A New Star

That very night, the startling news so impatiently awaited, burst like a thunderbolt over the United States of the Union, and thence, darting across the ocean, ran through all the telegraphic wires of the globe. The projectile had been detected, thanks to the gigantic reflector of Long’s Peak! Here is the note received by the director of the Observatory of Cambridge. It contains the scientific conclusion regarding this great experiment of the Gun Club.

That very night, the startling news everyone had been waiting for burst over the United States like a thunderbolt. From there, it flashed across the ocean and traveled through all the telegraph wires in the world. The projectile had been spotted, thanks to the gigantic reflector on Long’s Peak! Here is the note received by the director of the Observatory of Cambridge. It gives the scientific conclusion about this great experiment by the Gun Club.

LONG’S PEAK, December 12. To the Officers of the Observatory of Cambridge. The projectile discharged by the Columbiad at Stones Hill has been detected by Messrs. Belfast and J. T. Maston, 12th of December, at 8:47 P.M., the moon having entered her last quarter. This projectile has not arrived at its destination. It has passed by the side; but sufficiently near to be retained by the lunar attraction.

LONG’S PEAK, December 12. To the Officers of the Cambridge Observatory. Messrs. Belfast and J. T. Maston spotted the projectile fired by the Columbiad at Stones Hill. They spotted it on December 12 at 8:47 P.M., after the moon had entered its last quarter. The projectile has not reached its destination. It passed by the moon, but close enough to be held by its gravity.

The rectilinear movement has thus become changed into a circular motion of extreme velocity, and it is now pursuing an elliptical orbit round the moon, of which it has become a true satellite.

Its straight-line movement has thus changed into extremely fast circular motion. It is now in an elliptical orbit around the moon, becoming a true satellite.

The elements of this new star we have as yet been unable to determine; we do not yet know the velocity of its passage. The distance which separates it from the surface of the moon may be estimated at about 2,833 miles.

We have not yet determined the orbital elements of this new star. We do not yet know how fast it is moving. Its distance from the moon’s surface may be estimated at about 2,833 miles.

However, two hypotheses come here into our consideration.

However, we must consider two possibilities here.

1. Either the attraction of the moon will end by drawing them into itself, and the travelers will attain their destination; or,

1. Either the moon’s gravity will eventually pull the travelers in, and they will reach their destination, or,

2. The projectile, following an immutable law, will continue to gravitate round the moon till the end of time.

2. Following an unchanging law, the projectile will continue to orbit the moon until the end of time.

At some future time, our observations will be able to determine this point, but till then the experiment of the Gun Club can have no other result than to have provided our solar system with a new star. J. BELFAST.

Future observations will be able to settle this point. But until then, the Gun Club's experiment can only have provided our solar system with a new star. J. BELFAST.

To how many questions did this unexpected denouement give rise? What mysterious results was the future reserving for the investigation of science? At all events, the names of Nicholl, Barbicane, and Michel Ardan were certain to be immortalized in the annals of astronomy!

How many questions did this unexpected outcome raise? What mysterious discoveries would scientific investigation bring in the future? In any case, the names of Nicholl, Barbicane, and Michel Ardan were sure to live forever in the history of astronomy!

When the dispatch from Long’s Peak had once become known, there was but one universal feeling of surprise and alarm. Was it possible to go to the aid of these bold travelers? No! for they had placed themselves beyond the pale of humanity, by crossing the limits imposed by the Creator on his earthly creatures. They had air enough for two months; they had victuals enough for twelve;—but after that? There was only one man who would not admit that the situation was desperate—he alone had confidence; and that was their devoted friend J. T. Maston.

Once the dispatch from Long’s Peak became known, everyone felt surprise and alarm. Was it possible to help these daring travelers? No! They had put themselves beyond humanity’s reach by crossing the limits the Creator had set for his earthly creatures. They had enough air for two months and enough food for twelve. But after that? Only one man refused to believe the situation was hopeless. He alone remained confident: their devoted friend J. T. Maston.

Besides, he never let them get out of sight. His home was henceforth the post at Long’s Peak; his horizon, the mirror of that immense reflector. As soon as the moon rose above the horizon, he immediately caught her in the field of the telescope; he never let her go for an instant out of his sight, and followed her assiduously in her course through the stellar spaces. He watched with untiring patience the passage of the projectile across her silvery disc, and really the worthy man remained in perpetual communication with his three friends, whom he did not despair of seeing again some day.

Besides, he never let them out of sight. From then on, his home was the station at Long’s Peak. His horizon was the mirror of the immense reflector. As soon as the moon rose above the horizon, he caught her in the telescope’s field of view. He never let her out of sight for an instant and followed her closely through the stars. With tireless patience, he watched the projectile cross her silvery disc. In fact, the good man remained in constant contact with his three friends. He still hoped to see them again someday.

“Those three men,” said he, “have carried into space all the resources of art, science, and industry. With that, one can do anything; and you will see that, some day, they will come out all right.”

“Those three men,” he said, “have taken all the resources of art, science, and industry into space. With those resources, they can do anything. And you will see that someday, they will come out all right.”