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A Visit to the Moon
月球之旅
Last month I was lucky enough to have a chance to make a trip into space with my friend Li Yanping, an astronomer.
上個月我有幸得到一個機會同我的朋友李彥平，一位宇航員，一起去太空旅行。
We visited the moon in our spaceship!
我們乘宇宙飛船參觀了月球。
Before we left, Li Yanping explained to me that the force of gravity would change three times on our journey and that the first change would be the most powerful.
在啟程以前，李彥平向我解釋說，在我們的航行中會有三次引力的改變，而第一次的改變將是最強的。
Then we were off.
隨后我們就起航了。
As the rocket rose into the air, we were pushed back into our seats because we were trying to escape the pull of the earth's gravity.
隨著火箭徐徐升空，我們被重重地向后推在座位上，因為我們正慢慢逃離地球的引力。
It was so hard that we could not say anything to each other.
但這種引力太強了，以至于我們彼此間都不能說話了。
Gradually the weight lessened and I was able to talk to him.
隨后，這個力量慢慢減小，我才能夠同他講話。
"Why is the spaceship not falling back to the earth?
我問道：“為什么太空船不會向后朝地球的方向落下去呢？
On the earth if I fall from a tree I will fall to the ground." I asked.
在地球上的時候，如果我從書上掉下來，總會朝地上落下去的。”
"We are too far from the earth now to feel its pull," he explained, "so we feel as if there is no gravity at all.
李彥平解釋說：“現(xiàn)在我們離地球太遠了，感覺不到地球的拉力，所以我們好像一點兒也感覺不到地球引力了。
When we get closer to the moon, we shall feel its gravity pulling us, but it will not be as strong a pull as the earth's."
當我們更接近月球時，就會感到月球的引力在拉我們。但是，月球的引力不像地球的引力那么大。”
I cheered up immediately and floated weightlessly around in our spaceship cabin watching the earth become smaller and the moon larger.
我立刻感到很高興，由于失重我在太空艙里飄來飄去，我望著（身后的）地球越來越小，而（前方的）月球越來越大。
When we got there, I wanted to explore immediately.
我們到達月球時，我就想立即進行探測。
"Come on," I said.
“來吧，”我說。
"If you are right, my mass will be less than on the earth because the moon is smaller and I will be able to move more freely.
“要是你講得對，我的重量就會比地球小，因為月球要更小一些。而我就能夠更自由地活動了。
I might even grow taller if I stay here long enough.
如果我在月球上呆的時間足夠長的話，我甚至可能長得更高，。
I shall certainly weigh less!"
我的體重肯定也會變得更輕！”
I laughed and climbed down the steps from the spaceship.
我笑著從火箭的階梯上爬下來。
But when I tried to step forward,
而當我試著向前邁步的時候，
I found I was carried twice as far as on the earth and fell over.
我發(fā)覺我被送出去很遠，步子的跨度竟然是在地球上的兩倍，因而我摔倒了。
"Oh dear," I cried,
“天哪，”我大聲說，
"walking does need a bit of practice now that gravity has changed."
“重力改變了，看來走路也的確需要練一練了。”
After a while I got the hang of it and we began to enjoy ourselves.
過了一會兒，我才掌握了走路的訣竅，這才開始感到自如了。
Leaving the moon's gravity was not as painful as leaving the earth's.
擺脫月球引力不想擺脫地球引力那樣痛苦。
But returning to the earth was very frightening.
但是返回到地球的經(jīng)歷卻是非常嚇人的。
We watched, amazed as fire broke out on the outside of the spaceship as the earth's gravity increased.
我們驚奇地看著，宇宙飛船的外層燃燒起火，因為地球引力在逐漸增加。
Again we were pushed hard into our seats as we came back to land.
當我們回到地面時，我們又感到被重重地推到在座位上。
"That was very exhausting but very exciting too," I said.
我說道：“真是精疲力竭了，但也很激動人心。
"Now I know much more about gravity!
關(guān)于引力，我現(xiàn)在就懂得更多了。
Do you think we could visit some stars next time?"
你認為下次我們可以上星球上去參觀嗎？”
"Of course," he smiled,
“當然可以，”他笑著說，
"which star would you like to go to?"
“你想到那顆星球上去呢？”
