The Black Cloud

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The Black Cloud Page 25

by Fred Hoyle; Fred Hoyle


  Ever since I first read this book, a phrase from it has haunted me: ‘the Deep Problems’. These are the problems in science that we do not understand, perhaps can never understand, either because of the limitations of our evolved minds or because they are in principle insoluble. How did the universe begin, and how will it end? Can something come from nothing? Whence the laws of physics? Why do the fundamental constants have the particular values that they do? What about other questions that are so far beyond us that we cannot even ask, let alone answer them? The idea of the Deep Problems, and the possibility that they might be understood by a superior intelligence but not by us, is humbling, but humbling in a way that is at the same time uplifting. It is also challenging.

  The tragic ending of the novel is moving and deeply thought-provoking at the same time. It is followed by a gentle epilogue – again the contemplation by the log fire – which pulls the threads together and leaves us on a high. The last words leave us exhilarated, even stunned, as we look back on this astonishing novel: ‘Do we want to remain big people in a tiny world or to become a little people in a vaster world? This is the ultimate climax towards which I have directed my narrative.’

  *The details of Weichart’s remarks and work while at the blackboard were as follows: Write α for the present angular diameter of the cloud, measured in radians,

  d for the linear diameter of the cloud,

  D for its distance away from us,

  V for its velocity of approach,

  T for the time required for it to reach the solar system.

  To make a start, evidently we have α = d/D

  Differentiate this equation with respect to time t and we get

  But so that we can write

  Also we have Hence we can get rid of V, arriving at

  This is turning out easier than I thought. Here’s the answer already

  The last step is to approximate by finite intervals, , where Δt = 1 month corresponding to the time difference between Dr Jensen’s two plates; and from what Dr Marlowe has estimated Δα is about 5 per cent of α, i.e Therefore T = 20Δt = 20 months.

  Table of Contents

  Cover

  About the Author

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Contents

  Preface

  Prologue

  The Black Cloud

  Opening Scenes

  A Meeting in London

  Californian Scene

  Multifarious Activities

  Nortonstowe

  The Cloud Approaches

  Arrival

  Change For the Better

  Close Reasoning

  Communication Established

  The Hydrogen Rockets

  News of Departure

  Conclusion

  Epilogue

  Afterword

  Footnote

  Opening Scenes

  Page 18

 

 

 


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