Planet Gliese 581d, viewed from space.
CHAPTER 7 – A BIG, BLUE PLANET
13:18 (Universal Time)
Monday, May 17, 2320
Command bridge of the A.M.S. KOSTROMA
Approaching the planet Gliese 581d
Hardly anyone was speaking on the bridge as its crew watched the big, blue planet now nearly filling their forward viewing holographic screens. Tina, like Shanandar and Gerald Holmes, could only admire the deep blue orb of Gliese 581d, with white streams denoting atmospheric cloud formations blown around by winds. There were however no apparent land masses to be seen.
‘’An ocean planet!’’ said softly to herself Tina, captivated by the image of the blue planet. ‘’It is beautiful! Please, Patricia, tell me that it has a breathable atmosphere.’’
‘’Well, I can’t certify for the exact composition, tempe
