All posts by Cathy Palmer-Lister

Books

Locus Forthcoming Books: May

Locus Forthcoming Books: May 2024

  • PETER S. BEAGLE • I’m Afraid You’ve Got Dragons • Orion UK/Gollancz, May 2024 (ya, hc, eb)
  • PETER S. BEAGLE • I’m Afraid You’ve Got Dragons • Simon & Schuster/Saga Press, May 2024 (ya, hc, eb)
  • JACK CAMPBELL • In Our Stars • Ace, May 2024 (hc, eb)
  • JACK CAMPBELL • In Our Stars • Titan Books UK, May 2024 (tp, eb)
  • V. CASTRO • Immortal Pleasures • Titan Books UK, May 2024 (1st UK, tp, eb)
  • GENEVIEVE COGMAN • Elusive • Macmillan/Tor UK, May 2024 (hc, eb)
  • DAVE DUNCAN • Corridor to Nightmare • Shadowpaw Press, May 2024 (tp, eb)
  • DAVE DUNCAN • The Traitor’s Son • Shadowpaw Press, May 2024 (tp, eb)
  • JASPER FFORDE • Red Side Story • Soho Press, May 2024 (1st US, hc, eb)
  • ANDREA HAIRSTON • Archangels of Funk • Tordotcom, May 2024 (hc, eb)
  • STEPHEN KING • You Like It Darker • Simon & Schuster/Scribner, May 2024 (c, hc, eb)
  • VICTOR MANIBO • Escape Velocity • Kensington/Ere¬whon, May 2024 (hc, eb)
  • JODY LYNN NYE, ED. • L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 40 • Galaxy, May 2024 (oa, tp, eb)
  • SUYI DAVIES OKUNGBOWA • Lost Ark Dreaming • Tordotcom, May 2024 (hc, eb)
  • SUZANNE PALMER • Ghostdrift • Astra House/DAW, May 2024 (hc, eb)
  • CHERIE PRIEST • Cinderwich • Apex Book Company, May 2024 (na, h, tp, eb)
  • HANNU RAJANIEMI • Darkome • Orion UK/Gollancz, May 2024 (tp, eb)
  • VERONICA ROTH • When Among Crows • Tor, May 2024 (na, hc, eb)
  • VERONICA ROTH • When Among Crows • Titan Books UK, May 2024 (na, hc, eb)
  • ROBERT J. SAWYER • The Downloaded • Shadowpaw Press, May 2024 (tp)
  • CATHERYNNE M. VALENTE • Space Oddity • Simon & Schuster/Saga Press, May 2024 (hc, eb)
  • NGHI VO • The Brides of High Hill • Tordotcom, May 2024 (na, hc, eb)
Astronomy News

The nuclear reactors that could power bases on the Moon

The nuclear reactors that could power bases on the Moon
By Sue Nelson,Features correspondent, BBC news,
Getty Images Nasa artist's impression of Moon reactor (Credit: Getty Images)
Getty Images Astronauts living on the Moon will need lots of power – but they can’t take fuel supplies with them. A new generation of miniature nuclear reactors could be the answer.

The 1970s TV series Space: 1999 began – like many a sci-fi drama – with a bang. A nuclear explosion tears the Moon out of Earth’s orbit and sends Moonbase Alpha and its inhabitants on an exciting adventure through deep space.

It obviously left an impression on a young Elon Musk. In 2017, when envisioning SpaceX’s plans for a future Moon base, he named it Alpha. Today, SpaceX is working with Nasa to return humankind to the Moon’s surface as part of the US space agency’s Artemis programme. The planned lunar outpost, however, has a more pragmatic working title: Artemis Base Camp.

Nasa and the US Department of State have issued combined guidelines for peaceful lunar exploration in the form of the Artemis Accords. So far 36 nations – including India, Japan, the UK, Canada, Australia, the United Arab Emirates and South Korea – have signed up.

China is also spearheading a base on the Moon with an equally practical title. The International Lunar Research Station, announced in 2021, currently has Russia, Belarus, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Venezuela, Egypt and South Africa as signatories.

But whichever coalition builds the first base on the Moon, they will all need a reliable power source. Across the world many companies and space agencies have all come to the same conclusion.

“The truth is that nuclear is the only option to power a moonbase,” says Simon Middleburgh from the Nuclear Futures Institute at Bangor University in Wales.

READ MORE

Fanzines

Lots of zines to share!

Quite a few zines arrived in the last few days, enjoy!

Latest update from Bill Burns:

  • Catching up after Eastercon, I’ve added these new issues at https://efanzines.com:
  • Opuntia #569, edited by Dale Speirs
  • Heath Row’s The Stf Amateur, April 2024 (apazine bundle)
  • Octothorpe #106 a regular fannish podcast by John Coxon, Alison Scott and Liz Batty, is now on line
  • Andy Hooper’s CAPTAIN FLASHBACK #64
  • Perry Middlemiss’s Perryscope #42
  • Guy Lillian’s The Zine Dump #59
  • Nic Farey’s This Here…#73
  • Leigh Edmonds’ Ornithopter Mk.IIb
  • Sandra Bond’s TAFF newsletter, Taffluorescence #3
  • Leybl Botwinik’s CyberCozen – Apr 2024
  • Dan Harper’s ABwoF #13
  • David Grigg’s The Megaloscope #12
  • Christopher J. Garcia’s Claims Department #69
  • Garth Spencer’s The Obdurate Eye #38
  • Octothorpe #107 a regular fannish podcast by John Coxon, Alison Scott and Liz Batty, is now on line

N3FReview202403

ES202404

Tightbeam355

FilmsFant_Apr2024

TH 73

CCApril2024-v01

Astronomy News

Clear Sky for Monday’s Eclipse

 Yes! Clear sky and mild temperature for viewing the eclipse.

How to view the eclipse in the Montreal area

Download the app: Developed by Quebec Federation of Amateur Astronomers (FAAQ), this app will give you information related to where you are standing. Also, it is good for years to come. While we won’t see another eclipse in Montreal in our lifetimes, they are fairly common and who knows? You might catch the bug and start chasing shadows. https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/quebec-app-helps-amateur-astronomers-watch-the-eclipse-1.6834789

There are two major hubs of activity for viewers in the Montreal area if you are ok with crowds.

Parc Jean-Dapeau  : Plan to get there early, the Metro is expected to be crowded. Free eclipse glasses will be distributed to the first 150 000 arrivals.

Montreal Science Centre :The Science Centre in collaboration with Cirque du Soleil will distribute 20,000 free pairs of eclipse glasses.

Watch to music: The OSM has a playlist on Spotify.  Click start right at 2:14 for best listening experience!

There is a small margin of error in the maps along the edges of the path of totality. Try to be closer to the centre, you wouldn’t want to miss this event by being a block too far away! If you are willing to travel, the best viewing, ie longest duration of totality, will be in the Eastern Townships.

Timing for the total solar eclipse in Montreal:

  • Eclipse begins: 2:14 p.m.
  • Total solar eclipse: 3:27 p.m.
  • Eclipse ends: 4:36 p.m.

What to watch for:

  • Just before totality, you may see ripples of light on the ground.These are the “shadow bands”.
  • Plants that close in the dark, such at the prayer plant or dandelions if any are out yet.
  • Pets may react strangely.(or they may be reacting to our strange behaviour!)
  • Colours, especially reds and blues, may look darker or brighter.
  • A drop in temperature
  • For a bit of fun, use a colander to view multiple little eclipses on the ground or project them onto a wall.
  • Shadows will appear sharper.
  • 360 degree sunset
  • Brightest stars, as well as Jupiter and Venus. Venus will be the brighter one.

Keep your glasses! The sun is approaching maximum, there are often sunspots you can see with your eclipse glasses. Just make sure to keep them in pristine condition and always check for scratches or pinholes.

Books

Locus Forthcoming Books: April

Locus Forthcoming Books: APR 2023

  • EDWARD ASHTON • Mal Goes to War • Rebellion/Solaris UK, Apr 2024 (tp, eb)
  • EDWARD ASHTON • Mal Goes to War • St. Martin’s, Apr 2024 (hc, eb)
  • LEIGH BARDUGO • The Familiar • Penguin Random House UK/Viking UK, Apr 2024 (h, hc, eb)
  • LEIGH BARDUGO • The Familiar • Macmillan/Flatiron, Apr 2024 (h, hc, eb)
  • S.A. BARNES • Ghost Station • Tor/Nightfire, Apr 2024 (h, hc, eb)
  • STEVEN BRUST • Lyorn • Tor, Apr 2024 (hc, eb)
  • V. CASTRO • Immortal Pleasures • Penguin Ran¬dom House/Del Rey, Apr 2024 (tp, eb)
  • RIN CHUPECO • Court of Wanderers • Hodder & Stoughton UK/Hodderscape, Apr 2024 (hc, eb)
  • RIN CHUPECO • Court of Wanderers • Simon & Schus¬ter/Saga Press, Apr 2024 (hc, eb)
  • P. DJÈLÍ CLARK • The Dead Cat Tail Assassins • Tordot¬com, Apr 2024 (hc, eb)
  • JULIE E. CZERNEDA • A Change of Place • Astra House/DAW, Apr 2024 (tp, eb)
  • SARAH BETH DURST • The Lies Among Us • Amazon/Lake Union, Apr 2024 (tp, eb)
  • H.E. EDGMON • Merciless Saviors • Daphne Press UK, Apr 2024 (ya, hc, eb)
  • H.E. EDGMON • Merciless Saviors • St. Martin’s/Wednesday Books, Apr 2024 (ya, hc, eb)
  • IAN C. ESSLEMONT • Forge of the High Mage • Tor, Apr 2024 (1st US, tp, hc, eb)
  • DANIEL M. FORD • Necrobane • Tor, Apr 2024 (hc, eb)
  • MAX GLADSTONE • Wicked Problems • Tordotcom, Apr 2024 (tp, eb)
  • LIZ KERIN • First Light • Tor/Nightfire, Apr 2024 (h, hc, eb)
  • GREG KEYES • The Wind that Sweeps the Stars • Titan Books UK, Apr 2024 (pb, eb)
  • MARK LAWRENCE • The Lie That Broke the World • Ace, Apr 2024 (hc, eb)
  • MARK LAWRENCE • The Lie That Broke the World • Harper Voyager UK, Apr 2024 (hc, eb)
  • ANN LECKIE • Lake of Souls • Orbit US, Apr 2024 (c, hc, eb)
  • ANN LECKIE • Lake of Souls • Orbit UK, Apr 2024 (c, tp, eb)
  • DARCIE LITTLE BADGER • Sheine Lende • Levine Querido, Apr 2024 (ya, hc, eb)
  • CIXIN LIU • A View from the Stars • Tor, Apr 2024 (c, hc, eb)
  • TARAN MATHARU • Dragon Rider • Harper Voyager US, Apr 2024 (hc, eb)
  • TARAN MATHARU • Dragon Rider • Harper Voyager UK, Apr 2024 (hc, eb)
  • SEANAN MCGUIRE • The Proper Thing • Subterranean Press, Apr 2024 (c, hc, eb)
  • SAMANTHA MILLS • The Wings Upon Her Back • Tachyon Publications, Apr 2024 (tp, eb)
  • THOMAS OLDE HEUVELT • Oracle • Tor/Nightfire, Apr 2024 (1st US, h, hc, eb)
  • CHRISTOPHER RUOCCHIO • Disquiet Gods • Bloomsbury UK/Head of Zeus/Ad Astra, Apr 2024 (hc, eb)
  • CHRISTOPHER RUOCCHIO • Disquiet Gods • Baen, Apr 2024 (hc, eb)
  • SALMAN RUSHDIE • Knife: Meditations After an Attempt¬ed Murder • Penguin Random House/Random House, Apr 2024 (nf, b, hc, eb)
  • R.A. SALVATORE • Pinquickle’s Folly • Simon & Schuster/Saga Press, Apr 2024 (hc, eb)
  • SOFIA SAMATAR • The Practice • the Horizon, and the Chain, Tordotcom, Apr 2024 (na, tp, eb)
  • DAVID J. SCHOW • Suite 13 • Subterranean Press, Apr 2024 (c, hc, eb)
  • DAVID WEBER • Toll of Honor • Baen, Apr 2024 (hc, eb)
  • ALIYA WHITELEY • Polestars 6: Drive or Be Driven • New¬Con Press UK, Apr 2024 (c, tp, hc, eb)
  • LIZ WILLIAMS • Polestars 7: Back Through the Flaming Door • NewCon Press UK, Apr 2024 (c, tp, hc, eb)
  • JOHN WISWELL • Someone You Can Build a Nest In • Astra House/DAW, Apr 2024 (hc, eb)
  • JOHN WYNDHAM • Logical Fantasy: The Many Worlds of John Wyndham • Subterranean Press, Apr 2024 (c, hc, eb)
Fanzines

Zines to share!

From Bill Burns, an update to e-fanzines

Another productive week for fanzines, with seven new issues at https://efanzines.com

  • J.L. Farey’s JenZine #9
  • Alan White’s Pixel Dreams #3 [Banned by Facebook!]
  • Bruce Gillespie’s SF Commentary #115
  • WOOF #36 (2011), Randy Byers, Official Collator
  • Henry Grynnsten’s Wild Ideas #45
  • Opuntia #568, edited by Dale Speirs
  • Taral Wayne’s Dark Toys #77
  • Littlebrook #13, edited by Jerry Kaufman & Suzanne Tompkins

From the N3F: FanAct202403

Television

The Three-Body Problem on Netflix

The Three-Body Problem: The ‘unfilmable’ Chinese sci-fi novel set to be Netflix’s new hit 3 Body Problem

By James Balmont,Features correspondent BBC

From the Game of Thrones showrunners, Netflix’s new series 3 Body Problem is adapted from a bestselling Chinese sci-fi novel that became a huge hit, despite China’s historic censorship of the genre.

One day in Beijing, in 1967, astrophysics student Ye Wenjie witnesses her father being beaten to death by paramilitary forces. Later, she joins a military program in Mongolia as part of an agreement to avoid her own punishment, on the condition that she can never leave the base. At this chilly outpost, beneath a giant parabolic antenna, she loses all faith in mankind. She commits her life to her research, making a scientific breakthrough that leads to the broadcasting of a high-powered radio signal into deep space. This action will have grave consequences, and it all stems from that fateful day in Beijing.

This is merely an overview of the universe-spanning plot of The Three-Body Problem – a science fiction epic that also takes in secret science programs; an alien species in a solar system beyond the stars; and a strange video game depicting the rise and fall of great civilisations over thousands of years. Beijing-born Liu Cixin’s bestselling novel, the first in the Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy, was once thought unadaptable for its brain-rattling time jumps, philosophical dilemmas and dense explorations of scientific theory (a Chinese film adaptation was shelved in 2017). But it now reaches global screens via a Netflix series – the belated comeback project of Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and DB Weiss. Early reviews are split over whether they’ve quite pulled off the gambit.

READ MORE

MonSFFA Website

Lots of zines to share!

Lots of zines arrived in the past few days. Enjoy!

From R-Laurraine Tutihasi: PurrMew90

From Joe Major, Alexiad: Alex133

From Garth Spencer: SHOOTING MY CUFFS 12

From the N3F, some of their own zines, and some pass-alongs:

Tightbeam354, De Profundis #594 – February 2024, MT VOID 2304,  ObdurateEye341, Space Cowboy’s Accretion #5 Jan 2024, NAPA269

Updates from Bill Burns. Click here to read ! https://efanzines.com

  • Pete Young’s Every Place I Read Your Goddamn Fanzine #2
  • Nic Farey’s The Incompleat Register 2024 Results – details of the 2023 FAAn Awards
  • Opuntia #567, edited by Dale SpeirsOctothorpe #104, a regular fannish podcast by John Coxon, Alison Scott and Liz Batty, is now on line
  • Kat Templeton’s Rhyme & Paradox #5 and Notes on a Saturday Morning
  • Journey Planet #79, edited by James Bacon, Chris Garcia et al.
  • Heath Row’s The Stf Amateur, March 2024 (apazine bundle)
  • Garth Spencer’s The Obdurate Eye #37
  • Guy H. Lillian III’s Spartacus #71
  • Ethel the Aardvark #224 and archive issues 22, 176
  • WOOF #35 (2010), Alan Stewart, Official Collator
  • Perry Middlemiss’s Small Steps Down a Local Street #2
  • Leigh Edmonds’ Ornithopter Mk.IIa
  • Octothorpe #105 a regular fannish podcast by John Coxon, Alison Scott and Liz Batty, is now on line
  • Leybl Botwinik’s CyberCozen – Mar 2024
  • Dan Harper’s ABwoF #12
  • Pete Young’s Every Place I Read Your Goddamn Fanzine #3 and Every Place I Read Your Goddamn Book #1

 

Astronomy News, Space Travel / Exploration

Elon Musk’s Starship goes ‘farther than ever’

 SpaceX launches Starship for the third time.

By Jonathan Amos,Science correspondent, BBC
US company SpaceX’s Starship rocket made major progress in its third test flight on Thursday, completing many of its objectives.

The two-stage vehicle produced a clean getaway from its Texas launch site, to send its upper portion around the globe to a re-entry over the Indian Ocean.

Radio contact was lost towards the end but the firm said it was “incredible to see how far we got this time around”.

SpaceX boss Elon Musk was delighted with the outcome of the flight, too.

He posted on X, formerly Twitter, that “Starship will take humanity to Mars”.

 Huge crowds had gathered on nearby beaches to watch the launch

When the 120m-tall (395ft) vehicle launched in April and November last year, it blew apart not long into the missions.

Mr Musk was looking for significant improvement from his SpaceX team this time – and he got it.

The rocket left its launch mount with a huge rumble from its 33 engines, and the vehicle then proceeded to step perfectly through all of the anticipated phases in the climb to space.

Separation of the bottom half, the booster, from the top half, the Ship, occurred right on cue, two minutes and 44 seconds into the flight.

The ship then powered on, crossing the Atlantic and southern Africa.

Video cameras sent back spectacular views of Earth from more than 100 miles up.

SpaceX Ship above the Earth
SpaceX The Ship was aiming for a splashdown in the Indian Ocean

Then came the task of re-entry, when the ship needed to descend to a splashdown in the ocean.

Video imagery once again captured incredible scenes as hot gases enveloped the vehicle, just before radio contact was interrupted.

Controllers reported shortly after that the Ship had been “lost”, presumably because it had broken up.

SPACEX Plasma
SPACEX The hot gases (plasma) of re-entry surrounded the ship as it came down

Not every milestone was ticked off. It was hoped the booster after separation might have been able to power its way back to a controlled drop into the sea just off the Texas coast. It got close but it looked as though the vehicle came in way too fast and was lost before hitting the water.

The Ship, too, was expected to re-ignite an engine to initiate the re-entry, but this was skipped for a reason not immediately apparent.

READ MORE  Video, photos