Diameter.Period of Rotation.Mean Distance
from the Earth.
Sun865,000 miles25 to 26 days92,800,000 miles
Moon2,160 miles271⁄3 days
(It revolves round the
earth in the same time.)
238,000 miles
Planets.Diameter in
Miles.[1]
Number of
Satellites
Known.[2]
Period of
Rotation.
Period of
Revolution
Round the Sun.
Mean Distance
from the Sun in
Millions of Miles.
Mercury2,992NoneHrs. Mins.
?[3]
Days.
88
36
Venus7,660None?22567
Earth7,918One23 563651⁄4923⁄4
Mars4,220Two24 37687141⁄2
AsteroidsVery tiny planets, hundreds in number; and more are frequently being discovered.
Jupiter86,000Eight9 554,3321⁄2482
Saturn74,000Ten10 1410,759886
Uranus31,700FourNot known30,6871,780
Neptune34,500OneNot known60,1272,780

TO MARS via THE MOON

(Narrative written by Wilfrid Poynders, Esquire, late of Norbury, in the County Borough of Croydon, Surrey)

CHAPTER I

WE START ON A VERY LONG VOYAGE

"Well, I suppose it is about time to get ready for starting?"

The speaker was a smart, well-set-up man about forty-three years of age, whose keen and alert expression, clear eyes and well-cut features were a true index to the intellectuality and integrity of his character; whilst his closely compressed lips and the deep vertical line down the centre of his forehead betokened a dogged perseverance in carrying into effect anything he might undertake.