Chapter 4, Sphere

Chairman Hu's throat moved slightly, and he opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something

The tray is actually a precision electronic scale, which calculates the standard mass of the black ball

All four individuals have a background in science and engineering. Even Jiang Zi, who is a professional astronaut, studied electrical engineering during his undergraduate years. They are quite sensitive to numbers

As the scientific director of the Cassini Station, Hu Donghai is an experienced astrophysicist. He is fifty-five years old this year. At the age of forty-five, he first set foot on Titan, at a time when the Cassini Station had not yet been established. To date, he has spent a total of three years and six months on Titan, making him one of the longest-serving individuals at the Cassini Station in the world

Yes

Did you dig a ball?

2.7182818285 kilograms

What on earth is this thing? Hu Donghai asked

Satellite telemetry indicates that this lake resembles a shallow dish, a dish measuring 46 square kilometers. Both the surface and the bottom of the lake are extremely flat, with the deepest point being 44 centimeters and the shallowest point being 42 centimeters, resulting in a maximum variation of no more than 2 centimeters

Is this ... ... what you dug out from Napoleon's pit? Are you kidding me?

Half-Che Lake is the largest lake closest to Cassini, and its official name is Dongting Lake. However, it is evident that this lake is worlds apart from the Dongting Lake located 1.2 billion kilometers away, and it is unclear which deity whimsically chose such a name. The total area of Half-Che Lake exceeds 46 square kilometers, and standing by the lake, one cannot see the edge; however, the depth of the lake only reaches the calves of an adult.

The four men fell silent in shock; perhaps in their long careers of study and research, they had never experienced a moment like this, where their deeply entrenched worldview was shaken.

Titan is merely a cold, dark, and desolate celestial body, shrouded in perpetual gloom, characterized solely by storms and torrential rains, lacking significant research value and exceedingly dull

Jiangzi said

Each vehicle has six short legs, with a low chassis that allows it to crawl like a cockroach, taking small, shuffling steps at a very slow speed. However, it can overcome complex terrain and harsh weather conditions. When a storm arrives, even heavy excavators can easily roll away. At this moment, the transport vehicle will retract its head and flatten its body, with the bolts on its six legs deeply embedded in the ice beneath, securing itself firmly in place

The numbers flickered

2.718281828 kilograms

2.71828182846 kilograms

"Play with me and your whole family will die"

As you can see... Liang Jing stood opposite him, "It's a ball."

Napoleon pit ... ... '' Hu Donghai pondered for a moment, `` That geological pit by the half-foot lake? ''

Jiang Zi said this is a great treasure, and compared to it, the Nobel Prize is hardly worth mentioning. In hindsight, this statement holds true; it is indeed an astonishing discovery that could completely alter human history. If this news were to reach Earth, it would undoubtedly cause a sensation. Hu Donghai remains calm because he cannot yet ascertain the authenticity of this object. Unless it is a prank by someone who buried this thing underground, it can only originate from the outside, from non-human hands, from a completely unknown place. Hu Donghai remains calm because he cannot yet ascertain the authenticity of this object. Unless it is a prank by someone who buried this thing underground, it can only originate from the outside, from non-human hands, from a completely unknown place.

Director Hu Donghai was taken aback

Indeed, walking movement

The black sphere is securely placed inside a transparent vacuum glove box, surrounded by four fully armed men who wish to approach yet dare not come too close, as if the object within the box possesses a deadly allure and is extremely dangerous, akin to a gem radiating a cold light on the forehead of a venomous snake

Director Hu Donghai touched his face mask, his forehead drenched in sweat, and instinctively reached to wipe his sweat

Director Hu stared at the black sphere inside the box, which was sealed within a transparent acrylic glove box, while he himself was sealed within a protective suit, with both parties completely isolated in space, separated by at least three layers of transparent material

Anyone who is more than 200 meters away from the station must take a vehicle

The lake contains over 20 million cubic meters of liquid methane, serving as a natural fuel reservoir

In the center of the glove box is a silver tray, on which rests a black, smooth sphere with a diameter of approximately 30 centimeters. Its material is unknown; it does not appear to be metal, resembling something more like marble. The surface is exceptionally polished. According to Jiangzi and his colleagues, this object was excavated from the hard ice layer and permafrost. What is astonishing is that its surface bears no scratches whatsoever, allowing for a clear reflection of the laboratory's lighting and the shadows of the people.

"It doesn't seem to be naturally formed," Liang Jing shook his head, "I have been studying geology and minerals for so many years, and I have never seen anything like this."

"Old Hu, do you think this is the work of aliens?" Jiang Zi asked with a smile, "We have discovered extraterrestrial relics; we are destined to be remembered in history. You several great scientists should hurry up and study this thing; the Nobel Prize will surely be within your grasp. When the time comes, remember to share a bit of the prize with me... Wealth and honor, wealth and honor.

Having spent a long time at Cassini Station, the novelty has long since worn off, and disappointment outweighs hope. Hu Donghai has already turned into an old salted fish soaking in methane

Could it be that someone has fallen into the pit? Perhaps it is a part of some construction machinery?" Chairman Hu raised his head and shifted his gaze, "Check if there is a 'made in China' mark on it.

There is no made-in-China. Lou Qi shook his head, saying, "There are also no permits or phone numbers; none of the construction vehicles have such components. It does not resemble a man-made object from Earth"

Is this done by aliens? Did aliens lay this egg? Stop talking nonsense. Chairman Hu pressed the buttons on the glove box control panel to make the electronic scale's results more precise

2.72 kilograms

more precisely, one hundredth of a microgram

"Coincidence?" Lou Qi asked aloud

Jiang Zi, Lou Qi, and Liang Jing have changed into their clothes, the bulky and tightly fitted protective suits draped over them like transparent large sacks. In the laboratory, no one has spoken for a long time, only the heavy sound of breathing rises and falls.

As precise as one thousandth of a microgram

Can it be made even more precise? Liang Jing said softly

Jiang Zi extended his hands into the rubber gloves and gently touched the ball. The sensation was very cold; it had been excavated from the frozen soil layer at a temperature of minus one hundred seventy degrees. Now, it was close to room temperature, and such a significant temperature difference had not caused any impact. The black ball remained hard and smooth

Half-Che Lake is not far from Cassini Station, approximately a distance of 2 kilometers, and it takes only 30 minutes by vehicle. Due to the extremely low gravity and high winds on Titan, ordinary tracked engineering vehicles cannot operate normally here. All personnel transport vehicles within Cassini Station are low-profile, resembling crabs, and they move by walking.

Yes, dig a ball

This indicates that its constituent materials are beyond the imagination of most people. Although it appears to be smooth polished marble, it is evident that marble could not withstand such extreme temperature fluctuations

Accurate to micrograms

The three people around glanced over and were also taken aback

Director Hu waved his hand, signaling him to remain silent, and then pressed the button again to further refine the accuracy

The weight is accurate to the milligram, amounting to 2.718283 kilograms

2.718281828459 kilograms

Again precise, one-tenth microgram

What is Titan?

Naturally formed? Chairman Hu continued to ask, his attitude very cautious