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{{Short description|1986 novel by Jack McDevitt}}
{{Infobox Book | <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Novels or Wikipedia:WikiProject_Books -->
{{Infobox book | <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Novels or Wikipedia:WikiProject_Books -->
| name = The Hercules Text
| name = The Hercules Text
| title_orig =
| title_orig =
| translator =
| translator =
| image = <!--prefer 1st edition-->
| image = File:TheHerculesText.jpg
| caption = First edition
| image_caption =
| author = [[Jack McDevitt]]
| author = [[Jack McDevitt]]
| illustrator =
| illustrator =
| cover_artist =
| cover_artist = Earl Keleny
| country = [[United States]]
| country = United States
| language = [[English language|English]]
| language = English
| series =
| series =
| genre = [[Science fiction novel]]
| genre = [[Science fiction]]
| publisher = [[Ace Books]]
| publisher = [[Ace Books]]
| release_date = November 1986
| release_date = November 1986
| media_type = Print ([[Paperback]])
| media_type = Print (Paperback)
| pages =
| pages =
| isbn = 0-441-37367-4
| isbn = 0-441-37367-4
| oclc = 15476626
| preceded_by =
| preceded_by =
| followed_by =
| followed_by =
}}
}}
'''''The Hercules Text''''' is a 1986 science fiction novel by [[Jack McDevitt]]. It tells the story of a message of intelligent extraterrestrial origin received by [[SETI]]-scientists.
'''''The Hercules Text''''' is a 1986 science fiction novel by American writer [[Jack McDevitt]]. It tells the story of a message of intelligent extraterrestrial origin received by [[SETI]] scientists. ''The Hercules Text'' was nominated for the [[Philip K. Dick Award]] in 1986.<ref name="WWE-1986">{{cite web
| url = http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=1986
| title = 1986 Award Winners & Nominees
| work = Worlds Without End
| accessdate=2009-08-03
}}</ref>

Science fiction author [[Michael Swanwick]] said, in an overview of McDevitt's work, "Jack's first novel, ''The Hercules Text'', appeared in 1986 as an [[Ace Science Fiction Specials|Ace Special]], putting him in the august company of such luminaries as [[William Gibson]], [[Kim Stanley Robinson]], and [[Lucius Shepard]]. It was a good book."<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.michaelswanwick.com/nonfic/mcdevitt.html |author= Swanwick, Michael |date= |title= Profile of Jack McDevitt |publisher= [[Michael Swanwick]] |accessdate= July 19, 2013}}</ref>


==Plot summary==
==Plot summary==
The story emphasizes the various characters' reactions to the event, according to their specific scientific background. For example a priest's speculations on the implications for religion, a psychologist's theorizing about the aliens' psyches, the scientists' consideration of the implications of the new knowledge for their own specialties and the president's concern for the implications for national defense.
The story emphasizes the various characters' reactions to the event, according to their specific scientific backgrounds. Examples include a priest's speculations on the implications for religion, a psychologist's theorizing about the aliens' psyches, the scientists' consideration of the implications of the new knowledge for their own specialties, and the president's concern for the implications for national defense.


The novel is set in an ongoing [[Cold War]] scenario. Unlike other [[First contact (science fiction)|First Contact]] stories, there is no dialogue between the senders of the message and mankind, as the received radio-signals have travelled through space for several thousand years.
The novel is set in an ongoing [[Cold War]] scenario. Unlike typical [[First contact (science fiction)|first contact]] stories, there is no dialogue between the senders of the message and mankind, as the received radio signals have traveled through space for one and a half million years.


===The Extraterrestrial Message===
===The extraterrestrial message===
The message is received with a large [[Radio Telescope]], the fictional Hercules Array, which was built on the [[far side of the Moon]]. It is later discovered, that the message was sent with an artificial [[Pulsar]] built by the alien race. This pulsar with the name ''[[Althea]]'' has been known by the scientists for years. It was believed to be a normal pulsar. However, what made it kind of special was its almost perfectly regular interval between the observed pulses.
The message is received with a large [[radio telescope]], the fictional Hercules Array, which was built on the [[far side of the Moon]]. It is later discovered that the message was sent with an artificial [[pulsar]] built by the alien race. This pulsar with the name ''[[Althea]]'' has been known by the scientists for years. It was believed to be a normal pulsar. However, what made it special was its almost perfectly regular interval between the observed pulses.


Then one day, some of the pulses suddenly fail to appear. This incident draws more attention to this particular pulsar, as the newly discovered gaps show a remarkable pattern:
One day, some of the pulses suddenly fail to appear. This incident draws more attention to this particular pulsar, as the newly discovered gaps show a remarkable pattern.


The first gap consists of one missing pulse, the second of two missing pulses and the third gap consists of four missing pulses. The following gaps also consist of numbers representing [[Power of two|powers of 2]] (8, 16, 32, 64, 128, ...). The transmission of these numbers goes on for a couple of days until the pulsar falls completely silent.
The first gap consists of one missing pulse, the second of two missing pulses and the third gap consists of four missing pulses. The following gaps also consist of numbers representing [[Power of two|powers of 2]] (2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, ...). The transmission of these numbers goes on for a couple of days until the pulsar falls completely silent.


The silence lasts for several weeks until it breaks again. This time, not just a simple sequence of numbers is received by the Hercules Array. Now, a very large and complex amount of binary data is sent from somewhere close to Althea. Scientists are able to decipher this data. It consists of several mathematical and physical formulae and simple graphical information. Later, more complex information is found, e.g. parts of the sender's [[DNA]], schematics for very advanced technology, philosophical texts or poems.
The silence lasts for several weeks, until it breaks again. This time, not just a simple sequence of numbers is received by the Hercules Array. Now, a very large and complex amount of binary data is sent from somewhere close to Althea. Scientists are able to decipher this data. It consists of several mathematical and physical formulae and simple graphical information. Later, more complex information is found, e.g., parts of the sender's [[DNA]], schematics for very advanced technology, philosophical texts or poems.


⚫
==Publication history==
===Addressed Questions===
⚫
''The Hercules Text'' has been rewritten by Jack McDevitt, before being re-published in the year 2000 as part of the two-novel-book ''Hello Out There'' ({{ISBN|1-892-06523-1}}). The story received some changes, taking into account the end of the Cold War and some technical developments such as the [[Hubble Space Telescope]] and the Internet.
Jack McDevitt addresses a couple of questions which are likely to arise if mankind should receive a message of extraterrestrial origin someday.


⚫
==See also==
==== Announcement of Receipt to the Public ====
⚫
* [[Contact (novel)|Contact]]
The protagonists discuss the possible impacts on mankind following the announcement of the receipt of the message.
⚫
* [[Communication with Extraterrestrial Intelligence]]


==References==
* How would religious groups react upon coming to know of a second [[Creation myth|creation]]?
{{reflist}}
* How would the proven existence of extraterrestrial life affect our daily life and culture?
* What would be the reaction of people who do not believe in the authenticity of the message?


==External links==
==== New Knowledge ====
* [http://www.worldswithoutend.com/novel.asp?ID=551 The Hercules Text] at Worlds Without End
The deciphered message contains a lot of information about advanced technology. How do people deal with this newly discovered advanced knowledge?


{{Locus Award Best First Novel}}
* What ideas on using it do scientists, politicians and the military have?
* Would mankind be prepared for the great responsibility that would come together with this powerful technology?
* How risky would it be for mankind to play with these totally new and not yet fully understood technologies?


{{Jack McDevitt novels}}
⚫
==Publication history==
⚫
''The Hercules Text'' has been rewritten by Jack McDevitt before being re-published in the year 2000 as part of the two-novel-book [[Hello Out There (book)]] (ISBN 1-892-06523-1). The story received some changes taking into account the end of the Cold War and some technical developments like the [[Hubble Space Telescope]] or the [[Internet]].

⚫
==See also==
⚫
* [[Contact (novel)|Contact]] by [[Carl Sagan]]
⚫
* [[Communication with Extraterrestrial Intelligence]]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Hercules Text}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hercules Text}}
[[Category:1986 novels]]
[[Category:1986 American novels]]
[[Category:American novels]]
[[Category:1986 science fiction novels]]
[[Category:Science fiction novels]]
[[Category:American science fiction novels]]
[[Category:Novels by Jack McDevitt]]
[[Category:Novels by Jack McDevitt]]
[[Category:Ace Books books]]
[[Category:Debut science fiction novels]]
[[Category:1986 debut novels]]
[[Category:Science fiction about first contact]]

Latest revision as of 17:29, 24 May 2024

The Hercules Text
First edition
AuthorJack McDevitt
Cover artistEarl Keleny
LanguageEnglish
GenreScience fiction
PublisherAce Books
Publication date
November 1986
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (Paperback)
ISBN0-441-37367-4
OCLC15476626

The Hercules Text is a 1986 science fiction novel by American writer Jack McDevitt. It tells the story of a message of intelligent extraterrestrial origin received by SETI scientists. The Hercules Text was nominated for the Philip K. Dick Award in 1986.[1]

Science fiction author Michael Swanwick said, in an overview of McDevitt's work, "Jack's first novel, The Hercules Text, appeared in 1986 as an Ace Special, putting him in the august company of such luminaries as William Gibson, Kim Stanley Robinson, and Lucius Shepard. It was a good book."[2]

Plot summary

[edit]

The story emphasizes the various characters' reactions to the event, according to their specific scientific backgrounds. Examples include a priest's speculations on the implications for religion, a psychologist's theorizing about the aliens' psyches, the scientists' consideration of the implications of the new knowledge for their own specialties, and the president's concern for the implications for national defense.

The novel is set in an ongoing Cold War scenario. Unlike typical first contact stories, there is no dialogue between the senders of the message and mankind, as the received radio signals have traveled through space for one and a half million years.

The extraterrestrial message

[edit]

The message is received with a large radio telescope, the fictional Hercules Array, which was built on the far side of the Moon. It is later discovered that the message was sent with an artificial pulsar built by the alien race. This pulsar with the name Althea has been known by the scientists for years. It was believed to be a normal pulsar. However, what made it special was its almost perfectly regular interval between the observed pulses.

One day, some of the pulses suddenly fail to appear. This incident draws more attention to this particular pulsar, as the newly discovered gaps show a remarkable pattern.

The first gap consists of one missing pulse, the second of two missing pulses and the third gap consists of four missing pulses. The following gaps also consist of numbers representing powers of 2 (2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, ...). The transmission of these numbers goes on for a couple of days until the pulsar falls completely silent.

The silence lasts for several weeks, until it breaks again. This time, not just a simple sequence of numbers is received by the Hercules Array. Now, a very large and complex amount of binary data is sent from somewhere close to Althea. Scientists are able to decipher this data. It consists of several mathematical and physical formulae and simple graphical information. Later, more complex information is found, e.g., parts of the sender's DNA, schematics for very advanced technology, philosophical texts or poems.

Publication history

[edit]

The Hercules Text has been rewritten by Jack McDevitt, before being re-published in the year 2000 as part of the two-novel-book Hello Out There (ISBN 1-892-06523-1). The story received some changes, taking into account the end of the Cold War and some technical developments such as the Hubble Space Telescope and the Internet.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "1986 Award Winners & Nominees". Worlds Without End. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
  2. ^ Swanwick, Michael. "Profile of Jack McDevitt". Michael Swanwick. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
[edit]
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