Fifth Planet (novel)
A novel about a life-bearing planet and rival space expeditions.
Fifth Planet is a science fiction novel co-authored by astrophysicist Sir Fred Hoyle and his son Geoffrey Hoyle. The plot centers on a star called Helios that is set to pass near the Sun, close enough for ordinary spacecraft to travel to it. Four gas giants are the first planets found orbiting Helios, but later an inner world, named Achilles, is discovered. Chlorophyll is detected there, indicating the presence of life. Rival Soviet and American expeditions are launched to visit Achilles, with the novel assuming the global political balance of 1963 remains intact, though Britain has taken on the neutral role once held by Switzerland. The story’s central idea emerges during a conversation between two members of the US crew as they explore Achilles, which seems to be a gentle, grassy world. One crew member feels uneasy, comparing their situation to fish in a pond on Earth “swimming around thinking fishy thoughts,” and wonders if they might be like those fish, unaware of something else nearby. Shortly after, an alien presence begins to make itself felt. A notable plot point is that the Soviet mission includes the first woman in space, a fictional achievement that was soon surpassed by real events when Valentina Tereshkova flew on Vostok 6 in June 1963.
Quick Facts
- Author
- Fred Hoyle and Geoffrey Hoyle
- Language
- English
- Genre
- Science fiction
- Publisher
- Heinemann
- Release Date
- 1963
- Media Type
- Print (book)
- Pages
- 224
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The plot centers on the star Helios passing close enough to the Sun for conventional spacecraft to reach it. Four gas giants are observed, then an inner 'Fifth Planet' named Achilles is found, with signs of chlorophyll suggesting life. Rival Soviet and US expeditions are launched to visit it, with the world balance as it existed in 1963 assumed to be in place, though Britain holds a neutral position once held by Switzerland.
Reader's Guide
The novel's theme is embodied in a conversation between two US spacecraft crew members exploring Achilles, which appears benign and grassy. One crew member feels uneasy, comparing their situation to fish in a pond 'swimming around thinking fishy thoughts' and wondering if something else is very near them. Soon after, an alien influence begins to manifest. The Soviet expedition includes the first woman in space, a fictional milestone eclipsed by reality soon after publication when Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space on Vostok 6 in June 1963.
Did You Know?
- The fictional first woman in space was part of the Soviet expedition in the novel.
- The real first woman in space, Valentina Tereshkova, flew on Vostok 6 in June 1963, soon after the novel's publication.
- The planet Achilles shows signs of chlorophyll, suggesting it supports life.
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