The Invading Asteroid
A massive asteroid hurtling towards Earth threatens to destroy human civilization. A small group of scientists and engineers must devise a plan to deflect the asteroid before it's too late. They face numerous challenges, including limited resources, personal conflicts, and the immense scale of their task. The story explores themes of cooperation, ingenuity, and the human will to survive in the face of catastrophic danger.
By Manly Wade Wellman · First published 1942 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Military Fiction · 10,830 words
First lines
Higher and higher through the night mounted the small, trim space-launch. Far below the lights of St. Louis, capital of the Terrestrial League, shone as myriad stars and reflected gleams on the flat surfaces and soaring spires of the uppermost levels. From a great height the city resembled a rambling building of tremendous size, wherein little specks of surface-cars scampered over miniature traffic-ways and clouds of air and space-vehicles danced around and over the town like midges.
What this Textopian page supports
The Invading Asteroid is listed on Textopian as a novel by Manly Wade Wellman, dated 1942 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Manly Wade Wellman
- Date: 1942 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Military Fiction, Space Opera, Dystopian Fiction
- Length: 10,830 words
- Structure: 1 section, 255 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Invading Asteroid by Manly Wade Wellman
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Invading Asteroid?
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- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The narrative is set in a futuristic context involving space travel, interplanetary conflict, and advanced technology.
- Adventure — The plot revolves around the journey and challenges faced by the characters as they navigate space and engage in combat.
- Military Fiction — The story features military themes, including war strategies, combat scenarios, and the experiences of soldiers.
- Space Opera — The grand scale of the conflict and the presence of various spacefaring civilizations align with the characteristics of space opera.
Tags
Science Fiction · Asteroid Impact · Apocalyptic · Survival Story · Adventure · Space Exploration · Alien Invasion · Humanity's End · Dystopian Future · Post-Apocalyptic World · Action-Packed · Thrilling Plot