In the a science fantasy series by author Anne McCaffrey, the planet of Pern has been colonised by humans who have lost much of their technology and history due to periodic deluge of a destructive spore called Thread
The Pernese use intelligent fire-breathing dragons to fight Thread with the human rider developing a telepathic bond with their dragon.
A fire-breathing dragon. Photo: VICTOR HABBICK VISIONS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
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Dr Nicola Gaston Photo: The MacDiarmid Institute
Professor Nicola Gaston, MacDiarmid Institute Co-Director and Professor of Physics at the University of Auckland talks about Dragonriders of Pern science fantasy series written by American author Anne McCaffrey.
Things like Lithium, potassium, sodium – they’re not uncommon metals, but they’re very rare in metallic form on this planet simply because we have an oxygen atmosphere so the idea that in rock form they could be chewed and produce a gas that is flammable… potentially.
