The Star, by H G Wells
Paul Lawley-Jones・21 minutes read
A new planet, mistaken for a star, causes global chaos and destruction on Earth due to its proximity, leading to devastating natural disasters and extreme weather changes. Despite warnings and predictions of disasters, the majority of people continue with their daily routines as the world faces widespread devastation and rebuilding in the aftermath.
Insights
- Initial announcement about erratic motion of Neptune led to public ignorance due to lack of awareness about the planet's existence.
- Global reaction to the new star, initially feared as a sign of doom, culminated in widespread devastation from natural disasters, with only a few heeding warnings of potential dangers.
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Recent questions
What caused the initial excitement among scientists regarding a new bright body near Neptune?
The initial excitement among scientists was sparked by the discovery of a new bright body near Neptune, which was observed by three observatories. This discovery led to speculation and interest in the scientific community, as it hinted at the possibility of a new celestial object in the solar system.
How did the public react to the announcement of a new star moving towards the sun?
Initially, the public showed a lack of interest in the announcement of a new star moving towards the sun due to their ignorance about Neptune's existence. However, as the star's brightness and size intensified, causing widespread awe and fear, people around the world began to interpret it as a sign of impending doom. This led to various reactions and actions taken by individuals in response to the perceived threat.
What were the predictions made by the master mathematician regarding Jupiter's orbit?
The master mathematician predicted that Jupiter would be deflected from its orbit due to the growing attraction between Jupiter and the sun. This deflection was believed to have the potential to cause disasters on Earth, such as earthquakes, volcanic outbreaks, and floods. Despite these warnings, most people continued with their daily routines, with only a few reacting to the impending danger.
How did the world react to the star's approach and its effects on Earth?
The world reacted with global anticipation and observation as the star, mistaken for a comet, grew larger and brighter, causing extreme weather changes and natural disasters worldwide. The star's proximity led to devastating floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, resulting in widespread destruction. As the star passed by Earth, it caused intense rain, mudslides, and further destruction before receding, leaving behind continued earthquakes and extreme heat.
What was the conclusion of the story regarding the Martian astronomers' perspective on Earth's events?
The story concludes with a mention of the Martian astronomers observing the events from Mars and noting the minimal damage to Earth from their perspective. Despite the widespread destruction and natural disasters caused by the passing star, the Martian astronomers observed the events with a sense of detachment, highlighting the vastness of the universe and the differing perspectives of celestial bodies on cosmic events.
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Summary
00:00
"Neptune's Erratic Motion Sparks Global Fear"
- Announcement made on the first day of the new year from three observatories about erratic motion of Neptune, the outermost planet.
- Initial lack of interest from the public due to ignorance about Neptune's existence.
- Discovery of a new bright body near Neptune, causing excitement among scientists.
- Description of the vast isolation of the solar system beyond Neptune.
- Appearance of a massive, bright new star moving rapidly towards the sun.
- Speculation in newspapers about a possible collision between the new planet and Neptune.
- Global anticipation and observation of the new star on the third day of the new year.
- Confirmation of the new star being a sister planet to Earth, identified as Neptune.
- Intensifying brightness and size of the new star, causing widespread awe and fear.
- Worldwide reaction to the new star, with people interpreting it as a sign of impending doom and taking various actions in response.
15:50
Impending Star Brings Worldwide Destruction and Rebuilding
- The planet Jupiter and its moons are moving around the sun, with the attraction between Jupiter and the sun growing stronger.
- The master mathematician predicts that Jupiter will be deflected from its orbit, causing potential disasters on Earth like earthquakes, volcanic outbreaks, and floods.
- Despite the impending danger, most people continue with their daily routines, with only a few reacting to the warnings.
- The star, mistaken for a comet, grows larger and brighter, causing extreme weather changes and natural disasters worldwide.
- The star's approach leads to devastating floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, with the world facing widespread destruction.
- The star's heat causes the snow and ice to melt rapidly, leading to massive flooding and destruction across the globe.
- The star's proximity causes the sun to appear larger and brighter, with the moon and star merging into one glare of flame in the sky.
- The star eventually passes by Earth, causing intense rain, mudslides, and further destruction before receding.
- Following the star's passing, the world faces continued earthquakes and extreme heat, with people slowly rebuilding their lives.
- The story concludes with a mention of the Martian astronomers observing the events from Mars, noting the minimal damage to Earth from their perspective.
