about four in the morning
But the projectile was now describing in the shadow that incalculable course which no sight-mark would allow them to ascertain . Had its direction been altered , either by the influence of the lunar attraction , or by the action of some unknown star ? Barbicane could not say . But a change had taken place in the relative position of the vehicle ; and Barbicane verified it about four in the morning . The change consisted in this , that the base of the projectile had turned toward the moon 's surface , and was so held by a perpendicular passing through its axis . The attraction , that is to say the weight , had brought about this alteration . The heaviest part of the projectile inclined toward the invisible disc as if it would fall upon it .