"The systems of similar stars were usually very much alike - especially where it came to the spacing of planets.'" (p. 33)
We now know that this is not the case in our universe.
"Man had found several other species which had developed interstellar travel on their own, and there was no reason to suppose he'd found them all." (ibid.)
A very great deal has happened since the earliest days of interstellar exploration. Meanwhile, the Nomads, founded in "Gypsy," have continued to travel - we will hear more from them later - and they must have adopted the faster means of interstellar travel that has clearly been discovered since the earliest voyages of the Traveler.
If the Psychotechnic History is collected in two omnibus volumes, then "Gypsy" should be the last instalment in Volume I. It is not part of the later period of faster interstellar travel that begins with "Star Ship." The Chronology, if retained, requires major revision.
5 comments:
Yup, Poul was working from a "sample of one" about planetary systems.
We know more -- but there are still big gaps in our knowledge.
Eg., we've only recently been able to detect planets anywhere near as small as Earth, and we're only now getting with reach of being able to analyze their atmospheres.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
The James Webb telescope, built in space, has been a big help in that, I'm sure! And I hope planets will soon be found with very terrestroid atmospheres and gravities.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean: yes, the Webb should be able to spectroscopic analysis of atmospheres. A great age!
The highly divergent patterns of planetary systems means:
a) we really don't understand the mechanisms of planetary formation in any detail yet; and
b) chaotic effects are probably important, such that really minor variations in initial conditions produce grossly different outcomes.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
I agree, and I wish Poul Anderson ccould have lived to see the Webb telescope. He would have been 97 this year--a not too impossible age for some people to reach!
Ad astra! Sean
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