# The Temperature of Space explained — Round the Moon

> Chapter companion for Round the Moon by Jules Verne.

## What happens

The travelers discover their initial velocity was miscalculated by the Cambridge Observatory, but realize they are still ascending and not falling back to Earth. They discuss the nature of space, ether, and the possibility of lunar inhabitants. After burying the dog Satellite by ejecting him through a porthole, they regain confidence and plan their journey.

## Themes in this chapter

### Scientific Exploration and Discovery

The travelers confront a miscalculation in their trajectory, demonstrating the fallibility and iterative nature of scientific inquiry.

### The Sublime and the Unknown

The discussion of ether, the void of space, and the possibility of ancient Selenite civilizations evokes the awe and mystery of the cosmos.

## Character check-ins

### Impey Barbicane

Calculates their true trajectory, realizes they are not falling, and leads the burial of Satellite.

### Captain Nicholl

Verifies the miscalculation and deduces the initial velocity was higher than expected.

### Michel Ardan

Debates the nature of scientific figures, proposes bringing animals to the moon, and mourns Satellite's death.

### Diana

Barks for breakfast and is fed; her companion Satellite dies.

## Key lines

> If I am not mistaken, another Frenchman, M. Pouillet, estimates the temperature of space at 160° below zero. We shall be able to verify that.

Barbicane mentions Pouillet's estimate of space temperature and suggests they will test it.

_Highlights the scientific ambition to measure space conditions directly._

> No. It would be much better to compare. A billion signifies nothing. An object of comparison explains everything.

Michel argues that comparisons are more meaningful than raw numbers.

_Reflects Michel's preference for intuitive understanding over abstract figures._

> No! cried Barbicane in a few minutes’ time, 'we are not falling! We are already more than 50,000 leagues from the earth! We have passed the point the projectile ought to have stopped at if its speed had been only 11,000 metres at our departure! We are still ascending!'

Barbicane realizes they have not stopped but are still climbing, contradicting the earlier miscalculation.

_A turning point where the travelers regain hope after the error is discovered._

> Who says they have not done it?

Barbicane suggests that Selenites may have already launched a projectile to Earth in the distant past.

_Opens a speculative discussion about lunar civilization and its potential achievements._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/round_the_moon_se/chapters/v-the-temperature-of-space
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/round_the_moon_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/round_the_moon_se/chapters