Erebus or in Grinnell Land a terrestrial paradise in comparison to either.

The _Earth shine_ might illuminate the light side of the Moon a little during the long night, but for any practical advantage towards heat or life, it would be perfectly useless!" "But there is another serious difference between the two sides," said Barbican, "in addition to those enumerated.

The dark side is actually more troubled with excessive variations of temperature than the light one." "That assertion of our worthy President," interrupted Ardan, "with all possible respect for his superior knowledge, I am disposed to question." "It's as clear as day!" said Barbican.
"As clear as mud, you mean, Mr.President;" interrupted Ardan, "the temperature of the light side is excited by two objects at the same time, the Earth and the Sun, whereas--" -- "I beg your pardon, Ardan--" said Barbican.
-- "Granted, dear boy--granted with the utmost pleasure!" interrupted the Frenchman.
"I shall probably have to direct my observations altogether to you, Captain," continued Barbican; "friend Michael interrupts me so often that I'm afraid he can hardly understand my remarks." "I always admired your candor, Barbican," said Ardan; "it's a noble quality, a grand quality!" "Don't mention it," replied Barbican, turning towards M'Nicholl, still in the dark, and addressing him exclusively; "You see, my dear Captain, the period at which the Moon's invisible side receives at once its light and heat is exactly the period of her _conjunction_, that is to say, when she is lying between the Earth and the Sun.

In comparison therefore with the place which she had occupied at her _opposition_, or when her visible side was fully illuminated, she is nearer to the Sun by double her distance from the Earth, or nearly 480 thousand miles.

Therefore, my dear Captain, you can see how when the invisible side of the Moon is turned towards the Sun, she is nearly half a million of miles nearer to him than she had been before.