The Star (Phoenix Classics)

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in January (about 1900, presumably), the people of Earth awaken to the notion that a strange luminous object has erupted, into the Solar System, after disturbing the normal orbit of the planet Neptune. Indeed, such object is a luminous celestial body, whose luminosity is distinguishable on the sky about the constellation of Leo.

Although initially it is a matter of concern only for astronomers, eventually the world media announces that it is a whole star, heading in a collision course toward the center of our star system. In its way, the star had enwrapped Neptune indeed, bringing it inside. Although many people are concerned by this, the issue amounts to little more than a temporary fad.

The loose star continues its path, now affecting the planet Jupiter and all its moons. At this point, the studies of a mathematician are published throughout the world. He explains that both the intruding star and our Sun are exerting reciprocal gravitational attraction, and as a result it is being pulled deeper into the solar system. With the orientation of the star being what it is, it is determined that the star would either hit Earth or pass by at close proximity, which would lead to apocalyptic ecological consequences. While the Earth is losing its nights owing to its luminosity, many people begin to worry. Some cynics continue to refute this, remembering the year 1000, in which humanity also anticipated the world's end. The English winter softens progressively into a thaw, as the intruding star grows fast on the sky. Its high speed is evident during the worst hours of the event. On that day, in the sky above England the relative size of the star was equivalent to a third of the size of the Moon. Upon reaching the skies of the United States the relative size had already increased to the size of the Moon.