William Herschel explains his reasoning for believing the moon is inhabited.

Date
Jun 12, 1780
Type
Letter
Source
William Herschel
Non-LDS
Hearsay
Direct
Reprint
Reference

William Herschel, Letter, 1780, rep. The Scientific Papers of Sir William Herschel (London: Royal Society, 1912), 1:xc

Scribe/Publisher
Royal Society
People
William Herschel
Audience
Reverend Dr. Maskelyne
Transcription

I beg leave to observe Sir, that my saying there is almost an absolute certainty of the Moon's being inhabited, may perhaps be ascribed to a certain Enthusiasm which an observer, but young in the Science of Astronomy can hardly divest himself of when he sees such wonders before him; And if you will promise not to call me a Lunatic I will transcribe a passage (from a series of observations on the Moon of a different nature I begun about 18 months ago) which will shew my real sentiments on the subject.

. . .

For instance, seeing that our Earth is inhabited and comparing the Moon with this planet: finding that in such a satellite there is a provision of light and heat: also, in all appearance a soil proper for habitation full as good as ours, if not perhaps better—who can say that it is not extremely probable, nay beyond doubt , that there must be inhabitants on the Moon of some kind or other? Moreover it is perhaps not altogether so certain that the moon is out of the reach of observation in this respect. I hope, and am convinced, that some time or other very evident signs of life will be discovered on the moon.”

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