In a short time, the Projectile and its contents would for a few moments be absolutely and completely deprived of all weight whatsoever.
The path described by the Projectile was evidently a line from the Earth to the Moon averaging somewhat less than 240,000 miles in length.
According as the distance between the Projectile and the Earth was increasing, the terrestrial attraction was diminishing in the ratio of the square of the distance, and the lunar attraction was augmenting in the same proportion.
As before observed, the point was not now far off where, the two attractions counteracting each other, the bullet would actually weigh nothing at all.

If the masses of the Earth and the Moon had been equal, this should evidently be found half way between the two bodies.

But by making allowance for the difference of the respective masses, it was easy to calculate that this point would be situated at the 9/10 of the total distance, or, in round numbers, at something less than 216,000 miles from the Earth.
At this point, a body that possessed no energy or principle of movement within itself, would remain forever, relatively motionless, suspended like Mahomet's coffin, being equally attracted by the two orbs and nothing impelling it in one direction rather than in the other.
Now the Projectile at this moment was nearing this point; if it reached it, what would be the consequence?
To this question three answers presented themselves, all possible under the circumstances, but very different in their results.
1.

Suppose the Projectile to possess velocity enough to pass the neutral point.

In such case, it would undoubtedly proceed onward to the Moon, being drawn thither by Lunar attraction.
2.