Off on a Comet! a Journey through Planetary Space

Off on a Comet! a Journey through Planetary Space

Among so many effective and artistic tales, it is difficult to give a preference to one over all the rest. Yet, certainly, even amid Vernes remarkable works, his Off on a Comet must be given high rank. Perhaps this story will be remembered when even Round the World in Eighty Days and Michael Strogoff have been obliterated by centuries of time. At least, of the many books since written upon the same theme as Vernes, no one has yet succeeded in equaling or even approaching it. In one way Off on a Comet shows a marked contrast to Vernes earlier books. Not only does it invade a region more remote than even the Trip to the Moon, but the author here abandons his usual scrupulously scientific attitude. In order that he may escort us through the depths of immeasurable space, show us what astronomy really knows of conditions there and upon the other planets, Verne asks us to accept a situation frankly impossible. The earth and a comet are brought twice into collision without mankind in general, or even our astronomers, becoming conscious of the fact. Moreover several people from widely scattered places are carried off by the comet and returned uninjured. Yet further, the comet snatches for the convenience of its travelers, both air and water. Little, useful tracts of earth are picked up and, as it were, turned over and clapped down right side up again upon the comets surface. Even ships pass uninjured through this remarkable somersault. These events all belong frankly to the realm of fairyland. If the situation were reproduced in actuality, if ever a comet should come into collision with the earth, we can conceive two scientifically possible results. If the comet were of such attenuation, such almost infinitesimal mass as some of these celestial wanderers seem to be, we can imagine our earth self-protective and possibly unharmed. If, on the other hand, the comet had even a hundredth part of the size and solidity and weight which Verne confers upon his monster so as to give his travelers a homein that case the collision would be unspeakably disastrousespecially to the unlucky individuals who occupied the exact point of contact. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 1353
Author: Verne, Jules
Release Date: Jun 1, 1998
Format: eBook
Language: English