Star Chart’s Edge

Chapter 45: Galaxy barrier

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“Humanity’s exploration of extraterrestrial life has never stopped. Since humans started space exploration two centuries ago, a large number of detectors have flown out of the earth to detect celestial bodies in the solar system. Unfortunately, we have not yet fully explored all the celestial bodies we have detected. No life has been found on any planet in the world." Binx pointed to the solar system in front of him and said to everyone.

Xue Gushan, Fang Mobei, and Mars sat below and listened carefully to Binx's explanation. The three of them participated in this popular science audio-visual meeting at Binx's strong request.

"We have to admit that the earth is the only planet we know to have life. In the universe, we are very likely to be the only one."

"Old man, are you lecturing? What you are talking about can be found in middle school textbooks," Mars said impatiently.

Binx bit his lip in embarrassment. When he was on Earth, in addition to being a researcher on extraterrestrial civilizations, Binx was also a visiting professor at many universities. Maybe he was used to giving lectures to students, so his words naturally had a bookish air. , and soldiers are used to simple and accurate information.

"Professor Binks, you don't need to lay the groundwork, just talk about the key points." Fang Mobei saw Binks' embarrassed look on his face, so he reminded him to smooth things over.

Binx glanced at Fang Mobei gratefully, nodded and continued, "Then, the form of life cannot be defined in a narrow sense according to life on earth. Most life on earth requires oxygen and water to survive. These are based on Creatures whose carbon element is the basis of organic matter are collectively called carbon-based life. This is the life form we know, such as all of us." Binx pointed at everyone present.

"What do you mean, the planet Tokta is likely to have life forms different from ours?" Fang Mobei frowned and said with difficulty. He had tried his best to pick out the words of Binks, an old scholar. Missed the point.

Seeing that Fang Mobei was so teachable, Binx nodded happily, and his eyes began to shine when he looked at Fang Mobei.

"Yes, yes, diverse life forms should be a common phenomenon in the universe. Maybe there is a kind of life on some distant planet that does not require water. They survive on hydrogen. Maybe there are other forms of life in the universe. There is life in the form of energy, such as plasma, and there is even life in the form of information.”

"If you put it like this, wouldn't it be very likely that we wouldn't be able to find these lives?" Xue Gushan asked doubtfully.

"No, no, no, we can only look for it based on the life forms on the earth. We don't know whether the life that exists in theory really exists. Intelligent life is the rarest species in the universe. The earth has grown from billions of years ago to Life began to evolve not long ago, and it is a miracle in the universe that humans can evolve into intelligent life and then create a new civilization."

Xue Gushan and Fang Mobei looked at each other, "Then what do you mean? There may be life on Tokta that we cannot find?"

"Emmm... It can be understood that way." Binx thought for a moment and found that what Xue Gushan said was exactly what he wanted to express.

"Then what are we going to do? A spring outing on Tocta!" When Binx said this, Mars suddenly felt that this mission was extremely ridiculous.

"But we have discovered the radio band of extraterrestrial civilizations. As long as we can communicate with them by radio, we can establish contact with them." Zhang Ziming couldn't bear to see his teacher being bullied by the officer in front of him. In the field of radio, , he has absolute confidence.

"Then tell me, how do you determine whether the other party wants war or peace in the first place? If we make a mistake, we will be extremely passive." Mars looked at everyone and said solemnly, "The only way is to eliminate the other party and nip the danger in the cradle. among".

"The laws of the dark forest are extreme," Mieko shook her head.

"They were able to destroy the Zeus, which directly illustrates his

Our civilization is superior to ours, so how can we talk about annihilating each other? "Fang Mobei didn't agree with Mars' statement.

"Can we just sit back and wait for death?" Mars couldn't help but sigh after receiving Fang Mobei's reminder.

No one answered Mars' question because everyone was discussing a question with no established answer. Everyone had no idea about this task. In a state of lack of security, everyone could only strengthen each other's feelings through discussion. Confidence.

Fang Mobei noticed that Xue Gushan had not participated in the discussion from just now to now, but was staring at the screen with furrowed brows.

"Captain, what happened?" Fang Mobei's words attracted everyone present. They all looked at Xue Gushan, who was frowning. At this time, for everyone, the slightest disturbance was enough to attract their attention. force.

"The Nanmen ship is traveling faster than we planned. We are now close to the edge of the solar system's gravity," Xue Gushan said in a deep voice.

"So what?" Mars asked curiously.

Binks glanced at the uncultured Mars. "The solar system is centered on the star, the sun, which is like a magnetic field that attracts everything around it. The closer it is to the sun, the greater the gravitational force it receives. The farther away it is from the sun, the greater the gravitational force it receives. The smaller the gravity, that's why the Nanmen ship is traveling faster than we planned."

Mars ignored Binks' contempt and continued to ask, "After breaking away from the gravity of the solar system, won't the speed of the South Gate ship be faster? Will we arrive at the Tocta star field earlier than the scheduled time?"

Binx rolled his eyes and said nothing, as if he thought Mars was a fool.

"This is not the most important problem." Fang Mobei looked at the data projected by Saihu and said, "The edge of the solar system's gravity is a terminal shock wave. We need to pass through the terminal shock wave."

"What is the terminal shock wave?" Mars looked at the serious people, feeling a little uneasy in his heart.

Seeing that no one answered Mars' question, Zhang Ziming kindly explained to him, "The terminal shock wave is also called the terminal shock wave. It is the area where the solar wind begins to decelerate due to contact with the interstellar medium. It is the outermost boundary of the space affected by the sun. , equivalent to the boundary of the solar system."

Mieko continued Zhang Ziming's words and explained, "At the terminal shock wave, the particles in the solar wind interact with the interstellar medium, and the speed rapidly decreases from 700,000 to 1.5 million miles per hour to below subsonic speeds. Compression occurs, the temperature increases, and the magnetic field also decreases. Changes will occur." Miezi took a deep breath and continued, "To put it simply, in such an environment, with the size and speed of the Nanmen ship, there is a great possibility that it will be destroyed by the difference in gravity and speed. tear”.

As soon as he finished speaking, Mars stood stunned on the spot. He looked at the frowning people and murmured in a voice that only he could hear, "What the hell is going on here? Are you not afraid of death at all?"

The entire solar system's gravitational range is like an oblate sphere. To the outside interstellar space, this sphere is a vortex that is moving at high speed. At the edge of this vortex is the terminal shock wave.

When the Nanmen ship is thrown out of the terminal shock wave by this vortex, the Nanmen ship's hull will bear huge tearing force. In addition, there is a great probability of being thrown out of the established orbit by this vortex. This pair of Nanmen ships It will be a devastating disaster. Beyond the terminal shock wave is interstellar space with a distance of several thousand AU. There is also a layer of Oort Nebula in the outer layer of this interstellar space, and the planet Tokta is located in this interstellar space.

"Didn't you expect this situation before?" Fang Mobei looked at Xue Gushan and asked.

Xue Gushan shook his head, "Most of the previous star map plans existed in theory, and the only valid data came from the transmission of the 10,000 Sky Eyes. But the gap between the size of the Sky Eye and the Nanmen Ship is not something that can be Comparatively.”

"

Didn't the Ark and Zeus send back actual data before? Mars asked.

"If there were, we wouldn't be frowning here now." Xue Gushan rolled her eyes. "We must send the relevant data here back to the Tiangong No matter what, so that the Tiangong No. 1 will be adequately prepared to deal with the terminal shock wave."

Mars made the sign of the cross on his chest with both hands, "May the omnipotent God bless us, Amen."

"The data I have here shows that there are still 2 hours to reach the terminal shock zone." Fang Mobei raised his head and looked at Xue Gushan, "The success rate of simulated crossing is 72.51%."

Xue Gushan and Binx looked at the data given by Fang Mobei in surprise, "So high?" They all looked at the artificial intelligence floating around Fang Mobei.

Fang Mobei squinted at the data of Xue Gushan and the others. The efficiency of simulated time travel was only about 45%. He couldn't help but suffocated. Saihu's analysis ability was really far beyond that of ordinary AI. It seems that the AI after becoming conscious is indeed It was different. Sai Hu's ability was almost exposed this time, and Fang Mobei couldn't help but feel scared.

"I have incorporated some of my ideas and designs into it. I think the success rate should be improved a lot." Since Fang Mobei's mental strength reached C level, his IQ and quick response ability have also made great progress.

Fang Mobei's words were perfunctory to Binx and others, but they did not dispel Xue Gushan's suspicion. Xue Gushan took a deep look at Sai Hu next to Fang Mobei. Only an idiot would believe that a soldier could be capable in the face of such hard science. What ideas and designs, but this is not the time to delve into it.

The Nanmen ship activated the first level of combat readiness. After receiving the relevant message, everyone ended their rest and arrived at the designated positions to stand by.

The huge countdown on the big screen in the command room reminded everyone that there were still 35 minutes left.

The Nanmen ship entered autopilot, and the driving rights were handed over to Sai Hu. Xue Gushan stood in the captain's seat and looked at the various data displayed around her. Fang Mobei and others on the side were also waiting at her side. last moment.

"Close all cabin valves and be ready to escape at any time!" Xue Gushan ordered.

"All cabin valves have been closed and we are ready to escape at any time," the staff replied after closing all the valves.

The reason why she closed all the cabin valves and was ready to escape at any time, just like cutting off the tail of a gecko to protect herself, was not that Xue Gushan didn't trust Fang Mobei's AI, but that she needed to make some back-up preparations to ensure that it could be completed smoothly. The mission of the Nanmen ship is to transmit the data here to the Tiangong.

At this time, the hull of the Nanmen ship began to shake slightly. Xue Gushan looked at Fang Mobei, Binks and others beside her, "You really don't need to take your people to the towing aircraft?"

With the performance of the towing aircraft, it is entirely possible to pass through the terminal shock wave and reach the Tokta planet when the Nanmen ship disintegrates. The carrier aircraft of the Air Service Group is not as stable as the towing aircraft in terms of structural stability. The electronic instruments on the carrying aircraft comply with It is needed in wartime, but in terms of escape, it is far inferior to a tow-loader with a single function.

"I trust my artificial intelligence very much," Fang Mobei said with a smile while looking at Sai Hu who was connecting to the main controller on the podium.

"The captain is not afraid, so what do I, an old man who is half-stepping into the grave, have to be afraid of?" Binx looked at Fang Mobei with a smile and said, "Besides, I also want to know how powerful the galaxy barrier in our solar system is. "

Xue Gushan snorted coldly and stopped talking to the two people beside her. She continued to pay attention to the various connection data of the ship "Time Travel Countdown Five"

"Four"

"three"

"two"

"one"