And so communication is established between the Heavens and the Earth for the first time since the beginning of the world.

Geometry being the same for all the inhabitants of the universe, and twice two making four in all the regions of infinite space, and the three angles of a triangle always being equivalent to two right angles, signals thus exchanged between the Earth and the Moon would not even have the obscurity of the hieroglyphics deciphered by Champollion, and the communication, once established, would become regular and fertile. Besides, the Moon is close by. Its distance of 240 thousand miles is only thirty times the diameter of the earth, and many a rural postman has covered that amount of ground on foot during the course of his life. A telegram would arrive there in a second and a quarter, and light takes the same time to cover that distance. The Moon is a celestial province joined to our destiny by Nature herself.

Up to now we have noticed nothing on the Moon which might lead us to suspect the existence of a thinking humanity inhabiting that small celestial island. Tet the astronomers who specially observe our satellite and who study its singular aspects with attention and perseverance are generally of opinion that that heavenly body is not as dead as it seems. We must not forget that in the present state of optical science it is difficult in practice to apply to the study of the Moon a magnification greater than a thousand times. To see our satellite a thousand times closer than it really is still leaves it at a distance of 240 miles. Now, what can be distinguished at such a distance?

It is certain that mysterious variations actually occur on the surface, notably in the arena of the amphitheatre of Plato as mentioned above. What is also certain is that the lunar globe, 49 times smaller than the earth and 91 times lighter, exerts on its surface a gravitational attraction six times less than that which exists at the surface of our own planet, so that an atmosphere analogous to the air we breathe would be more rarefied and difficult to perceive from here. It is therefore not surprising that this neighbouring world is so different from ours. Besides, seen from a balloon 3 or 4 miles above ground, the Earth appears deserted, uninhabited, as silent as an immense cemetery, and whoever arrived from the Moon in a balloon could ask himself even at that small distance whether there were any people in France or any sound in Paris. Such at least is the impression conveyed to me by my aerial voyages.

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