"The Jupiter Theft" - читать интересную книгу автора (Moffitt Donald)

There was an illusion of stars swimming across the plate, as electrical potentials changed on the plastic's surface. The stars halted as the Farside computer locked the telescope into the Polyphemus radio array.

The blue supergiant known as HDE 226868 was plainly visible as a bloated disk, thanks to computer enhancement of thousands of separate millisecond-long exposures. You could even see the pronounced bulge at one side, where its substance was being sucked away by its invisible companionЧinvisible because black holes swallow their own light, as they swallow everything else.

Ruiz made the computer generate a phantom image derived from radio waves and X-ray scatter. A fuzzy speck of cotton appeared opposite the tip of the bulge. He shifted focus and found another cotton ball halfway between Cyg X-1 and Deneb. Whatever the new source was, it wasn't part of a binary. He frowned.

Maybury had been busy comparing her first entries on the lightpad with the updated figures on the board. УDr. Ruiz,Ф she said in a puzzled tone, Уthere's no proper motion that the computer can detect. I know the observational sample is still very small, but the new object seems to have stopped its lateral movement. She hesitated. УThat would mean that it's changed direction twice in the last twenty-eight days.Ф

The junior astronomy resident snorted. УThat's impossible!Ф

Nobody paid any attention. Ruiz looked thoughtful. УMizz Maybury...Ф

She was way ahead of him. She scribbled a question on her lightpad and read off the answer that appeared a moment later.

УThe computer says that both the radio waves and X-ray emissions are blue-shifted,Ф she said. УIt's been compensating for our benefit.Ф

УThat means that the object is moving toward us,Ф the resident said brightly.

Ruiz switched off the ghost image and stared intently at the place where it had been. There was nothing visible.

But Deneb jiggled.

The others saw it too. All of a sudden the room was very quiet.

УMizz, Maybury,Ф Ruiz said, Уwill you ask the computer to generate a star chart on this screen? Just the main reference points will do.Ф

УI'll do it,Ф the junior resident offered.

A scattering of white crosses appeared on the screen, canceling out the stars. But Deneb was still there, displaced inward toward the cotton ball.

УIt's bending light, whatever it is,Ф Ruiz said. УAnd it's between us andЧФ

Angry squawking from the wall communicator interrupted him. He looked up and saw the apoplectic face of Dr. Mackie, the chief astronomer at the Sagan dome.

УDr. Ruiz!Ф Mackie sputtered. УI must protest the highhanded manner in which you preempted the schedule of the five-hundred-inch mirror. There are such things as review boards, and I can assure you thatЧФ

УCalm down, Horace,Ф Ruiz said. УI think you'd better get over here right away.Ф

Mackie's truculence faded suddenly. УWhat have you got?Ф he said carefully.

УI'm not sure, but I want you in on it. Requisition the courier rocket. If you leave right away, you can be here in an hour.Ф

As soon as Mackie switched off, Ruiz called Central Communications. УPut this through to the Mars station. Personal, direct to Dr. Larrabee at the Syrtis Major radio observatory. Wake him up if he's asleep.Ф

УYou're on, Doctor,Ф Communications said.

Ruiz spoke rapidly and precisely into the communicator, giving coordinates, explaining the situation in as few words as possible. У...And, Larry,Ф he finished, Уdon't waste time calling me back for a confirmation. Just do it.Ф

He switched off and settled back in one of the swivel chairs. УHow about some coffee while we're waiting?Ф he said.