Chapter 220: Orphan Planet_1

After sending Reporter Xu off, Jiang Yu said to Number Three, "Check how Bai Xiao's family and descendants are doing now.

"If they're not doing too well, ask them if they would like to join the Wallfacer Federation.

"Don't let our fallen heroes down!"

Number Three nodded. "Yes," she replied.

Jiang Yu then said, "Later, go to City Hall and name the square outside 'Pioneers' Square'. Erect a monument there in memory of heroes like Bai Xiao behind enemy lines.

"And erect another for Bo Xiangdong and Beck, in memory of their outstanding contributions to the Wallfacer Federation!"

Number Three acknowledged with a word, and just as she was about to leave, Jiang Yu added, "Help me find an astronomer. I need a good rest today, and then have them come see me tomorrow morning."

After Number Three left, Jiang Yu, who had not slept for two days and nights, felt tired but just couldn't fall asleep.

It was around 21:00 when he finally drifted into a half-sleep, half-awake state. It seemed a young man suddenly whispered in his ear, "We said we'd have a drink together when we got to Beijing, but I never imagined we'd never get the chance."

Jiang Yu abruptly woke up, gazing at the empty room under the dim light, feeling a certain hollowness in his heart.

They had only met once inside the "Three-Body" game, and he had only seen Wei Keke once more in reality.

Logically, there shouldn't have been much of a bond, yet when Jiang Yu heard of their sacrifice, he felt the same sensation as if he had learned of the death of an old friend.

Jiang Yu sighed heavily as he looked at the ceiling. "Alas, they're all gone."

While others had passed away, he still had to continue the fight, but fortunately, he was no longer struggling alone.

It wasn't until the late night that Jiang Yu finally fell into a deep sleep.

The next day, having washed and eaten breakfast early, he immediately asked Number Three to summon the astronomer.

The astronomer looked to be in his thirties, but Jiang Yu guessed he had to be over fifty.

In recent times, Jiang Yu had noticed that the residents of Guanghan City, from around twenty-seven or twenty-eight to before seventy, almost all looked the same; they only began to age again after seventy.

The citizens of Guanghan City used the term "prime adults" to describe this age group that showed no signs of aging, to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings.

This "prime adult" astronomer was a typical Eastern man, wearing the white coat standard for Guanghan City scientific staff, with short hair and slightly almond-shaped eyes.

Seeing the Wallfacer, he was very excited. "Hello, Wallfacer, my name is Hu Guanghan, but you can call me Little Hu," he said.

Jiang Yu shook his hand, thinking to himself that this man surely was no longer "Little Hu."

He had reviewed the materials provided by Number Three and found that this "Little Hu" appeared to be well into his fifties.

Number Three quickly introduced him, "This is Director Hu of the Astronomy Department at Lunar University. He's one of the first babies born in Guanghan City, which is why his parents named him Hu Guanghan."

Number Three paused then added, "Director Hu was one of the scientific researchers who participated in the 'Reinforcement of the Future' project."

Hu Guanghan said eagerly, "Yes, yes, both of my parents admire you very much. They've said more than once that I am a child of Guanghan City, and also your child."

Number Three barely held back her laughter at his side.

Jiang Yu smiled awkwardly, "Thank you for your family's support. Please, take a seat."

Hu Guanghan sat down cautiously across from Jiang Yu, and after Number Three served them tea, Jiang Yu said, "I invited Director Hu here today to consult you on some astronomical matters."

"Please go ahead."

"I'm curious about orphan planets, so I would like Director Hu to tell me about orphan planets."

When it came to his area of expertise, Hu Guanghan appeared much more at ease, "Orphan planets are also known as interstellar planets or wandering planets..."

"Wandering what?" Jiang Yu felt as though he had heard something mind-blowing.

"Wandering planets!" Hu Guanghan repeated, "The astronomical community believes that these planets should originally have orbited around stars.

"But due to the influence of other planets or gravitational sources outside of their planetary system, they were flung from their own system.

"According to observations and speculations since the last century, the number of orphan planets should be quite significant!

"Just the planets the size of Jupiter or gas giant planets alone are twice the number of stars, not to mention the countless smaller planets.

"They are constantly shuttling between planetary systems, and only by some stroke of luck are they captured by a star's gravity."

Hu Guanghan paused and then continued, "Over forty years ago, the Hubble II telescope observed an orphan planet passing through the outskirts of the Solar System.

"But because it was too dark there, we only knew of its existence and did not obtain any detailed information.

"Not until five years later, when the orphan planet had moved far away from the Solar System, were we no longer able to see it."

After pondering for a few seconds, Jiang Yu asked, "Are the formations of orphan planets speculative, or have they been confirmed?"

"They are our speculation." Hu Guanghan's initial excitement had gradually settled, and he answered with stronger logic:

"First of all, the dust in the space between planetary systems cannot form a planet, let alone large gas giants forming from dust.

"So, when orphan planets were first discovered, we dismissed the hypothesis that they formed outside of planetary systems.

"Then there's only one logical explanation: they must have formed within a galaxy and for some reason were driven out of their system.

"Planetary systems are very unstable when they first form.

"Take the Solar System, for example, Uranus, which is 'lying down and revolving' on the outskirts, might have 'lain down' due to the pull of Jupiter's massive gravity during a past meeting.

"Some astronomers once speculated that Uranus might have formed closer to the inner part of the Solar System, and then been pushed out to the periphery by the gravitational forces of other planets.

"Now we feel that the Solar System is very stable, but that's just in this stage. In its early formation, the sun must have been very volatile and chaotic.

"In other words, we believe that at the beginning of every galaxy's formation, it's highly probable that a few planets are flung out of the planetary system."

The knowledge Hu Guanghan shared was a surprise to Jiang Yu; he had previously thought there wouldn't be that many orphan planets.

Indeed, for professional questions, it's best to consult an expert.

Still, he asked, "Is it possible that some orphan planets are deliberately pushed out of their own systems by intelligent life forms living on them?"

Hu Guanghan was taken aback, "They wouldn't have any reason to do that, as the gaps between planetary systems are very cold, and certain areas might even approach absolute zero.

"In such a state..."

Jiang Yu cut in, "Just tell me, could my hypothesis be possible?"

Hu Guanghan thought for a moment, "It should be possible, if one has sufficient mastery over the application of gravity, one could eject the planet they inhabit from the planetary system."

Jiang Yu asked again, "Could large nuclear engines provide the power for a planet to leave its planetary system? I'm using Earth as an example."

Hu Guanghan smiled and shook his head, "The force required would be too great. With the current scientific and technological capabilities, we couldn't build an engine with sufficient power.

"Even if we had a new breakthrough in the utilization of nuclear energy and really could build such an engine, it would probably take more than a decade to push Earth out of its orbit and toward the outer edge of the planetary system."

Jiang Yu nodded, "Then explain in detail the method you mentioned earlier, of using gravity to propel a planet!"