Stephenson has set up a scenario and then follows out what happens, projecting ways that humans might cope with a catastrophe that will wipe out mankind. This effort is some of the most thought-provoking of hard SF. Governments, advised by scientists, move to produce a Cloud Ark of habitats that will float in space, carrying and preserving the legacy of Earth, including genetic, cultural and technical data for the use of future pioneers. The rain of debris is expected to last about 10,000 years and wipe out life as we know it on Earth. Everyone watches with awe, but soon astrophysicists produce models that indicate the pieces will continue to break up and fall on the earth, eventually producing rings like Saturn’s. The moon breaks apart because of some unknown agency. It was published by William Morrow/Harper-Collins. This is one of the Hugo finalists in the Best Novel category.
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