Darkness Falls Read Free

and astrophysics.” This announcement was met with more enthusiastic applause.
    â€œI’d like at this time to acknowledge the two young men seated up here with me. Frank andJoe Hardy discovered an important component of accurate infrared film development and used this film to shoot the night sky and stars. The Ebersol Foundation would like to honor them and their achievement tonight with the Ebersol Science Award. Frank? Joe?”
    Frank flushed as flashes went off and he and Joe rose to accept their bronze plaque.
    â€œThanks very much, Dr. Ebersol,” Frank managed to say, taking the plaque. The bright lights suddenly felt intensely hot and blinding to him.
    â€œMy brother and I would also like to thank our parents and the people at the university photography lab who let us use their equipment,” Joe said as smoothly as a professional speaker. Frank was impressed. During another small burst of applause, the brothers shook Dr. Ebersol’s hand and returned to their seats.
    â€œSearch for the stars,” Dr. Ebersol continued, his voice softening dramatically as he repeated the phrase slowly. “Search for the stars—it’s almost an unwritten commandment, isn’t it? And it began the moment our ancestors first raised their eyes from their caves to the complex, starry night sky. It’s a pursuit that has motivated me since I can remember. And now I stand on the brink of what may be my greatest discovery—the Exploded Planet.”
    Staring out into the audience, Frank saw thateveryone seemed enthralled by Ebersol’s dramatic exposition.
    â€œA quest of this magnitude takes a lot of effort, and a lot of resources, and I’d like to thank my supporters for making the search possible,” the scientist continued. “It has long been my belief that to be complete humans beings, we must always feel the awe our ancestors felt as they studied the stars. Yes, my friends, our true human destiny—to discover—can only be fulfilled when we search for the stars!”
    There was a moment of silence as Dr. Ebersol’s inspiring words faded. Then, a smattering of applause began, followed immediately by enthusiastic clapping.
    Acknowledging the acclaim with a modest smile. Dr. Ebersol added, “Now I’ll be happy to take questions from the press. I’m sure you’re all curious about the coming eclipse. You, there,” he said, pointing to a reporter waving her pencil in the air.
    â€œCould you explain your ‘exploded planet’ theory for us, sir?” she asked. “And also, what do you hope to achieve during the coming eclipse?”
    â€œCertainly,” Dr. Ebersol said warmly. “My theory holds that at the birth of our solar system, there were more than nine planets. But one of them, or possibly even two, were pulledinto the sun’s gravitational force, where they blew apart.
    â€œMy theory could only be proven by finding a ring of cosmic rubble around the sun,” he went on. “Now, why have we never spotted this ring? Simply because the sun is too bright. But with the new infrared detectors developed by my team, Michele Ebersol and Everett MacLaughlin, and with the two young Hardys, my guess is that we’ll be able to spot the rings during the eclipse.”
    â€œBut, Doctor,” another reporter said, “we’ve had eclipses before. What makes this one special?”
    â€œThis eclipse is far and away the longest in our lifetime,” Ebersol replied. “Imagine! The sun’s rays will be totally obliterated for a full seven minutes! If I may add a small historical footnote—I find it ironic that in ancient times a solar eclipse was considered an evil omen, foretelling the death of kings. Now we view an eclipse as a scientific opportunity. Our perspective has certainly changed, hasn’t it?”
    The science editor of the local TV station rose and waved his hand. “Where will you be