The Pluto Lamp: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Pluto Lamp: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The Pluto Lamp is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Stearns, Charles A..
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Pluto Lamp" by Charles A. Stearns is a science fiction novella published in the mid-20th century. The narrative revolves around the misfit character Knucklebone Smith and his ironic destiny of being chosen to install a beacon on the distant and inhospitable planet of Pluto. The tale is both a space adventure and a commentary on fate and personal worth, exploring themes of heroism and the unexpected contributions individuals can make. The story unfolds as Knucklebone Smith, an awkward and underappreciated human, is assigned to work with Professor Salvor-Jones to set up the Pluto Lamp, a self-sustaining warning beacon for starships. Initially disenchanted with his fate, Knucklebone's character evolves as he confronts various mishaps during their isolation, leading to a critical meteor storm. In a moment of unforeseen bravery, he attempts to assist Salvor-Jones during a crisis, ultimately sacrificing himself to save the beacon and the ship, thereby ensuring its vital function. The legacy of their endeavor results in a monument honoring both men, suggesting that every individual, no matter how unremarkable, plays a significant role in the grand tapestry of life.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Pluto Lamp
- Author credits: Stearns, Charles A.
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Pluto (Dwarf planet) -- Fiction
- Science fiction
- Short stories
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Adventure
- Category: Novels
- Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


