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Astronomical observatories -- Fiction Books
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Thomas Hardy
Two on a Tower
"Two on a Tower" by Thomas Hardy is a novel published in 1882. Set in Victorian Dorset, it tells the story of Lady Constantine, an unhappily married aristocrat who falls in love with Swithin St. Cleeve, an astronomer ten years younger. Their forbidden romance unfolds against the vast backdrop of the stellar universe, exploring themes of class divide, age difference, and scientific fascination. Hardy sets their emotional lives against the immensity of the cosmos in this controversial tale that defied Victorian social norms.
Jack Williamson
The prince of space
"The Prince of Space" by Jack Williamson is a science fiction novel written in the early 20th century. The story unfolds in the year 2131, centering around a notorious interplanetary outlaw known as "The Prince of Space," who is suspected of a horrific act involving the sunship "Helicon" and its passengers. Through the eyes of the determined reporter William Windsor, readers are introduced to a futuristic world with advanced technology and the impending danger from intelligent life on Mars. At the start of the narrative, a chilling report reveals that the ship "Helicon" has been found adrift, its crew and passengers brutally killed—an act believed to be committed by the infamous Prince of Space. Windsor's journey begins as he seeks to uncover the truth behind the Prince and the recent crime while navigating the bustling metropolis of New York. He soon meets the enigmatic Mr. Cain, who offers him a chance to learn more about an astronomical observatory atop Trainor's Tower. As the opening portion progresses, a deeper mystery unfolds involving a potential Martian invasion and the secrets that lie within the red planet. With a mix of adventure, intrigue, and ethereal science fiction elements, the stage is set for an epic confrontation between humanity and alien forces.
Joseph Farrell
Black-out
"Black-out" by Joseph Farrell is a science fiction story published in the early 1940s, originally featured in the magazine "Planet Stories". The narrative explores themes of desperation and the search for salvation amid the decline of a dying civilization on Mars. Through the eyes of Thak, the last astronomer of Mars, the story delves into the hope of contacting intelligent life on Earth, which represents the last glimmer of hope for his race. The storyline centers around Thak and his students as they construct a new telescope to observe signals from Earth. Thak believes that the lights he has seen on Earth are evidence of intelligent civilization, capable of providing the knowledge and guidance needed to save the remnants of Martian society. However, as they finally focus the telescope on the blue planet, despair overwhelms Thak when he realizes that the lights are disappearing one by one, indicating a catastrophic blackout that hints at the extinction of life on both Mars and Earth. The story effectively captures the longing for connection and the tragic inevitability of loss as two worlds face extinction.
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