David Falkayn's discovery that the nebula which condensed into Beta Centauri slowed down by friction and captured a system of rogue planets inspired the Lemminkainenian search that discovered a rogue planet falling toward Beta Crucis.
Falkayn's inquiry with the Serendipity computer disclosed the industrial value of a rogue falling past Beta Crucis.
Falkayn hypothesized, sought and discovered the even more valuable planet, Mirkheim.
These are his specifically astronomical achievements, Polesotechnic League equivalents of discovering a new oil field or gold mine.
7 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
And both were enormously useful discoveries. Satan as a very useful site for industrial operations too dangerous or costly elsewhere; Mirkheim as a priceless source of raw materials.
And might things like this some day happen in REALITY? I hope so!
Ad astra! Sean
Human ingenuity is what transforms curiosities into raw materials.
The iron ore of northern Labrador wasn't a "resource" until recently. And the Bakken Shale was just a geological oddity until someone came up with fracking.
This is why "static analysis" theories like "peak oil" are such fatuous nonsense.
That theory started doing the rounds about 30 years ago, and known oil reserves now are -larger- than they were then, despite enormous consumption.
It's become obvious that most of the oil (and coal) we've got will never be used, at least not as fuel.
Modern survey methods have shown that Botswana alone has 217 -billion- tons of recoverable coal, for instance.
Falkayn's earlier career also involved Beta Centauri. In "A Sun Invisible" he discovers several worlds that exist in what he considers to be an almost impossible habitable zone around this giant star. The Kraokans as well as humans inhabit these, with Neuheim being a sort of lost colony. I believe these started as a clutch of rogue worlds that were seized by the giant star as they passed through. An interesting tale. with some tongue-in-cheek dialogue and fun twists. I like how Satan's World incorporates a similar concept but takes it on a completely different pathway.
~Scott
Kaor, Mr. Stirling and Paul!
Mr. Stirling: I remember that "static analysis" nonsense. I think it goes back even longer ago, to the 1970's, when people were howling about how we were running out of oil.
I am glad we still have so much oil and coal, but I hope they can be replaced fairly soon by nuclear power. We have better uses for oil than burning it!
Scott: Good to see another comment from you. Well, the Neuheim colony was founded by political malcontents who wanted to stay "lost" till they were ready to strike. I basically agree with your comments about "A Sun Invisible."
Ad astra! Sean
Oops! I meant "Kaor, Mr. Stirling and SCOTT!"
Sean
Sean: yup, oil is a very valuable chemical feedstock. Tho' the problem with burning it is the byproducts!
Incidentally, China's coal production (and consumption) reached an all-time high in November of 2021; they're now burning over half the planetary consumption.
With a politician's promise and a couple of bucks, you can get a coffee and a donut, as the old saying goes.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
Exactly what I had in mind, oil is better used for other things, like chemical feedstocks.
NOT in the least surprised that China is burning so much brown coal. Or that Peking is to blame for more than half the resulting pollution. Which kinda puts into perspective how much better the UK and US are doing, by comparison!
Ad astra! Sean
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