Rocheworld by Robert L. Forward
Teaching Science Through Science Fiction
Many science fiction novels are dense with creativity in outer space, but short on the real science of motion once their spaceships leave Earth.
As renowned physicist, Forward is able to describe accurate scenarios based on his far-reaching knowledge of physics and motion. In Rocheworld, a team of scientists embark on a 20 year journey to the Barnard star system. Forward crafts a realistic scenario and educates the reader in the science of motion along the way.
Red shift Reality
A particularly effective technique describing motion without the reader ‘tuning out’ occurs when Forward mixes his explanation of science with character dialogue. The first few pages of the ‘Stopping’ chapter introduce the scientifically plausible way Forward has his spacecraft decelerate upon its approach to their destination of Barnard’s Star. Since the crew is traveling at twenty percent the speed of light, the light the crew would see the laser beam propelling the ship to be red-shifted. This is due to wavelengths being stretched out, and longer wavelengths mean redder light.
David says to Shirley, “’We’re moving at twenty percent the speed of light now, so the blue-green laser frequency is red-shifted by eighteen percent to orange, but when we come to a stop at Barnard, it’ll move back to green.’
‘Like modern alchemists,’ mused Shirley. ‘Transmuting topazes to emeralds.’
‘Just a wave of the magic relativity wand.’”
Here, Forward employs the use of descriptive dialogue to both educate the reader and portray the appearance the reality of the motion. Shirley’s reaction to the light is an interesting way to describe what a red shift look like.
Physics of Space Travel
Another technique Forward uses to explain the science of motion that is the least effective is when he simply writes detailed paragraphs without a break of dialogue or literary device. Often times in Rocheworld, Forward begins his chapters with long-winded descriptions of the science behind the motion of the ship, and ‘Exploring’ is no exception.
When Forward describes the plan of action for the motion of the spaceship as it reaches the unique double star and double planet system, he explains how the crew will use the system’s gravity as propulsion, coupled with a light sail and the laws of orbit and gravity. While the motion is much more scientific than if the ship had just zipped around like a fighter pilot as what would happen in many sci-fi novels and movies, it’s a miracle if the reader doesn’t completely zone out during Forward’s description of the real science.
Accurate Science Fiction
Although the science Forward uses is poignant and accurate in most cases, his delivery leaves something to be desired. At his best, he complements the characters’ dialogue with similes and metaphors of the science behind the motion of the ship to help the reader picture what is happening, but at his worst Forward uses long-winded, boring descriptions, often getting in the way of character development. The reader can quickly become lost in the technical words and lose the train of thought regarding the other characters.
Forward created a science fiction novel rife with the hard science of motion and space. Despite some flaws,with Rocheworld Forward was able to create that rare gem in science fiction, the accurate and plausible novel.
See Cosm by Gregory Benford for another science heavy sci-fi read.
- Rocheworld by Robert L. Forward, Forward - Fiction - Baen Books (1990) - Paperback - 480 pages
