On the day that the theft of the solar system's light begins, Burl Denning is with an archaeological expedition in the Andes, only a few miles from the source of the "disturbance." Within hours the United States Air Force has ordered the expedition to investigate the strange phenomenon that is causing a dimness and a drop in temperature throughout the world.
This is the start of a fantastic adventure that eventually takes Burl, a high-school senior, on the first circumnavigation of the solar system. On planet after planet, he and the crew of the Magellan, a gleaming, powerful, and virtually untested spaceship, discover the weird trappings of a brilliantly-designed Sun-tap station. Each planetfall brings unexpected hazards, as the ship draws closer and closer to solving the mystery of the theft.
The author has based his story on science fact. Researchers are actually at work on the possibilities of just such a circumnavigation, and on another surprising theory brought out in this book.
the Earth from space platforms and the Moon to determine the center of the trouble.
* * * * *
Burl Denning had not found the next valley of much interest, either. Evidence of an Inca road over the mountain had petered out. There were signs there had been human dwellings, but they were not Inca--just reminders of the onetime passage of an unknown band of primitives who had grazed their sheep, built temporary tents, and pulled up stakes perhaps a hundred years before.
So again at night, Burl, his father, and Gonzales took counsel. They were debating which way to proceed next; Mark Denning reasoning that they should go further inland, following tales natives had told; Gonzales urging that they retrack their path and proceed northward toward the regions where Inca ruins abounded.
For the past week Burl had not been able to get radio reception. The static had increased as they had gone eastward over the mountain, but not a word of news or any human voice came through. The Moon was risi
Absolute classic juvenile science fiction novel from the 50's
If you start reading this as "sci-fi", you might be disappointed. So take this as a boys adventure novel, which happens to be set in space.
This is an outstanding juvenile sci-fi novel. I have re-read it many times over the years. This book was the trigger for life long love of Science fiction.
When I has in School this book was the book that got me into reading. Being younger this book was great for my mind, and imagination.
A fairly mediocre tale. Boys Own meets Asimov in a Sci Fi tale of a boy caught in a series of "exciting" adventures.
The story is about a team of astronauts and a keen young boy who are sent to space to destroy alien installations all over the solar system which are draining the sun and risking supernova. The prose is wretched and the storyline flimsy.
I probably would have enjoyed it when I was 10, and that's probably the kind of market it was written for.
