The Moon: considered as a planet, a world, and a satellite.

A scientific survey examines lunar origins, internal heat generation, and subsequent cooling to argue how contraction and volcanic activity shaped craters, ridges, and plains. It assesses mass, size, density, and the lack of any substantial atmosphere or surface water, then describes observational methods and detailed topography, including measurements, maps, and high-resolution illustrations produced by model-making and photography. The authors connect surface features to general cosmogonic hypotheses, evaluate habitability under lunar conditions, and conclude with reflections on the moon’s role as a satellite and its effects upon Earth.