CHAPTER 9: DOUBLE DAWN
 
 

9.1
NOVA EFFECTS

When the Leonov is safely on its way back to Earth, mission control sends the crew a message of congratulations, as well as a request. The scientists at mission control want the crew to study the effects of the nova on Jupiter's moons.
   Astronomers can perform experiments to determine the nova's effects. Below is a list of results from such experiments. To learn a result, an astronomer must make a success- ful calculate check, which requires ½ hour. The characters must carry out their experi- ments soon.; in 12 hours, the Leonov will be too far away from the moons to gather enough useful data to conduct these experi- ments.

MAGNIFICATION: Under the highest mag- nification, Europa seems to have a green tint. Its features are hazy. Io still has a reddish tint. Jupiter is extremely bright - its surface appears similar to that of the sun's.

REFLECTIVITY: Europa's reflectivity is lower than it was before the nova. Io's reflectivity is nearly the same as it was.

RADIATION: Europa has the same back- ground radiation as before. Io's radiation level has increased. Jupiter's radiation level is equal to the level of a small star's.

MAGNETISM: A small magnetic irregular- ity, similar to the monolith's magnetic field, exists on Europa's surface. Io's magnetic field is slightly stronger than before. Jupi- ter's magnetic field is much stronger than it was.

ATMOSPHERE: Europa now has an atmo- sphere, which is composed of methane, nitrogen, and oxygen. Io, which had a thin sulfuric atmosphere, now has none. Jupiter no longer has an atmosphere.

SURFACE TEMPERATURE: Europa has a surface temperature of 10 degrees Centi- grade. Io's surface temperature is 300 degrees Centigrade. Jupiter's surface tem- perature is 3000 degrees Centigrade.

GRAVITY MASS: Europa's mass and gravity haven't changed. Io's gravity is .11, 

 slightly less than before. Jupiter lost some mass in the explosion so its gravitational field is slightly reduced. However, because Jupiter shrank so much, its surface gravity is now over 50 times that of Earth's.

DIMENSIONS: Europa has the same diameter as before. Io's diameter is slightly smaller and more irregular than it was. Jupi- ter's diameter has shrunk drastically; it is only 20% of what it used to be.

COMPOSITION: Europa shows signs of complex molecules and a measurable level of chlorophyll. Io is still high in sulfur. Jupiter is now mostly hydrogen and helium; at its core, these elements are undergoing fusion because of the extreme pressure and heat.

After completing the above experiments, any astronomer may try to either identify or calculate the Nova's effects. When an astro- nomer's check is successful, read the follow- ing boxed text.

Jupiter has become a miniature star, and its moons have become miniature planets. Io lost some of its mass in the explosion. The water on the surface of Europa and Ganymede turned to vapor. Both moons now have atmospheres.

When the crew calls mission control to report their findings, they receive some good news. Tensions have lessened be- tween the United States and the Soviet Union, and peace talks are scheduled in Geneva.

9.2
BOWMAN'S LAST VISIT

Run this encounter only if the PCs have not come to the conclusions that Jupiter has become a star and Europa is now a habit- able planet, with life on it. This encounter takes place as the crew sits around the table in the ward room.
 

Suddenly, David Bowman appears in the room. A nebulous cloud of light floats beside him. He looks just as he did when he left Earth 9 years ago. As he stands before yo, his appearance wavers - as if he were growing old one second, then becoming young again the next.
   Bowman says to you calmly, "Do not let the governments of Earth land on Europa. The new life there is fragile, and the monoliths will protect it. Let the symbol of Jupiter as a new sun guide the Earth into peaceful times.It is time for HAL and me to go." The image of Bowman and the cloud of light disappear.

9.3
EPILOGUE

The Soviets put the Americans into the hibernacula. The Americans will spend the next 2 years there as the Leonov makes its way back to Earth.
 
 

A new, double dawn rises over Earth