The planet had been thoroughly
described to all of them, but no scientific description, no matter how
accurate, could have prepared them for the actuality.
"It looks as if it is made out of charcoal," whispered Joe finally.
"Or obsidian," contributed Mark in a subdued voice.
Before long, Joe brought the ship into a low orbit around the tenth
planet. Over 4,000 miles in diameter, it was everywhere foreboding,
sapping the spirit out of whoever looked upon it. The Starmen
themselves were depressed at the sight.
Only about 20% of the planet's surface was anything near smooth, and
the smooth parts were scattered into many different, small areas. More
than half the terrain was comprised of jagged planes of crystallized
material, heaped together as if at random. The planet was covered with
sharp points and razor-thin ridges, scarred with tortuous narrow
canyons, and marked with pits and shadows-darkness upon darkness.
"Surface temperature?" asked Zip.
"Minus 342 degrees, just as Dr. O said," answered Mark. "As we
expected, it has no atmosphere. Whatever atmosphere it has is frozen on
the surface of the planet."
A man behind them choked. The fear in the room was palpable. There was
no logical reason for it, but the Starmen wouldn't quibble with the
crew members.
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