Menzel Disputes Theory Of Soviet Astronomers

Donald H. Menzel, Paine Professor of Practical Astronomy, yesterday flatly contradicted the theory that the back side of the moon is smoother than the front.

Blaming the "smooth surface" theory on the lack of fine detail in the Lunik photograph, Menzel maintains that topographical features indicate the far side is "rougher, if anything."

For evidence he cites the white area surrounding the black "Moscow Sea," observing that on the front side similar shading has usually marked rough areas.

Soviets Disagree

A different theory is attributed to a prominent Soviet scientist, who feels that "the unseen side of the moon is considerably more monotonous than the side turned towards the earth." Several American astronomers share this opinion, which stems from a speculation that the earth's gravitational pull has distorted the near side.

In spite of the surface controversy, he complimented the photograph as "remarkably good." Students in Menzel's freshman seminar have verified the photograph's authenticity by examining its edges for known landmarks made visible by slight aberrations in the moon's orbit. He obtained the picture from the Associated Press.

Menzel stressed the need for more research money if the United States is to duplicate the Soviet feat. He did not care to predict the date of a successful American moon circuit, adding, "I only wish I knew." Lunik is now in orbit around the earth.