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
The Black Cloud Page 25