FROJECTILES FROM THE MOON,' gg 



Let US fuppofe too, that this body weighs one hundred 

 weight. 



What will be the velocity requifite (o overcome the mutual Refultstobeln. 

 attradions of the moon and this body, fo as to projeQ it beyond ^' ^S^^^^' 

 their powers ; remembering that its velocity will be continually 

 diminiftiing as long as any attra6ting power adls upon the pro- 

 jeQile, and calculating the aid it would receive from the cen- 

 trifugal force. 



In the journey of 240,000 miles through which it has to tra- 

 vel in a diredl line, is there any free fpace beyond the fphere 

 of the moon's attra^ftion and that of our planet's ? If fo, at what 

 diftance from the moon will that be found ? and at what dif- 

 tance from the earth ? and with what velocity may it be fup- 

 pofed to travel through that fpace ? of courfe it will be much 

 flower than when firfl projected. 



As upon entering the limits of the earth's attradion its velo- 

 city will be again increafed, quare its rate of travelling to thtt 

 earth ; and, taking the three reckonings into account, in how 

 many days and hours can it be mathematically deraonftrated 

 that it would reach our folid globe ? 



Acted upon by the united forces of projection, centrifuge, 

 (If I may coin a word) and the motion of the moon in its orbit, 

 and tlie force of attraction and orbital motion of the earth, what 

 will be the precife line it may be prefumed to defcribe in its 

 courfe ? 



Would it not have a revolving motion during fome part of 

 its courfe ? 



What are the calculations by which we may be enabled to 

 judge that 3 or 5 times the velocity of a cannon-ball, at the 

 moment of projeftion, would enable it to counteradl thefe im- 

 pediments ? 



It has furprized me, that the numerous late publications men- 

 tioning this theory, have not detailed the mathematic procefles 

 by which it feems capable of being folved, or of proving its 

 fallacy. 



I hope. Sir, you will not think this obtrufion impertinent. 

 You obligingly and fatisfaClorily complied with my requeft in ^ 

 note concerning Col. Blaquiere's gun to throw double headed 

 ^ot ; this has emboldened me to exprefs my withes on the fubjeft 

 ©f this letter. J?ut I dp not wifl; to liave my ignorant queftions 



\9^i 



