Realm of Science October 20th 1912

Abstract

First Paragraph: The editor has an article under the title "Why Is the Moon!" in St. Michael's Almanac for 1913. Its object is to show the great benefits conferred upon the earth by our moon. After mentioning the amount, quality and duration of its light, he calls attention to the moon's action in raising the useful tides that our seaports have. He next proves that in regard to these tides, and especially in regard to total eclipses of the sun, our moon is altogether unique in the solar system, that it is rather a companion to the earth than a satellite, and finally that the harmonious combination of the moon's size, distance, mass, density, length of month, duration of visibility, phases, quality of light, tide-raising power and faculty of eclipsing the sun totally, has no counterpart in the solar system, is of the greatest benefit to our welfare, and is another proof amongst others of the supervision of a kind and omniscient Providence.