Scotts experience on the moon in Waliking on the Moon by David R. Scott :: essays research papers

Scott's experience on the moon in "Waliking on the Moon" by David R. Scott â€Å"WALKING ON THE MOON† by David R. Scott, an American astronaut, is an account of his experiences on moon which he has narrated by the use of figurative language. He has described each aspect with deep detail in order to portray the moon which is merely seen afar. He has employed various techniques to describe the moon and to make his experiences comprehendible to all and sundry. HE compares, every now and then, his experiences on the moon with the earth. Scott, with his companions in Endeavour, made twelve revolutions around the moon. It took them, two hours to complete one revolution which they did in one hour of illumination and one of darkness. He beautifully describes the darker part of the moon which was suffused with â€Å"earth shine†. The light which the moon received from earth was much intense and bright than the moon light visible from earth. Therefore, they could easily view the mountains and the craters in the earth light. Stars embellished the sky, ahead and above them, with their â€Å"icy fire† and an â€Å"arc of impenetrable darkness blotted the firmament†. Then at dawn â€Å"barely discernible streamers of light† gradually illuminated the moon. Then within a second the sun scattered its intense light and brightened everything and â€Å"dazzled† their eyes. In the â€Å"lunar morning† the surface of the moon appeared to be of â€Å"milk chocolate colour† The pointed shadows highlighted the hills and craters. The writer delineates the changes in colour. As the sun rouse higher and higher the colour of mountains became gray and the shadows reduced in size. The writer describes the moon as an â€Å"arid world†. The lunar day and night continued till 355 earth hours. The moon seemed to be preserved in the time of its creation. Craters formed by the striking of meteorites, millions of years ago, were conspicuous. As the writer saw at the dark sky he caught a glimpse of the earth gleaming in space, â€Å"all blue and white, sea and clouds.† The earth looked brightly lit in the cold and limitless emptiness of space. Scott surveyed and photographed the moon. On the moon there were â€Å"incredible variety of landforms.† The lunar mountains stood in â€Å"noble splendor†. There were ridges and mountains 11000 feet high. The canyons and gorges were more than one thousand d feet deep.