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footmen in gray liveries.
– It is given the floor to professor sir Abraham Kinbruk! – loudly
Stormer who undertook duties of the chairman unusual announced
meetings.
The English astronomer, yet not the old, stout man similar in the
tail-coat suit on the diplomat, slowly rose, softly smiled and
threw a meeting an inquisitive look. For any audience, since
the international astronomical congresses and finishing aristocratic
salons, at it prepared different styles and methods of a statement
material. “It is necessary to be at loss for words on ears, – laughing, he said in a circle
friends. – Not any word will get into the ear aggravated by diamond
earrings”.
– Lady and gentlemen! – there began Kinbruk and made a pause, once again
checking mood of audience. – Responsibility of the task assigned on
us, forces to be especially careful. I frankly have to tell,
that our scientific knowledge about whether there can be a person on others
planets, are very incomplete, limited. My scientific colleagues assume,
that in solar system there are two planets available for
human existence, is Mars and Venus. Alas, I cannot
to divide with them this confidence. In comparison with our Earth the planet
Mars receives twice less light and heat. If you landed on
Mars, that Sun would seem to you rather small disk.
The Martian day would seem you twilight of Earth. You would suffer from
cold weather. Perhaps, you would pine from thirst because on Mars it is not enough
waters. In eternal cold you would wander about fruitless sandy deserts
continents and to hollows of the dried-up seas. However, I doubt that wandered
.You just would choke with a lack of oxygen. It there very much
it is not enough.
If you want to present even more clearly living conditions on Mars, I will bring
to you such example. The highest of the mountain tops, known on Earth, Everest
rises by eight thousand eight hundred eighty two meters. Ours
the English climbers, the best in the world, could reach only height
eight thousand six hundred four meters. Any expedition did not reach to
tops. Ice-covered steep slopes of mountains, furious mountain wind, a frost – everything was
it is overcome. But people receded before a lack of oxygen. They
choked. With the lowered atmosphere pressure blood went from ears. Everyone
the movement was torture.
As the person at height of two Everestov – has to feel on
to height of sixteen kilometers above sea level? Such mountains do not exist
on Earth. But tried to rise by similar height in open gondolas
stratosphere balloons. Brave aero navigators perished from suffocation already at height
to ten – twelve kilometers. On Mars air is as rarefied, as over
The earth at the height of sixteen kilometers. And there it is also cold. Even still
more cold. At disembarkation to Mars you would be expected by really terrible destiny.
– I do not fly to Mars! – resolutely lady Hinton told.
– There is Venus, – the astronomer continued. – Venus is located closer to
To the sun, than Earth. But on Venus, milords and the lady, absolutely not
oxygen…
– It still needs to be proved! – the second astronomer noticed, without lifting
heads.
– To my respectable colleague professor Dzhilber it will be provided
an opportunity to state the theories, – Kinbruk continued, having flashed points in
party of the opponent. – I claim: on the basis of the last scientific
data, are not found in the atmosphere of Venus also an oxygen trace. Anything, who
would dare to land on Venus, the destiny of a mouse under glass waits
cap from which air is extorted.
– Incorrect comparison. Even if on Venus there is also no oxygen, air
there nevertheless is, – Dzhilber did not restrain again.
– Ives that and in other case an outcome one – death from suffocation, – objected
Kinburk.
Lady Hinton removed a cup.
– I do not fly also to Venus.
– So. And other planets? – Stormer asked.
– About them out of the question. On Mercury you alive would burn down from
heats, other planets, on the contrary, are too cold; they are too far from
Sun, heat source.
– In a word, we have no place to land? – Stormer asked.
– Yes. In all solar system, in the whole Universe one Earth
it is adapted for human life.
– What will quite be coordinated with the Scripture! – the bishop exclaimed.
– In the Bible it is told that the Lord created Earth for dwelling
the person, and the Sun, the Moon and stars for lighting of Earth. I cannot
to assume that life could exist on other planets that on
them reasonable beings lived. It would bring chaos in all our
religious representations. Really god created not one Adam, but tens
and hundreds of thousands on different planets? And whether there was a fall on one
To the earth or and on other planets? And whether it was necessary to a God’s window
to reincarnate, descend repeatedly in an image of the person on different
planets to die and revive to expiate an original sin? Absurdity!
Heresy! If even on other planet we could also exist that
it is impossible whether we have the right to leave Earth? It is told in the Writing:
“The earth of an esa and to the earth of an otydesha”. To the earth, but not to some Mars! Ours
ashes have to be based in our earth!
– I will not treat anywhere! – lady Hinton declared.
Stormer impatiently fidgeted on a chair. This speech of the bishop could harmfully
to affect affairs of the company. Still professor Kinbruk spoiled business by the
performance. Who could expect such dirty trick? Once he paid! And
here still the bishop with the inappropriate sermon…
– You terminated, professor Kinbruk? It is given the floor to professor
To Dzhilber!
Dzhilber raised the face inclined over a table.
Gray-haired, old, with a big nose, the drooped moustaches and young people,
derisive eyes, the astronomer Dzhilber started talking unexpectedly thin
voice.
“Chirps as a canary!” – Amelie thought.
– “Platon to me the friend, but the truth is dearer!” – there began Dzhilber with Latin
proverbs. – At all my respect for the colleague, dear professor
To Kinbruk, I have to tell that he is not right. And it is not right twice. He spoke
about care, responsibility. We, scientists, have to have one
responsibility – before the truth. Care and courage – it is eternal
the conflicting sisters. But they are reconciled by strict mother – need. Not
whether professor Kinbruk believes that modern climate of Earth very much
promotes health and longevity of the ladies who gathered here and
gentlemen? Whether it finds that the terrestrial atmosphere now
is more favorable, than the atmosphere of Venus? Where the respectable society which gathered
at this table, risks to choke rather? As you can see, when will come
need, care forces to be courageous, forces to go
on risk.
But whether this risk is so high? Professor Kinbruk very much exaggerated. I
I do not dare to polemize with lord bishop. It, of course, is right that
to the Lord many efforts would increase if also other worlds were
are manned. But we and have enough efforts, and we will speak so far
only about them.
Stormer breathed a sigh of relief.
– Yes, I claim that Mr. Kinbruk exaggerated and sinned
against the truth. My respectable colleague missed one very important
circumstance – atmosphere density on planets. Our atmosphere
reflects more than a half of sunbeams in heavenly space. Mars
almost everything reflects them. Therefore temperature of Mars is much lower terrestrial,
what is confirmed by the last measurements and a certain size
polar ices of Mars. The atmosphere on Venus almost all beams of the Sun
rejects in heavenly space. Therefore temperature of Venus only
is a little higher, than on Earth. On Mars it is cold. But also on Earth is
cold places. Remember at least as saved once Byrd on Youzhny
pole. Saving groups made the way on catarpillars in ices
Antarctic at a frost in seventy one degrees. It is more, than in
to stratosphere. And anything. Were not afraid of a frost – saved lives. Oxygen on
Mars it is not enough. Without habit will breathe more difficult. But professor Kinbruk
did not tell about one – as losses of an organism will be considerably there
it is less. Because bodies weigh almost three times less there, than on Earth.
Mr. Pinch will easily lift one hand of the boss, respectable there
Mr. Stormer. You will feel extraordinary ease in the
body. During the walking, a raising of weights muscle work will be facilitated three times. And
means, and the need for oxygen will be less. For me is not subject
to doubt that on Mars there is vegetation. Means, can be and
animals and people, though, perhaps, and not similar to terrestrial.
– What they can be? – Amelie became interested.
– Hypothetically, proceeding from a planet environment, I can take on
courage to represent to you the Martian. As living beings
test on Mars “burden of Earth” three times smaller, it is possible that they
have also growth three times bigger. For the same reason and their muscles can
to be considerable smaller. Their legs and hands are thinner. Lack of oxygen
has to cause increase in volume of a thorax. Even at us on Earth,
as showed measurements, at inhabitants of high mountains the thorax is wider, than at
inhabitants of valleys. Mars is more ancient than Earth. Inhabitants of Mars therefore have to possess
more developed brain, and consequently, and the large volume of the head.
The lack of light has to cause increase in organs of vision. And at us
some deep-water fishes possess huge eyes. A sound in
the rarefied air extended worse. This circumstance
causes development of auditory organs.
– High, thin, with a barrel-shaped breast, the big head, huge
eyes and ears… Фи! – Amelie exclaimed.
– Everything in the world is conditional, Ms.! – Dzhilber answered. – Believe, as you,
even you, – it gallantly added, – it is probable, will not cause delight at
Martian Apollo. Yes! There is one more advantage of life on Mars,
which will be estimated especially by women. Year is almost twice longer there, than on
To the earth. And, having lived forty terrestrial years on the Martian account, you can on
to tell conscience that to you only twenty.
– And I will look twenty-year-old or forty-year-old?
– Here I find it difficult to tell it to you. I am afraid to upset, but I think that
forty-year-old. Though, maybe, and vital processes will proceed there
in a slowed-up way.
– I believe that on Mars it is not so bad. A little coldishly…
– But it is possible to live.
– Ellen! You laid a fur coat? – lady Hinton interrupted.
– And Martians will not kill us? – again asked Amelie. Lady Hinton already
glanced at it with displeasure.
– Will not kill. The biggest – will be put in the museum as rare
copies, – with a smile Dzhilber answered.
– As for Venus, – it continued, – I already told that: there not
such conditions, as on Earth. But climate, perhaps, not really pleasant. Not
I know whether fall by the Martian Adam, but on Venus was made
people, likely, strongly made angry god.
– Why you so think? – the bishop became interested.
– John Milton assures of the poem “The Lost and Returned Paradise”
lips of an angel that the axis of our Earth before Adam’s fall stood
perpendicularly to the plane of a terrestrial ecliptic and on Earth was all the year round
identical spring climate. The terrestrial axis was inclined in punishment for
fall of the first person, and climate of Earth worsened. And as
inclination of an axis of Venus bigger, than a terrestrial axis, it is necessary to make
conclusion that venerianets even more made angry god, than our primogenitors.
Venerable professor Kinbruk claims that on Venus it is perfect
there is no oxygen, and approves it on the ground that spectral
the analysis of traces of oxygen it is not revealed. It is incorrect. Physicist
The Michigan university by Artur Adel it was established that
concentration of carbon dioxide in only one upper atmosphere
Venus it is enormous in comparison with terrestrial. If there is a carbonic acid, then
there has to be also an oxygen. Venus has to be similar to a huge greenhouse, and
life on Venus, maybe, accepts especially violent and intensive
the forms surpassing what we have on Earth.
– And animals on Venus are? – asked Pinch.
– If there is an oxygen, moisture, warmly, then why not to be also an animal?
– What water on Venus? – the bishop asked. Dzhilber crafty
smiled:
– It depending on for what needs. In old times the father
Kirkher was interested whether water on Venus for commission of a ceremony is good
baptisms. Unfortunately, I cannot answer this question to you
in the affirmative. In all other relations, I believe, water nothing not
differs from terrestrial.
– I do not agree with my dear colleague, – without having asked permission at
the chairman, Kinbruk began to say. Stormer tried to stop it, but
the scientist did not stop. Fortunately, in the heat of a dispute Kinbruk forgot about audience
also began to pour the terminology clear to nobody, except devoted.
Between scientists the dispute erupted. Zander listening already with impatience
interfered:
– I would ask to give us rather your resolutory data. Venus, Mars
or neither that nor other planet?
– Whether and everything is equal to you? – Stormer who did not get used that asked
somebody interfered with conducting a meeting.
– By no means not all the same, – Zander answered. – If we fly to Venus,
the minimum initial speed of flight of the rocket has to be eleven
whole the four tenth kilometer per second; if to Mars – eleven
whole six tenth. Flight to Mars occupies not less than hundred ninety
two days, to Venus – ninety seven. All calculations depending on
it change.
– But I did not tell about the third opportunity, – Dzhilber told, – about
opportunities., anywhere not to land. If you really managed
to establish that circulation of substances about which told me dear
Leo Zander, and to these you would provide yourself food on vaguely long
term, it would be the best exit. You could install in the rocket
both climate of Riviera, and lighting according to your desire, even in each cabin
different – to tastes of inhabitants. You could make attempt to land
on the planet and to depart from there if life on it is unsuitable.
In a word, you would be masters of the situation and would not depend more on Earth
and sky.
This offer, probably, was pleasant to all.
Zander grinned and asked words. Stormer strictly looked at him
and solemnly proclaimed:
– It is given the floor to the engineer Zander.
– All this discussion, – there began the engineer, – with my point of view, it seems
overdue. You are going to fly in the most near future. You hurry
me with flying away. You hurry me with completion of work. What would be if
I would design the rocket suitable for flight to Venus, and to me would be
the task to fly to Mars or to soar in space without landing is given!
It is impossible to remake the rocket, it would be necessary to build new.
– But you put several types of the rocket?
– From a bookmark before construction not one month proceeds. In ready or
almost in finished form there is only one. And if you want to fly,
on it it is also necessary to make a trip.
Stormer flushed.
– In other words, – he told, – you, without us resolved an issue about
route and in compliance with it constructed the rocket?
– Anyhow I could arrive? Really you believe that I expected
at this meeting to meet something new to me? All mentioned
I was forced to study questions in the most attentive way still to
first drawing of the rocket. All latest astronomical literature, all
last achievements of astronomy. At last, your task – to be guided
to Venus.
– If so, then I do not understand why it was necessary to invite us, —
Kinbruk quite sharply told.
– Well, at least to tell future participants of flight
some data on astronomy, – with a smile were told by Zander. And not only
for this purpose. I cannot assume all responsibility. As if
we are circumspect were, whatever precautionary measures
undertook, our travel after all is risky.
Stormer angrily began to patter fingers on a table. That for tactless
person this Zander! It is good still that it is not heard by other participants
joint-stock company. It would frighten off them.
At the word “risk” of lady Hinton and Ellen made the involuntary movement.
Zander noticed it and immediately hurried to calm women.
– And trips in the train are accompanied by risk, – he noticed. – Not
I think that flight in the rocket represented big risk. But in a case
landings to the planet us, of course, expect many surprises. And I am very much
he is grateful to professor Kinbruk who informed you in advance about
some inconveniences existing on the specified planets. In
astronomical questions your authority will be believed, certainly, more,
than me.
– But where you land us, devil take it? Forgive, the milady, for
involuntary exclamation, – Stormer told.
All waited with breathless attention that Zander will tell.
– Anywhere. I believe that to us it is the more favorable and safest exactly anywhere
not to land.
– O… a ryzhok in anything? – Marshal with bitter irony which not asked
understood.
– And therefore I also tried to create such interplanetary ship, on
which there could be a circulation of substances. The rocket will have
greenhouse in five hundred meters of length which has to give us necessary
for food vegetable products and oxygen for breath.
– To eat one wild strawberry? – asked Amelie. – I agree.
– For fans to eat more densely we will take products of month on
rub, on five. If I manage to carry out completely the invention,
which I finish now, perhaps, these one three-months
terrestrial stocks, apart from a greenhouse, will be enough for us at least for two-three
ten terrestrial years.
– You believe that you in the rocket to us will be sufficient for saturation
homeopathic doses?
– I am not going to cut off a ration on one gram.
– Then, so you are going to repeat an evangelical miracle of saturation
five thousand people five fishes and three bread?
– Yes, if you want, a miracle.
– But in what it consists?
– In “extending” time in the rocket as rubber. While
in the rocket there will pass days, on Earth – months and, perhaps, years.
Round eyes of Stormer left orbits. That would be the last straw, that
Zander went balmy from mind!
– You, it seems., a little bit…
– Went crazy? – Zander facilitated Stormer’s task.
– I understand Mr. Zander, – Dzhilber told, rubbing the forehead. —
Means to slow down a current of time really exists. It
means – to accelerate the movement. But, Mr. Zander, to create
such difference between a current of time on Earth and in the rocket, are necessary
speeds close to velocity of light.
Zander nodded.
– I do not claim that I will manage to solve this problem, but, it seems to me,
I am close to its decision, – he told.
– Radiant energy? Radio waves? Intratomic energy? – threw
Zander’s questions.
– It is a secret so far, – he answered. – And if I manage to seize
really huge speeds, then we will be able to visit even not
on one planet and personally to be convinced whether life is possible on them.
– Still! – Kinbruk exclaimed, derisively smiling. – Flying with
velocity of light, you in one and a half seconds would fly by by the Moon, and eight with
a half of minutes would be enough for you to reach the Sun.
– Really, – Dzhilber started talking, – if you flew with
speed a little smaller, than the velocity of light, that time in the rocket
it would be slowed down in comparison with terrestrial. So far on our rocket will pass near
years, on Earth there can pass ten or even hundred years.
The conversation quickened. Except astronomers and Zander, nobody understood how
time flow quicker, more slowly, but a thought extremely can
interested all. Just imagine, so it is possible in some way
to operate also terrestrial time, forcing it to flow quicker,
more slowly.
– When I return to Earth in one or two months, I will find my Otto
the decrepit old man, and itself I will remain it is also young, isn’t that so, mister
Zander?
– And if terrestrial affairs develop adversely, we could put
the basis on some planet to new mankind, – Shnirer told,
the staying all evening in silence. – To create a new civilization, without
cars, without the equipment.
“Hundred years in two years! – Stormer thought. – During this time long ago will die
all my envious persons, enemies and judges, and case of me will decay in archives
vessels. Perfectly, devil take it! And if all this dies, we will slow down
flight – we will accelerate a current of time not too to lag behind terrestrial affairs,
also we will return to Earth to the most favorable to us the moment”.
– I would prefer to return to Earth and to find there triumphing
“Mohicans”, – he told. – But if, over expectation, it was necessary to us
to land on some planet, it would be very clever to us to undertake for
organization of this newest mankind. I offer such project.
We will take with ourselves in the rocket, so to speak, all quintessence of necessary
practical knowledge. In the most compressed look we will state all necessary
knowledge: mathematics, astronomy, medicine, biology, botany,
geography…
– I am afraid that terrestrial botany, the zoology and geography are not enough there
will be useful, – Dzhilber told. – On other planets you should create
other botany and geography.
– So, I suggest to capture with myself all “earth salt” in compact
look, – Stormer continued. – Experts could order
to make such abstracts, to everyone in the area and to print books
the most small print on the thinnest, but strong paper or to take
microbooks. I gave botany, geography for example. I think, however, as
terrestrial botany, geography, history will not be superfluous. Unless to immigrants
to Venus it will not be interesting to know about Earth But I pass to most important
parts mine of the project. New mankind on the new earth, certainly, so
it has to be divided into classes, as well as on our planet. But division
it has to be sharper. People of our circle have to borrow there
dominant position Descendants of any servants, mechanics and other
service personnel which we will take with ourselves have to become
our slaves We will create a caste “wise”, “devoted”, slaves have to
to be illiterate, dark people. And we will rule over them therefore
that without our knowledge they will be helpless and powerless Only we one
let’s know how to build houses, cars…
– Cars? Again cars? And there cars? – Shnirer screamed. – You want
to ruin new mankind? To transfer this infection, this plague to new
earth? Cars is a damnation of a Satan which finished terrestrial mankind
before a real crash! By no means, not under any circumstances I not
I will agree to this madness! Classes can remain – they are even necessary.
Only slavery could provide leisure, necessary for reflections
to philosophers of antiquity. Let there will be slavery, but the slavery softened