P3_5 All These Worlds Are Yours

Abstract

 

This paper investigates a plot point of the novel 2010: Odyssey Two by Arthur C. Clarke in which self replicating monoliths engulf Jupiter, increasing its density to the point when nuclear fusion can take place, giving birth to a new star. It was found that 1.629x1020 monoliths would be needed to trigger nuclear fusion in Jupiter's core, taking 136 hours to do so.