eight o'clock
at night
Barbicane could even prove , by the elevations which served as landmarks upon the moon , which was only two thousand leagues distant , that its speed was becoming uniform -- fresh proof that there was no fall . Its impulsive force still prevailed over the lunar attraction , but the projectile 's course was certainly bringing it nearer to the moon , and they might hope that at a nearer point the weight , predominating , would cause a decided fall . The three friends , having nothing better to do , continued their observations ; but they could not yet determine the topographical position of the satellite ; every relief was leveled under the reflection of the solar rays . They watched thus through the side windows until eight o'clock at night . The moon had grown so large in their eyes that it filled half of the firmament . The sun on one side , and the orb of night on the other , flooded the projectile with light . At that moment Barbicane thought he could estimate the distance which separated them from their aim at no more than 700 leagues .