Fifth Planet (novel)

Fifth Planet
	First edition
Author	Fred Hoyle and Geoffrey Hoyle
Language	English
Genre	Science fiction
Publisher	Heinemann
Publication date	1963
Media type	Print (book)
Pages	224

Fifth Planet is a science fiction novel written by astrophysicist Sir Fred Hoyle and his son Geoffrey Hoyle.[1]

Plot summary

Another star is due to pass close to the sun, close enough for conventional spacecraft to reach it. The first planets observed are four gas giants, but then an inner 'Fifth Planet' is found. Signs of chlorophyll are detected, suggesting that it supports life. Rival Soviet and US expeditions are launched to visit it. (The world balance as it existed in 1963 is assumed to be still in place.)

One important aspect of the plot is that the Soviet expedition includes the first woman in space. This fictional milestone was eclipsed by reality soon after publication, when Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space on Vostok 6 in June 1963.

References

Nicholls, Peter; Clute, John, eds. (1993). "Fred Hoyle". The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction. London: Orbit Books. ISBN 978-1-85723-124-3.

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[clutsf1-1] Nicholls, Peter; Clute, John, eds. (1993). "Fred Hoyle". The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction. London: Orbit Books. ISBN 978-1-85723-124-3.