Chapter 328: Crossing s.p.a.ce-Time!
Chapter 328 – Crossing s.p.a.ce-Time!
Normally, after having found evidence of a possible alien civilization that was more advanced than human civilization, the logical move for Chen Yu to make would be to return back to Earth as quickly as possible to ensure the safety of his pa.s.sengers.
However, Chen Yu was extremely confident in the Type-R s.p.a.cecraft.
Human civilization in the year 6877 was definitely an advanced civilization that spanned across multiple planetary systems.
He refused to believe that the civilization residing in Alpha Centauri could be stronger than human civilization in the seventh millennium.
In the world of science and technology, just a gap of one era could lead to an immense difference, let alone a gap of several thousand years.
Hence, even if the Type-R s.p.a.cecraft was only a civilian s.p.a.cecraft, Chen Yu was confident it could beat any Type II civilization or below based on the Kardashev scale.
Meanwhile, a Type II civilization couldn’t appear in this triple star system. Otherwise, the solar system, which was only a short distance away, would’ve long since been colonized.
Not to mention, if the blue orb really was a probe, it would’ve undoubtedly detected the existence of his party. For the sake of Earth’s safety, he had an obligation to investigate the Alpha Centauri system clearly and resolve any problems that may pose a threat to Earth.
Standing in place, Chen Yu looked toward the two dazzling stars ahead as his brain began making various plans.
I wonder if the detonation of a star here would affect the solar system…
A short moment later, the s.p.a.cecraft broke free from Proxima Centauri b’s gravitational field. Chen Yu immediately had the s.p.a.cecraft circle around the planet at the max speed of its normal navigation mode.
Looking at the red planet underneath his feet, Chen Yu explained to the camera, “I am currently making a 360-degree scan of the planet to see whether it houses any life or not. The s.p.a.cecraft has two built-in scanning systems; one is an isotope a.n.a.lyzer, and the other is a circular polarization life scanner. With the two working together, it is possible to complete a three-dimensional reconnaissance of the planet efficiently.
“The theory behind the isotope a.n.a.lyzer was born in 3155 and actualized around the year 4000. As the name suggests, it is used to detect different nuclides of the same element with the same number of protons and a different number of neutrons. It is possible to accurately determine whether there are more than the standard amounts of ‘artificially’ manufactured elements on the planet by detecting these elements. If there are, it means that there is an intelligent civilization here, and the level of civilization has reached the atomic level.
“The circular polarization life scanner’s theory was born around 2019 and actualized around the 30th century. The detailed explanation for circular polarization is complicated and involves physics, optics, and various complex formulas. So, I’ll just state a brief explanation. It doesn’t matter even if you don’t understand it.
“The amino acids that make up human proteins are all left-handed versions of their respective molecules. When light interacts with these long chains, they become circularly polarized. Their electromagnetic waves will spiral clockwise or counterclockwise and travel outward. The so-called circular polarization scan is meant to detect any circular polarization occurring on the planet. If there is, it means that there are living things here.
“Of the two scanning systems, the latter determines whether a living creature exists, and the former determines whether the creature in question has reached the level of an intelligent civilization.
“Of course, ironically…” Shrugging, Chen Yu said, “According to the knowledge I obtained, the first time the circular polarization life scanner was put into action wasn’t to search for alien life, but for war instead. Gatherings of people can be detected through the use of satellites equipped with this life scanner, and the information collected can be used to launch targeted attacks.”
[…]
[As expected of humans.]
[As expected of humans. +1]
[What a b.l.o.o.d.y d.a.m.ned bright idea…]
[It’s over. With the UP’s reminder, the various nations will definitely start researching this technology.]
[They might’ve long since started on it already.]
[This is the last episode. Please cherish it.]
During Chen Yu’s explanation, the Type-R s.p.a.cecraft had completed a full scan of Proxima Centauri b. However, both scanners had yielded negative results.
Indifferently, Chen Yu adjusted the s.p.a.cecraft’s flight angle and had it fly along the planet’s equator.
Several minutes later, the s.p.a.cecraft circled around the planet once more. However, its scanners still failed to find any traces of life.
“It seems our alien civilization isn’t on this planet.” Adjusting the camera toward the two distant stars, Chen Yu said, “This is within expectations. This planet simply isn’t suited for life. Let’s take a look at the two other stars. I’m guessing that there should be quite a few planets around them.
“The journey to Alpha Centauri A and B is very long, so we’ll need to enter FTL navigation mode. However, to enter FTL navigation, we’ll need to fly out of the red dwarf’s gravitational field, and this process will take at least a dozen minutes.
“Let’s play a fun game during these dozen minutes.”
After saying so, Chen Yu pointed at the solar system’s direction and asked, “Look there. You can see a star, right?”
Both the camera and the crowd aboard the s.p.a.cecraft followed Chen Yu’s finger.
“Beautiful lady.” Walking up to Xing Biqi, who stood at a lonely corner, Chen Yu asked, “I noticed that you’ve been looking at that star all this time. Do you know where that is?”
“The solar system.”
“How did you know?”
“I-I remember its location…”
Sensing the gaze of the surrounding people focusing on her, Xing Biqi couldn’t help but grow a little nervous. And when she thought about how over a hundred million people in the livestream rooms were looking at her as well, she started feeling a little dizzy.
“That’s right. The solar system is over there.”
After patting the girl on her shoulders, Chen Yu walked into the crowd and said casually, “We have spent over seven hours traveling across a distance of four light-years. I’m sure some of you must be wondering whether we can see the Earth four years ago if we look back at it now, right?”
At Chen Yu’s words, the eyes of both interactive event partic.i.p.ants and the livestream’s audience glowed brightly!
This was a fascinating experiment for everyone.
“The answer is yes. The solar system we see from our current position is the solar system four years ago. With the s.p.a.cecraft’s built-in telescope technology, it is entirely possible to obtain most of the light information coming from four light-years away. By utilizing the seventh millennium’s model-filling technology, restoring Earth’s image wouldn’t be a problem.
“Now, let us begin taking a look at 2017’s Earth.”
After saying so, Chen Yu stopped blabbering and activated the s.p.a.cecraft’s zoom function in the solar system’s direction.
Click!
Click!
Click…
As the distance grew closer, the originally dazzling star transformed into something resembling a full moon. Jupiter and Saturn could also be seen reflecting the sun’s light nearby.
“Do you see it? That’s the solar system four years ago. The position of the planets is completely different from present times.”
After saying so, Chen Yi continued zooming in.
Click…
A blue planet appeared on the display…
[Amazing!]
[That’s Earth four years ago!]
[I’ve time-traveled!]
[Can you zoom in any further? Show us Earth’s internal organs.]
[I’ve decided! I’m learning astrophysics from now on! It’s so romantic!]
[Brother, trust me. You’d rather study medicine than get involved in astrophysics. It still isn’t too late to turn back.]
[It feels like I’m watching a movie. How exciting.]
“Everyone on Earth is currently living in the year 2021, yet you are watching 2017’s Earth through my livestream. From a certain perspective, you can consider this to be a type of time travel.
“However, I cannot arbitrarily adjust the camera angle from my current position, so we can only see a corner of the eastern hemisphere. We can barely see the border of China. That there should be…the boundary between Yunnan and Guizhou, right? Let’s continue zooming in and test the limits of the s.p.a.cecraft’s telescope.”
After saying so, Chen Yu zoomed in on the image once more.
Including Xing Biqi, everyone inside the spherical hall hurriedly moved behind Chen Yu and widened their eyes, eagerly awaiting the magical scene that would appear next…