USS Kepler Dawn
Page 27
Acknowledgments
My wife, JoAnn Summers, has been an invaluable supporter. She has helped at every stage with all of my books, which now number seven. This book is dedicated to her and to all my friends who have put up with me for so long.
Ken Magrini, PhD is a Doctor of Material Science who has provided invaluable advice on many aspects of the story. If the metallic hydrogen alloy mentioned is ever fully developed, it will be because of him.
Terry Feuerborn, PhD in English has provided literary advice all along, sometimes to my great chagrin.
Dr. Carl Hansen from Sonoma, California has likewise provided advice and assistance both on writing and on navigation problems.
John Garrett, an assistant with Palomar Observatory and a member of the Temecula Astronomy Club has provided valuable commentary and confirmation of celestial distance calculations.
Of some interest is a small problem I inadvertently created when I requested a joint analysis by Dr. Hansen and John Garrett, one confirming the other, on how far it might be from Kepler 186f to Trappist-1. Not being a mathematician, it was necessary for me to seek assistance from those with expertise in triangulation and celestial navigation.
Unfortunately, when I sent them my request, I interchanged the designations for Kepler 186f to Kepler 138f in one of my emails. This caused them each to check different distances from Earth to Kepler 186f for one side of the triangle. The entire calculation was thereby confused. How embarrassing was that? I had fouled up calculations by two eminent scientists who then had to scramble to figure it all out. Fortunately, their dogged determination to get it right saved the day. I apologized for my mistake and held my head in my hands the remainder of the day.
This is what happens when care is not taken on simple things and why serious scientists never give up until they have solved every problem involved.
Sorry guys.
End, and the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of Andy and Miki Kelso on the great ship “Kepler Dawn.”
* The Roanoke Island colony established in 1587 in what is now North Carolina was found deserted in 1590. The fate of the 100 colonists has never been determined.
** www.andersoninstitute.com/alcubierre-warp-drive.html
*** “Lost the plot,” is a commonly used phrase of British origin meaning a person who has become insane.
Kepler Dawn is the author’s eighth novel, which include three western novels, two mystery science fiction stories, and two versions of a World War II Battle of Britain love story. To see all of the author’s books, go to:
www.Amazon.com/Geraldlanesummers.html
Books by this author.
Mobley Meadows novels
Mobley's Law
Curses
Ben Colder police detective novels
The ACCIDENTAL COP
The Scent of a Red Candle
Billy Brand and The Countess
USS Kepler Dawn