“Astounding Science Fiction,” June 1957. Cover art by van Dongen for “Ribbon in the Sky” by Murray Leinster.

            “There are times when xenophobia makes a lot of good sense – and times when it doesn’t.  But it took the Med Service man to spot that – and cure the psychic disorder with a physical attack!”  [Prologue]

"Ribbon in the Sky" is a captivating tale set in the vast expanse of space, where human error and technological mishaps intertwine with the lives of distant colonists. The story begins with a Med Service man, Calhoun, and his tormal (a small, cat-like creature) sidekick, Murgatroyd, who are on a routine mission to spread health across the planets in their sector. However, due to a minor mistake—a wrong button pressed on a computer—their journey takes an unexpected detour to a forgotten colony on an icy planet. 
 
Upon arrival, Calhoun discovers that the inhabitants are suffering from an advanced form of the Crusoe condition, a psychological and sociological ailment resulting from prolonged isolation. The colony, once vibrant and thriving, has deteriorated into a shadow of its former self, with its people desperately in need of medical attention and a renewed connection to the rest of humanity. Calhoun's expertise as a Med Service man is put to the test as he navigates the complexities of treating a whole society while contending with the challenges posed by the harsh environment and the colonists' initial distrust. 
 
The narrative unfolds as Calhoun employs his medical knowledge and resourcefulness to address the colony's dire situation. His efforts are further complicated by the "ribbon in the sky," a mysterious celestial phenomenon that looms over the planet, symbolizing both the beauty and peril of space exploration. As Calhoun works to heal the colonists, he also seeks to understand the significance of the ribbon, which ultimately serves as a metaphor for the delicate balance between human error and the unforgiving nature of the cosmos. [Source: Project Gutenberg and Bing Copilot]

Taken in: United States / Virginia / Washington Forest (show map)

Taken on: June 6, 2024

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Astounding Stories

Astounding Science Fiction

Astounding Magazine

science fiction

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van Dongen

cover art

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June 1957

1957

1950s

volume 59, number 4

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sci-fi

Ribbon in the Sky

Leinster

Murray Leinster

Med Service

icy planet

Calhoun

tormal

Murgatroyd

Murgatroid « less

Sets appears in: • Pulp Magazines

Groups appears in: • SciFi Books • PULP more » • Pulp Fiction • Science Fiction Art • Anything Sci-Fi • Ciencia Ficción (science fiction) • Anything goes Magazine Covers « less

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, 6.9mm, ISO 200 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Apple iPhone 14 Pro
Lens:	iPhone 14 Pro back triple camera 6.86mm f/1.78
Aperture:	f/1.8
Exposure Time:	0.017 sec (1/60)
Focal Length:	6.9mm
ISO:	200
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop Express Windows 10 (Windows)
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