Review of "Jupiter," by Ben Bova

 Review of

Jupiter, by Ben Bova, ISBN 0312872178

Five out of five stars

Plausible human exploration of Jupiter

There are many extreme planetary environments in the solar system, it is difficult to imagine humans entering and surviving in them. That is not the case for Ben Bova. Using the latest scientific data about a planet, he manages to develop a plausible mechanism whereby humans can survive for at least short periods of time in the harshest of environments.

 In the planetary part of the solar system, there is no harsher environment than the atmosphere of Jupiter. There are wild variations of temperature, extremely violent storms and extreme atmospheric pressures found nowhere else. Using a plausible liquid that humans could breath, feeding tubes attached to veins of the neck and electronic interfaces from humans to the ship, an expedition into the Jovian atmosphere is developed. Bova has done his homework, using the latest data regarding the environment of Jupiter, he develops a scientifically viable plan for humans to take a ship deep into the atmosphere of Jupiter.

 Bova also sets the background environment where Earth is now ruled by a rigid theocracy called the New Morality that is in keeping with those of human history. The leaders are opposed to scientific advancement that they envision as inconsistent with their beliefs. It is of course hard to envision such a situation in an environment where humans have expanded out to the orbit of Jupiter. Yet, the presence of the theocratic leadership is also very well handled.

Grant Archer is a scientist that wants to study astrophysics from the far side of the Moon. He is also recently married, so his goal is to spend a rather sedate life working in science. However, he runs afoul of the New Morality and is given no choice but to go to the research station on Jupiter and act as a spy for the New Morality. There have been hints that there are advanced life forms on Jupiter, the discovery of which will upend much of the New Morality dogma.

 The story of how Archer is converted from a reluctant spy into a participant in one of the greatest scientific endeavors of human history is one of triumph of fact over dogma. His actions at the end guarantee that the leaders of the New Morality will be unable to put the genie of scientific discovery back in the bottle. It is a great tale of the advancement of science overcoming great odds when being damped down by religious beliefs.

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