2. Introduction to the lesson, "The Comet I"

"The comet I," a science fiction short story by Jayant Narlikar, is about a newly discovered comet and its predicted effects. The new comet was discovered by an amateur scientist named Manoj Dutta. Manoj Dutta's wife, a superstitious person, believed it would bring ill-luck. While the discovery of Comet Dutta appeared to many to be no different than the previously discovered comets, only a few people saw the difference and the dangers that came with it. While the comet was scientifically proven to pose a threat to Earth, the story conveys a message that not all discoveries are harmless.

 

Major characters in "The comet I":

 

Manoj Dutta: An amateur astronomer

Indrani Debi: Manoj Dutta's wife

Sir John Macpherson: The British Government's Defence Science Advisor