Mission of Gravity
Science fiction novel by Hal Clement1
(1954) set on the giant, rapidly rotating planet of Mesklin where the effective
gravity varies between 700-g at the flattened poles and 3-g
at the equator. Under these seemingly less than ideal conditions, life and
intelligence have evolved. The Mesklinites are giant centipede-like creatures,
derived from aquatic jet-propelled ancestors, which have diverged in biology
and culture according to where they live on the planet. A spacecraft from
Earth crashes at the planet's north pole and a rescue mission ensues in
which the Mesklinite known as Barlennan takes on the role of hero. Although
Clement provides no great insight into novel extraterrestrial psychologies,
his book is one of the earliest systematic attempts to invent a world with
an ecology to match.
Reference
1. Clement, Hal. Mission of Gravity. New York: Doubleday
(1954).
Related entry
• gravitational life
Related category
• SCIENCE
FICTION
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