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Then came the news. A system that had been surveyed by the automated probe was going to be worth a closer look! The probe had been programmed to return to pre-arranged points to report findings back to its parent ship. System sixty-one was a G-type star with a number of planets including an Earth sized one in the heart of the goldilocks zone.
The planet in the habitable zone appeared to have breathable air and free water and Ellen, having reviewed the initial data, decided to divert the ship to the system in question, reprogramming the probe to take over the Einstein’s original survey route.
Einstein dropped out of warp on the very edge of the system taking no chances of another meteorite swarm or an Oort cloud in the wrong place. Safely on the edge of the system and with sensors on full alert the ship eased its way inwards on half power.
The system had seven planets with three gas giants further out from the primary than Jupiter and its closest companions. There was a much larger gap in the system than that seen back in Sol with no apparent asteroid belt.
“You have to wonder what happened to the planet you might have expected to find in that gap.” Ellen and John were discussing the data being collected.
“It does seem odd. The asteroid belt was often perceived as having been a planet that never formed or a planet destroyed even though there was no evidence of the latter. How our understanding of the solar system’s structure might have worked without the belt is an interesting question.”
As they moved closer towards their target the incoming data from the leading probe increased the positive news. A mix of land masses, extensive water, good oxygen/nitrogen mix in the air and no apparent negative elements. There were also some early indications of lifeforms both on land and in the water but no sign of any advanced civilisation.
Interestingly there were also two moons in orbit, both of sizes much like Deimos and Phobos.
“There was no sign of these in the original probe data, I wonder why?” Ellen thinking aloud before then asking the same question of Alejandro. His answer was not what she expected.
“The probe did see one moon but not the other. I don’t know why but I have got the team working on that difference in data. There must be a reason and we need to understand it. As soon as we have an answer you will.”
The lead probe continued to feed readings back focussing on the two moons and their motions relative to the planet. With the live data flowing in, the astronomy team worked like beavers to complete projections of the full orbits. Not forgetting the fact that one moon was apparently missing from the original data they double checked all the figures.
As their course took them close to one of the gas giants a separate probe was despatched on a close flyby orbiting the planet and its numerous moons. The data received as it skimmed the atmosphere was surprising.
Rather than predominantly hydrogen and helium there was a significant proportion of nitrogen, in fact the data indicated that more than 75% of the gasses at the top of the planet’s atmosphere were of that element or nitrous oxide. The astronomy team were left bemused by a breakdown of the upper atmosphere which did not appear to obey the usual rules. It was only data obtained as the probe swung past the other side of the planet that suggested a reason for the inconsistency. Despite the size of the planet indicating a gas giant the atmosphere was less deep than normal. The solid core appeared to be huge, perhaps ten times as big as expected and was covered by liquid seas apparently a mix of water and acidic compounds several thousand metres thick.
“Now we understand how nitrogen could be so high in the atmosphere.” Alejandro explained. “The atmosphere itself is surprisingly shallow.”
More time passed and the Einstein closed into a distant orbit further out than the moons. At which point there was a further discrepancy in the data. To their surprise the second moon was missing.
“I don’t understand, Alejandro. First, we have one moon, then we have two moons. Now we have only one moon?”
“I wish I knew, Ellen. We are trying to work out why.”
With the planet’s biosphere ticking all the right boxes, two landers were dispatched, one to fly low over the land while the second remained at altitude providing aerial protection.
Their initial mission proved that everything about the planet was as positive as could be hoped for and finally they were given clearance to land and collect samples of soil and water. Dropping down to land on one of the beaches it took just a little time for the teams to collect the samples plus a couple of fish found in the shallows. Finished they returned to their mother ship without mishap.
Ellen sat in her command seat almost holding her breath as did the rest of the bridge team. Finally, the news came in. Everything about the samples said that this was the Eden they had been searching for.
With spirits rising and plans already being made to choose landing sites the sudden warning that all was not well came as a shock. Ellen was forced to call a meeting of her senior team and the various heads of research. She began.
“In summary, all the initial research shows that the planet is suitable for us to settle on. There are no obvious dangers though we should always take precautions against the unknown. Now I am being told there is a significant danger to the planet. One that we cannot ignore. Alejandro, what is our problem?”
Alejandro looked downright miserable. “You know that the original data provided by the probe only showed one moon. The second probe found two moons. But when the ship arrived into orbit there was, again, only one moon and it was not the first moon but the second. I am sorry to say that we now understand why. In simple terms the first probe only saw one moon because there was only one moon to see. The second moon was seen at a specific part of the combined orbital structure of the planet and two moons.”
Scott was astounded. “Are you saying that one moon was invisible? Or not there?”
“In a sense, it was not there. I admit I am struggling to understand the orbital mechanics of the planet and its moons but the analysis is definitive. Neither moon is in a stable orbit. In astronomical terms one or the other must be a recent capture by the planet. The trouble is that it has affected the orbit of what must have been the original moon such that both are now actually in orbits that are highly elliptical but also loop the planet in a circle before being slingshotted by the other to and from the planet. Again, this must have happened recently, perhaps as little as a thousand years ago.”
“But why does this cause us concern? Erratic tides? Or what?” John demanded.
“As I said the capture of the second moon must have happened recently, at least in astronomical terms. This situation is not stable in the long term. In fact, it isn’t even stable in the short term. One of my team has calculated that one of the moons will cross the planet’s Roche boundary possibly within the next decade. For sure within a century.”
“Roche boundary?” Ellen asked.
“The Roche limit is that point at which a satellite will break up under the gravitational stresses caused as it closes with its primary.”
“How would that affect the planet? And the other moon?” John now looked worried as he posed his questions.
“The moon would at best break into smaller pieces forming a ring or rings. There would be significant meteor impacts. We don’t know how it would affect the second moon. There seem to be two possibilities. Firstly, if it is at perihelion it could easily break up as well. If it is at aphelion, we aren’t sure. We have never seen such a system so we are looking at theory. We have to warn you, though, that the worst-case scenario might see the second moon impact the planet in an ELE.”
“And this could happen at any time? Why now? Just as we arrive?” Ellen was struggling with what she was hearing and the disappointment that it seemed to ensure.
Alejandro looked no happier. “We don’t know. All we can say is that this will happen and probably in our lifetimes. If I had to give a reason, my best intuition is that the whole system is still relatively young and we know that the solar system in its youth suffered major calamities caused by planetary realignments. Remember one of the gas giants failed to match all that we believed was to be expected. Maybe this is just one of those events. A settlement would be at great risk and unlikely to have enough warning to escape the events we have forecast.”
Ellen closed things with a final statement. “I guess that we must look to move on. I think that that means we really should look for systems that appear to be older and possibly more stable. Back to the drawing board everyone.”
*** *** ***
AS THEY LEFT THE ROOM Alejandro called Ellen back.
“I thought you might like to know that the initial observations and deductions were the individual work of a certain Mr Grey. He has proven an invaluable addition to the team. Of course, we did check his work but it was wholly correct. I think that he was more disappointed than anyone but he may well have grown up in those few hours.”
“Tell him I am pleased to hear that he has found a spot where he can contribute and a well done.” Ellen may not have liked the message but to find that her earlier decision, on how to handle Paul Grey’s issues, had proven well founded was satisfying.
*** *** ***
AS THE SHIP SLOWLY moved out of orbit and away from the primary, Ellen found herself faced with a challenge from a group of people, led by a member of the support teams, who were unhappy at not being involved in the decision to abandon the system as unsafe.
“We know that you convinced Paul Grey that your earlier decisions were correct even if they were questionable. We don’t know how. This time it is clear that there was no reason to not land a settlement, all the data proved that the planet was a suitable place to settle. So, you tell us how you justify this decision. Why should you remain as Captain of the ship when your decisions have so clearly been wrong?”
If Ellen was shaken by such a challenge, and she was, she did not allow it to show in her answer. “Senor Parass, my job is to find a safe haven for the people on this ship, all the people, who may well be the only surviving human beings. We cannot be certain that the other starships will be successful, no matter how much we may pray that they are. As to me,” she continued, “I will remain as Captain as long as my fellow officers consider that I am fit and able to command them. If you consider that it is right to challenge those decisions, I would suggest you talk to the relevant areas of expertise whose experience and knowledge we all rely on for good advice. In particular talk to the astronomy team about this latest decision to move on and abandon the idea of settling the planet we have just left. If they had not identified the problem and I had cleared a landing, then based on our best understanding of planetary orbital mechanics I would have condemned you or your children or, at best, your grandchildren, to the risk of the entire settlement being wiped out by natural events over which we would have had no control.”
Senor Parass replied. “That is not enough. We should have been asked if we wanted to take this hypothetical risk. You can’t make such a decision without consulting the people on the ship. We should have been able to vote on it!”
At this point John Lees, who had been an onlooker for the most part, intervened. “Senor, I would have thought that with your experience in the Navy you would have been fully aware that no ship is a democracy. You ask the Captain to consult with everyone and then allow a vote. That is not how things work and I think you know that. What does happen is that the Captain consults with her senior officers and the various heads of department where their expertise is appropriate. In this latter case the lead advisors were the astronomy team. Having taken that advice and input into account the final decision must be that of the Captain, and frankly, Senor, I don’t envy Captain Bayman for one minute. She has a responsibility that few are capable of handling well and we should be extremely grateful that we have her as our Captain. Now take your group and think hard about how you can support her rather than undermining her. If you wish to have a briefing from the astronomy team on this last planet, or the biologists and medical teams on the previous decision please let me know and I will arrange it.”
It seemed for a minute as if Senor Parass might continue the argument but some of those who had accompanied him interrupted his intention to speak again. One young woman effectively ended matters, for the time being anyway, by saying. “Captain, Commander. Thank you for your time. It is clear now to me, and I feel others here, that our complaints are inappropriate or at least that we should reconsider how we might feel better informed in the future. Despite this meeting and those challenges voiced by our colleague, I believe that we can concur fully with the Commander’s comments as to the responsibilities of the Captain. It would be good if we could meet with the astronomy team so that we can better understand why the risks were considered too high.”
John answered. “I will arrange for them to contact you, Senorita. We will ensure that any presentation is made available to all on the ship who may wish to participate. Now if we can move on, please. The Captain has been on duty continually for almost sixteen hours and needs some food and rest.”
*** *** ***
THE PRESENTATION DID take place and, for the time being, the majority seemed to accept that the Captain and her crew were acting in their best interests. In private though, Ellen and John both agreed that they would need to keep a watch on things especially if finding a potential planet should be delayed.
*** *** ***
THE EINSTEIN AND HER probes continued their journeys, criss-crossing the star cluster with little success.
That was not to say that there were no new discoveries. Binary systems dominated, some with planets but none that could be identified as habitable. The most disturbing scene was a system that involved a binary pair of stars so close that their coronas were linked with stellar matter being exchanged depending on the orbital position.
The astronomers were quick to point out that such pairings were not that rare though they usually involved a larger star feeding off a smaller companion or in reverse, a smaller, often a neutron star extracting matter from a larger companion. For two stars similar in size to orbit so closely suggested that the crowded nature of the cluster was the cause.
Despite the disappointment of another planet not suitable for settlement, there remained optimism that a suitable home was only a matter of patience and time. As the months passed and no such planets were found that optimism lessened.
