- #1
Steve Walmsle
- 2
- 0
Hi,
I am putting together a scenario for a sci-fi computer game called Aurora and I am after some advice. I am trying to create a situation where Earth has perhaps 40-60 years before being destroyed or rendered uninhabitable. For the purposes of the scenario, the cause of this catastrophe of this must be evident immediately and conditions will gradually worsen until Earth is finally uninhabitable. The catastrophe must also be something that cannot be prevented. The only option will be to evacuate the planet, or at least save as many as possible. Depending upon the nature of the problem, it might be possible to evacuate to others planets in the solar system, at least temporarily. Ultimately, an evacuation of the entire solar system will be required. In Aurora there is no FTL travel but there are wormholes connecting between the gravity wells of stars. These will be the route of the final evacuation.
My problem is finding a suitable catastrophe to fit the above scenario so I looking for suggestions. It doesn't have to be likely - it only has to be plausible. My current line of thinking is a problem with the Sun. Perhaps some type of long term variability in luminosity or some scenario that involves the Sun beginning to move toward a red giant phase, although I know that there is far too much hydrogen remaining for that to happen without some external cause. Perhaps some form of cosmic radiation that gradually builds up over time, although that would have be local to the Sol system or the potential evacuation sites would also be affected.
I am well aware of my limited knowledge in this area so I thought it would be worth posting on this forum to try and get a more informed opinion. Any suggestions that would facilitate the above scenario would be very welcome.
Steve
I am putting together a scenario for a sci-fi computer game called Aurora and I am after some advice. I am trying to create a situation where Earth has perhaps 40-60 years before being destroyed or rendered uninhabitable. For the purposes of the scenario, the cause of this catastrophe of this must be evident immediately and conditions will gradually worsen until Earth is finally uninhabitable. The catastrophe must also be something that cannot be prevented. The only option will be to evacuate the planet, or at least save as many as possible. Depending upon the nature of the problem, it might be possible to evacuate to others planets in the solar system, at least temporarily. Ultimately, an evacuation of the entire solar system will be required. In Aurora there is no FTL travel but there are wormholes connecting between the gravity wells of stars. These will be the route of the final evacuation.
My problem is finding a suitable catastrophe to fit the above scenario so I looking for suggestions. It doesn't have to be likely - it only has to be plausible. My current line of thinking is a problem with the Sun. Perhaps some type of long term variability in luminosity or some scenario that involves the Sun beginning to move toward a red giant phase, although I know that there is far too much hydrogen remaining for that to happen without some external cause. Perhaps some form of cosmic radiation that gradually builds up over time, although that would have be local to the Sol system or the potential evacuation sites would also be affected.
I am well aware of my limited knowledge in this area so I thought it would be worth posting on this forum to try and get a more informed opinion. Any suggestions that would facilitate the above scenario would be very welcome.
Steve