Star Summary

Star

Arthur C.Clarke

From:

        The Nine Billion Names of God: The Best Short stories of Arthur C. Clarke

Framework:

        This short story appeared in the science Fiction magazine named Infinity Science Fiction in the year 1955

        It was reprinted in a collection of Clarke’s short stories called “The Other side of the Sky” in the year 1958.

Summary and Interpretation:

        The Chief astrophysicist Dr. Chandler on board is the Jesuit Priest who narrates the story after the main events had already occurred:

                It is three thousand light Years to the Vatican, the narrator believed that space could have no power over faith just as he believed the heavens declared the glory of God’s hard-work. Now the narrator takes in a look at the crucifix (Jesus Christ) that hangs on the cabin wall above the    Mark VI Computer and for the first time he feels crucifix as an empty symbol.

        He records all the facts using Magnetic tape and he had thousands of photographs that were carried back to the earth from Vatican. The narrator doubts the existence of God and life after death. The narrator has not told anyone about his religious doubt as the narrator was an astrophysicist and Jesuit Priest.    

      He does not share his doubts with the team as they would joke around the question. They will not be able to understand how a scientist is also a Jesuit Priest.

                        Jesuit - Lover of Science and since 18^th Century shapes scientific discoveries  

        The priest pauses to reflect on holy Jesuit order. He then encounters the resources of space by pointing out three papers in Astrophysical Journal, my five in the monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. And he wonders whether his report on the Phoenix Nebula will end the thousand light years of history.

       As the crew was led towards the mysterious Phoenix Nebula, he wonders who gave the name Nebula as the word “Nebula” is misleading as they are scattered throughout the length of Milky Way.

Phoenix Nebula

Tiny element which is surrounded around the star as a gaseous particle

         As the crew reaches Nebula they were all exited. The Jesuit is holding a book were the words are plain to read:

“AD MAIOREM DEI GLORIAM”

“The Greater glory of God”

      This particular line could no longer be believed as they have seen Phoenix Nebula. Then the Jesuit Priest starts to work at Lunar Observatory. This Nebula has destroyed his faith. After entering the Nebula the crew discovered a single world that escaped from the destruction when its star explored.

      When the star became Supernova – this scene was watched by the Chinese Astronomer in A.D 1054 not knowing what it was. Five centuries later in 1572 – Supernova blazed in Cassiopeia so brilliantly. It is now three thousand years since it passed. As the star explored six thousand years before till now the place is very hot and even it has a violet light. The star has now become a White Dwarf.

      The crew moves towards the little star ahead as they landed they found a Vault. Then the crew fell towards this gigantic bull’s eye like an arrow into its target. As they saw the Vault their original purpose was forgotten. They examined the treasures that were placed in the Vault. They felt as they were taken from one planet to another planet. They are now exploring the vault.

      They witnessed the people living and they witnessed:  

1. Children’s on beach with strange blue sand

2. Playing in the waves as children’s play on earth

3. Whip like trees

4. Very large animals

      As they discovered they feel that a star from deep space burned so widely that humans on earth worshipped it. They did not just worship it either they called:

“Star of Bethlehem”

      The star symbolizes Jesus; this star has killed a planet and wiped a civilization into oblivion.

“Why God let this happen, what it means for us”

      The other astrophysicists ask the priest this very question and he cannot answer it. And he knows that if god cares so little about his people, earth could disappear at any time. Perhaps we only worship Jesus he arrived at the same time a star explored across the sky. If the star was not explored God may not exist.   

Some Possible Question: 

1. Why did the Jesuit Priest say that he doubts in the existence of God?

2. Where and when did the exploration of star happen?

3. What did the crew discover in the Vault? 

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Interpretation of the Story Narrated by Dr. Chandler

In Arthur C. Clarke's story, Dr. Chandler, a Jesuit priest and chief astrophysicist, narrates the events that have already occurred. The story is set three thousand light-years away from the Vatican. As an astrophysicist and a Jesuit priest, Chandler believed that space would never weaken his faith. He always thought that the heavens showcased the glory of God’s work. However, a significant shift in his perspective begins when he looks at the crucifix hanging on the cabin wall above the Mark VI computer. For the first time, he feels that the crucifix, a symbol of Jesus Christ, seems empty and devoid of meaning.

Chandler is meticulous in his scientific duties, recording all the facts on magnetic tape and carrying back thousands of photographs to Earth from the Vatican. Despite his religious role, Chandler begins to doubt the existence of God and the concept of life after death. These doubts are kept private, as Chandler understands that his colleagues would mock his internal struggle. They would find it difficult to understand how a scientist could also be a Jesuit priest, given the perceived conflict between faith and scientific inquiry.

Jesuits and Their Scientific Contributions

The Jesuit order, known for its love of science, has been shaping scientific discoveries since the 18th century. As a member of this order, Chandler reflects on their significant contributions to science. He mentions his publications in the Astrophysical Journal and the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Chandler wonders if his report on the Phoenix Nebula will mark the end of a thousand light-years of history.

The Phoenix Nebula

The crew, led towards the mysterious Phoenix Nebula, is excited about the journey. Chandler reflects on the naming of the nebula, noting that the term "nebula" might be misleading, as these formations are scattered throughout the Milky Way. The Phoenix Nebula is a tiny element surrounded by a gaseous star. As they reach the nebula, Chandler holds a book with the inscription "AD MAIOREM DEI GLORIAM," meaning "For the Greater Glory of God." However, the experience of seeing the Phoenix Nebula makes this phrase difficult to believe.

The Lunar Observatory and the Collapse of Faith

After entering the nebula, the crew discovers a single world that survived the destruction of its star when it went supernova. This supernova event was observed by a Chinese astronomer in A.D. 1054 and again in 1572 when another supernova blazed brilliantly in Cassiopeia. It has been three thousand years since these events occurred. The star, having exploded six thousand years ago, has left the area hot and glowing with a violet light. Now, the star has become a white dwarf.

Chandler and the crew move towards the small star ahead and land on it. They find a vault, falling towards it like an arrow into a bull’s eye. The original purpose of their mission is forgotten as they examine the treasures within the vault. The crew feels as if they have been transported from one planet to another, exploring the wonders inside.

Discovering a New World

The crew witnesses various forms of life on the newly discovered planet. They see children playing on beaches with strange blue sand, large animals, and whip-like trees. These scenes remind them of Earth’s children playing in the waves. The discovery prompts them to reflect on the star’s significance, which humans on Earth worshipped as the "Star of Bethlehem." This star, symbolizing Jesus, has destroyed a planet and wiped out a civilization.

Questioning God’s Plan

The other astrophysicists ask Chandler why God would allow such destruction and what it means for humanity. Chandler cannot provide a satisfactory answer, realizing that if God cares so little about His creation, Earth could be wiped out at any moment. He contemplates the possibility that humanity only worshipped Jesus because His arrival coincided with the star’s explosion. If the star had not exploded, perhaps God might not exist at all.

Reflection on Faith and Science

Chandler's journey from faith to doubt is a poignant exploration of how scientific discoveries can challenge long-held religious beliefs. The Phoenix Nebula serves as a catalyst for Chandler’s crisis of faith. Its discovery and the subsequent findings challenge the notion of a benevolent and omnipotent God. The star that once symbolized divine intervention and the birth of Christ now becomes a symbol of destruction and the fragility of life. This juxtaposition underscores the complex relationship between scientific discovery and religious belief.

Chandler’s internal struggle is further complicated by his role as a Jesuit priest. The Jesuit order has a long history of scientific inquiry and contributions, reflecting the belief that science and faith can coexist. However, Chandler’s experience suggests that this coexistence is not without its challenges. His colleagues' inability to understand his dual identity as a scientist and a priest highlights the broader societal difficulty in reconciling faith with reason.

Unresolved Tensions

The story’s ending leaves readers with more questions than answers. Chandler’s inability to provide a satisfactory explanation for the destruction caused by the supernova reflects the limitations of both science and religion in explaining the mysteries of the universe. This unresolved tension invites readers to reflect on their own beliefs and the ways in which they navigate the complexities of faith and reason.

Conclusion

Arthur C. Clarke's "The Nine Billion Names of God" presents a powerful narrative that intertwines faith, science, and existential questions. Through Chandler's journey, Clarke explores the challenges and uncertainties that arise when scientific discovery intersects with religious belief. The Phoenix Nebula, once a symbol of divine glory, becomes a source of profound doubt for Chandler, illustrating the fragile nature of faith in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence. Clarke's story encourages readers to think critically about their beliefs and to recognize the limitations of both science and religion in understanding the universe. Through its thought-provoking narrative, "The Nine Billion Names of God" remains a compelling exploration of the human condition and the quest for meaning in an ever-expanding cosmos.