The Saturn (Rain)

The Saturn

The Orpheus I spacecraft encountered the Saturn system and uncovered a host of wonders concerning the planet, its intricate ring system, its swarm of attendant satellites. Perhaps, most interesting of these was Titan, known to have an atmosphere rather like that of the primitive Earth, a dense haze layer composed of complex organic molecules, and perhaps a surface ocean of liquid hydrocarbons. A range of observations was made of rings of debris surrounding the Saturn.

These structures might be in the process of coagulating into new planetary systems, and suggest that planets might be overwhelmingly abundant among the stars of the Milky Was galaxy. In fact, life was found unexpectedly nibbling on sulfur compounds in very high temperature vents on the Earth’s ocean floor and many evidence has accumulated suggesting that comets are periodically sprayed into the inner solar system, triggering the extinction of many species on Earth.

Saturn. Image in public domain.

Great regions of intergalactic space have been uncovered that seemingly are depleted in galaxies. New and important components of the universe bearing on the question of its ultimate fate have been suggested.

(Extract from The Rain, the famous SF novel by Elena and George)