Chapter 209: Black Hole’s Romance (2)

Chapter 209 – Black Hole’s Romance (2)

“Two.

“One!”

As the camera moved, the eight million viewers in the livestream rooms simultaneously saw a bright spot appear in the dark space.

That was the sun that nurtured human civilization. It was the absolute master of the Solar System.

Even when separated by hundreds of astronomical units in the dark universe, the sun still looked as dazzling as ever. It radiated a mother’s light that passed through the screen and shined upon everyone’s faces.

Meanwhile, as the camera continued moving, the “warm” light actually started getting distorted inch by inch!

It was as if a terrifying creature had just taken a bite out of the sun!

One second later, one-third of the sun got “eaten”…

Three seconds later, half of the sun got “eaten”…

Five seconds later…

The darkness hidden in the surrounding deep space finally “devoured” the entire sun. But then, as if the tiny sun got enlarged, parts of it started escaping the darkness, enveloping it!

In the end, a twisted orb with a bright exterior and black interior took form!

The black hole…had appeared!

Simultaneously, a magnificent symphony started playing in the five livestream rooms, further enhancing this great moment!

[A black hole! It’s really a black hole!]

[To think you can use the sun as a background to expose the black hole’s full appearance… Awesome!]

[This is called the Einstein ring. Although the correct angle is tough to find, it is still impressive nonetheless!]

[I see it. The dark spot in the middle is the black hole, right?]

[How beautiful…]

[How about you try touching it?]

[Touch and die.]

[Crap!]

[Quick! Take a screenshot!]

[Looking at it, isn’t the black hole just a few centimeters wide?]

[???]

[Honestly, this is a very touching moment.]

At this time, let alone the astronomers, even the ordinary people watching the livestream felt an inexplicable urge to weep.

This was the yearning and admiration intelligent life held toward the world outside the “well.”

On November 15, 2020, the human race’s inexperienced eyes finally saw the existence of a black hole.

This wasn’t done through virtual simulation, theoretical depiction, or information imaging.

Instead, the black hole was clearly seen using through optics with the naked eye…

There was no doubt that this scene would forever be recorded in the history of human civilization, never to be erased.

This was a milestone belonging to mankind!

“Many people may ask me…”

While hovering in space, Chen Yu looked at the black hole encased by the sun and spoke with a slightly trembling voice, “Why risk your life to find the black hole at such a close distance?

“Yes. I am not an astronaut, an astronomer, a physicist, or a fan of the universe. So, why would I do this?”

Lowering his raised arms, Chen Yu faintly said, “Director Wang Yifang of the Chinese Academy of Sciences once said that while ordinary people don’t need to understand science, but they must know how to appreciate it. The gravitational waves produced by the merger of two black holes have traveled for 1.5 billion years just to let us have a look at them… Isn’t this kind of romantic?

“Now, a black hole that has wandered the universe for 13.7 billion years has entered the Solar System we live in. And this black hole has spent more than a billion years here patiently waiting for mankind to develop into the nuclear age and discover its existence. Isn’t this an even greater romance?

“Regardless of whether I am an astronaut, an astronomer, or a fan of the universe, as long as I have a mind, I must use my brain cells to record this romance forever in my mind.”

Patting his chest, Chen Yu smiled and said, “This is the soul that makes us stand out from the billions of other creatures living in the world, and its name is desire.”

[Tears are filling my eyes!]

[Full marks for your composition.]

[Humans really are amazing…]

[Its name is called acting cool. ( ͡°͜ʖ͡°)]

[Shedding tears.]

[Begone, tear monster!]

[If humans can survive this disaster…]

[Crap! Can you not set up a flag?! Are you cursing us?!]

After waiting for a full five minutes, Chen Yu turned the camera around and focused it on himself.

“The black circle enveloped by the sun is the black hole. This is also the only way for humans to see a black hole with the naked eye. Truthfully, it’s difficult to find this kind of angle. After all, that black hole’s Schwarzschild radius is only around a meter. You can easily imagine how difficult it is to locate a one-meter circle from 7,000 kilometers away, not to mention getting it to overlap with the sun that’s only a few centimeters larger.

“The image everyone saw just now has actually been magnified countless times by a gravitational lens. The black hole’s real size is much smaller.

“Meanwhile, the reason why I could find this angle is because of the accurate gravitational data provided by the protective suit. If we rely on modern technology, it is almost impossible to locate this angle.”

Stretching out his hand, Chen Yu pointed at the black hole. He then ramped up the plasma engine and slowly retreated away from the black hole. “It is hard to describe just how fearsome a black hole is. Despite looking like a small ball that’s just a few centimeters in diameter from 7,000 kilometers away, it is actually capable of exerting a gravitational acceleration of over 1,000 meters per second on me.

“That’s over 100 times the gravity of Earth! Without this protective suit, I would’ve been torn to shreds already.

“So, I advise everyone to not get so close to a black hole.”

[Only you will.]

[Only you will. +1]

[Only you will. +2]

[Can I go if I ride my beloved scooter?]

Under the fully pressurized plasma engine’s thrust, Chen Yu arrived back inside the island-building ship’s hall after just 10 minutes of flying through space.

Half of the 14 researchers were currently focused on making calculations inside the hall, while the other half were holding onto their phones and blankly staring at Chen Yu.

“How was it?” Chen Yu asked, “Did the black hole look good?”

In response, the researchers exchanged looks with each other before saying in unison, “There’s no internet in the deep sea…”

Chen Yu: “…”

The researchers: “…”

“Mhm, well, you guys can watch the video recording once you head back. It doesn’t make much difference.” Turning around, Chen Yu manipulated the Interstellar Portal’s virtual projection and established a new spatial link. He then turned back to the researchers and stepped aside, saying, “I’ve connected the portal to the aerospace institute’s plaza. Make sure to take away all your equipment. Don’t leave anything behind.”

Seeing that Chen Yu was chasing them off, the person in charge of the researchers stepped forward and bowed, “Thank you very much for your support in helping us get valuable data.”

“You’ve also helped me calculate a safe travel distance. It’s a mutual benefit.”

“We will work together with the global astronomy community to make plans for dealing with the asteroid that’s going to hit earth three months later. We might need your help at that time, Mr. King.”

“I know.” Chen Yu nodded. “This is also the goal of my livestream this time. I wanted to let the world’s governments witness the black hole’s existence and not hide the asteroid impact incident.”

“We will take our leave, then.” The person in charge bowed once more.

“Goodbye.”

After waiting for the researchers to pack up and leave, Chen Yu disconnected the spatial link and walked into the maintenance pod to remove the protective suit. He then returned to the study upstairs.

After tidying up his suit, he sat on the chair in his initial posture. He then faced the camera and crossed his fingers.

“There is no doubt that a black hole exists in our Solar System. Next, we have to solve the actual problems. Just how are we supposed to prevent asteroid “Bell,” which has had its orbit changed by the black hole, from hitting Earth three months later?

“Bell is a hazardous Almo-type asteroid. I believe the world’s governments will know more about it than me, so I won’t go into details about Bell’s mass and orbit.

“Taking care of this asteroid is currently beyond my capabilities. This is a matter for all of mankind. Those with money should contribute money, and those with ideas should contribute ideas. Two weeks…”

Stretching out a finger, Chen Yu calmly said, “I will only give you two weeks to plan a practical solution and prepare the necessary supplies. After these two weeks, I will start another livestream and personally complete the plan.

“I don’t have anything more to say, so this is it for today’s additional livestream.”

Standing up, Chen Yu straightened his mask and said, “Everyone, there is no need to panic.

“Hope is always with us…”