Lesson 35 Space odyssey太空探索

The Moon is likely to become the industrial hub of the Solar System, supplying the rocket fuels for its ships, easily obtainable from the lunar rocks in the form of liquid oxygen.

be likely to do sth. ^{有可能做某事}

• The Moon is likely to become the industrial hub of the Solar System.^{月球很可能成为太阳系的工业中心。}
• It is likely to rain later this afternoon.^{今天下午晚些时候很可能会下雨。}
• The new policy is likely to face strong opposition.^{新政策很可能会面临强烈的反对。}

industrial hub ^工业中心

• The Moon is likely to become the industrial hub of the Solar System.^{月球很可能成为太阳系的工业中心。}
• The city is transforming itself into a technological and industrial hub.^{这座城市正在把自己转变为一个技术和工业中心。}
• Singapore is an important shipping and industrial hub in Southeast Asia.^{新加坡是东南亚重要的航运和工业中心。}

supply sth. for sb./sth. ^{为…提供…}

• The Moon will be supplying the rocket fuels for its ships.^{月球将为它的飞船提供火箭燃料。}
• The company supplies equipment for hospitals across the country.^{该公司为全国的医院提供设备。}
• A single generator supplied electricity for the whole camp.^{一台发电机为整个营地提供电力。}

obtainable from... ^{可从…获得}

• The rocket fuels are easily obtainable from the lunar rocks.^{火箭燃料很容易从月球岩石中获得。}
• This rare mineral is only obtainable from deep sea mines.^{这种稀有矿物只能从深海矿井中获得。}
• The product is obtainable from any major retailer.^{该产品可从任何主要的零售商处购得。}

in the form of... ^{以…的形式}

• The fuels are obtainable from the lunar rocks in the form of liquid oxygen.^{燃料是以液氧的形式从月球岩石中获得的。}
• The payment was made in the form of a bank transfer.^{付款是以银行转账的形式完成的。}
• The aid was provided in the form of food and medical supplies.^{援助是以食品和医疗用品的形式提供的。}

The reason lies in its gravity.

lie in... ^{在于/取决于}

• The reason lies in its gravity.^{原因在于它的重力。}
• The solution to the problem lies in finding a compromise.^{解决问题的办法在于找到一个折衷方案。}
• His main strength lies in his attention to detail.^{他的主要优势在于他对细节的关注。}

Because the Moon has only an eightieth of the Earth's mass, it requires 97 per cent less energy to travel the quarter of a million miles from the Moon to Earth-orbit than the 200 mile-journey from Earth's surface into orbit!

a fraction of sth. ^{…的一小部分/分数}

• The Moon has only an eightieth of the Earth's mass.^{月球的质量只有地球的八十分之一。}
• He completed the task in a fraction of the time originally estimated.^{他以最初估计时间的一小部分完成了任务。}
• The price of the raw material is only a fraction of the cost of the finished product.^{原材料的价格只是成品成本的一小部分。}

require less energy to do A than B ^{做A比做B需要的能量少}

• It requires 97 per cent less energy to travel from the Moon to Earth-orbit than the 200 mile-journey from Earth's surface into orbit.^{从月球到地球轨道比从地球表面进入轨道所需的能量少 97%。}
• Building a model requires less energy than building a real house.^{建造模型比建造真实的房子需要的能量少。}
• Solving this puzzle requires less effort than learning a new language.^{解决这个谜题比学习一门新语言需要的努力少。}

quarter of a million ^二十五万

• It takes the quarter of a million miles from the Moon to Earth-orbit.^{从月球到地球轨道需要二十五万英里。}
• The charity raised over a quarter of a million dollars in one night.^{该慈善机构在一个晚上筹集了超过二十五万美元。}
• The population of the small city is just under a quarter of a million.^{这个小城市的人口略低于二十五万。}

This may sound fantastic, but it is easily calculated.

sound fantastic ^{听起来不可思议/听起来像幻想}

• This may sound fantastic, but it is easily calculated.^{这听起来可能不可思议，但它很容易计算。}
• The new proposal sounded fantastic to everyone in the room.^{新的提议对房间里的每个人来说听起来都不可思议。}
• His plan to travel around the world in a hot air balloon sounds fantastic.^{他乘坐热气球环游世界的计划听起来像幻想。}

be easily calculated ^容易计算

• This may sound fantastic, but it is easily calculated.^{这听起来可能不可思议，但它很容易计算。}
• The overall budget can be easily calculated from these figures.^{总预算可以根据这些数字很容易地计算出来。}
• The distance between the planets can be easily calculated by astronomers.^{行星之间的距离可以被天文学家轻易计算出来。}

To escape from the Earth in a rocket, one must travel at seven miles per second.

escape from... ^{逃离/脱离}

• To escape from the Earth in a rocket, one must travel at seven miles per second.^{要乘坐火箭脱离地球，一个人必须以每秒七英里的速度飞行。}
• The prisoner managed to escape from the high-security prison.^{这名囚犯设法逃离了这所高度设防的监狱。}
• We need a strategy to escape from the cycle of debt.^{我们需要一个摆脱债务循环的策略。}

at seven miles per second ^{以每秒七英里的速度}

• One must travel at seven miles per second to escape from the Earth.^{一个人必须以每秒七英里的速度飞行才能脱离地球。}
• The bullet was travelling at an incredible speed.^{子弹正以令人难以置信的速度飞行。}
• The car was moving at the legal limit of speed.^{这辆车正以法定限速行驶。}

The comparable speed from the Moon is only 1.5 miles per second.

comparable speed ^{可比较的速度}

• The comparable speed from the Moon is only 1.5 miles per second.^{从月球出发的可比较速度只有每秒 1.5 英里。}
• We need a design with comparable functionality to the old model.^{我们需要一个功能与旧型号相当的设计。}
• The two athletes showed comparable strength in the competition.^{这两名运动员在比赛中表现出了相当的力量。}

Because the gravity on the Moon's surface is only a sixth of Earth's (remember how easily the Apollo astronauts bounded along), it takes much less energy to accelerate to that 1.5 miles per second than it does on Earth.

only a sixth of... ^{仅仅是…的六分之一}

• The gravity on the Moon's surface is only a sixth of Earth's.^{月球表面的重力仅仅是地球的六分之一。}
• The final bill was only a tenth of the original estimate.^{最终的账单仅仅是最初估计的十分之一。}
• The country's population is only a quarter of its neighbor's.^{这个国家的人口仅仅是其邻国的四分之一。}

bound along ^{轻松跳跃着前行}

• Remember how easily the Apollo astronauts bounded along on the Moon's surface.^{还记得阿波罗宇航员在月球表面是多么轻松地跳跃着前行吗。}
• The deer bounded along the path and disappeared into the woods.^{鹿沿着小路跳跃着，消失在树林中。}
• The children were happily bounding along after their dog.^{孩子们正高兴地跟在他们的狗后面跳跃着前行。}

it takes much less energy to do A than it does on B ^{做A比在B需要的能量少得多}

• It takes much less energy to accelerate to that 1.5 miles per second than it does on Earth.^{加速到每秒 1.5 英里比在地球上所需的能量少得多。}
• It takes much less time to drive to the store today than it did last week.^{今天开车去商店所需的时间比上周少得多。}
• It takes much less effort to climb the hill than it does on a steeper slope.^{爬这座小山比在更陡峭的斜坡上所需的努力少得多。}

Moon-dwellers will be able to fly in space at only three per cent of the cost of similar journeys by their terrestrial dwellers will be able to fly in space at only three per cent of the cost of similar journeys by their terrestrial cousins.

fly in space ^{在太空飞行}

• Moon-dwellers will be able to fly in space at only three per cent of the cost.^{月球居民将能够以仅三成的成本在太空飞行。}
• Only a few people have ever had the chance to fly in space.^{只有少数人有过在太空飞行的机会。}
• The next generation of spacecraft will make it easier for tourists to fly in space.^{下一代航天器将使游客更容易在太空飞行。}

at only three per cent of the cost ^{以仅三成的成本}

• Moon-dwellers will be able to fly in space at only three per cent of the cost of similar journeys.^{月球居民将能够以类似旅程仅三成的成本在太空飞行。}
• The new manufacturing process cuts production costs at only ten per cent of the old cost.^{新的制造工艺将生产成本降至旧成本的仅一成。}
• They offered the service **at only half the usual price**.^{他们以仅一半的通常价格提供了这项服务。}

terrestrial cousins ^{地球上的同类/表亲}

• The Moon-dwellers will benefit compared to their terrestrial cousins.^{月球居民将比他们地球上的同类受益。}
• The elephant is the largest of the terrestrial mammals.^{大象是最大的陆地哺乳动物。}
• The scientists were studying the difference between the **terrestrial plants** and the aquatic ones.^{科学家正在研究陆地植物和水生植物之间的区别。}

Arthur C. Clark once suggested a revolutionary idea passes through three phases:

suggest (v.) ^{提出/建议/暗示}

• Arthur C. Clark once suggested a revolutionary idea passes through three phases.^{亚瑟·C·克拉克曾提出一个革命性的想法会经历三个阶段。}
• I suggested that we take a break before continuing the work.^{我建议我们在继续工作前休息一下。}
• His tone suggested a lack of confidence in the plan.^{他的语气暗示了对这个计划缺乏信心。}

revolutionary idea ^{革命性的想法}

• Arthur C. Clark suggested a revolutionary idea passes through three phases.^{亚瑟·C·克拉克提出一个革命性的想法会经历三个阶段。}
• The invention of the printing press was a revolutionary idea in its time.^{印刷术的发明在当时是一个革命性的想法。}
• The team is looking for a truly revolutionary idea to disrupt the market.^{团队正在寻找一个真正革命性的想法来颠覆市场。}

pass through phases ^经历阶段

• A revolutionary idea passes through three phases.^{一个革命性的想法会经历三个阶段。}
• The project will pass through several testing phases before its launch.^{该项目在发布前将经历几个测试阶段。}
• The patient is expected to pass through a difficult phase of recovery.^{病人预计将经历一个艰难的恢复阶段。}

1 'It's impossible -- don't waste my time.'

It's impossible ^不可能的

• The first phase of reaction is typically: 'It's impossible -- don't waste my time.'^{第一阶段的反应通常是：“这不可能——别浪费我的时间。”}
• Given the limited resources, completing the task on time is impossible.^{鉴于资源有限，按时完成任务是不可能的。}
• She believes that nothing is impossible if you work hard enough.^{她相信如果你足够努力，没有什么是不可能的。}

waste one's time ^{浪费某人的时间}

• 'It's impossible -- don't waste my time.'^{“这不可能——别浪费我的时间。”}
• You are just wasting your time arguing with him.^{你只是在和他争论中浪费时间。}
• The company decided to stop the project because it was wasting too much time and money.^{公司决定停止该项目，因为它浪费了太多的时间和金钱。}

2 'It's possible, but not worth doing.'

It's possible ^{有可能的/可行的}

• The second phase is: 'It's possible, but not worth doing.'^{第二阶段是：“这有可能，但不值得做。”}
• With a little more effort, it's possible to reach the summit.^{再多努力一点，到达山顶是可能的。}
• They confirmed that it's possible to integrate the new system.^{他们确认整合新系统是可行的。}

not worth doing ^不值得做

• 'It's possible, but not worth doing.'^{“这有可能，但不值得做。”}
• The repair costs were so high that fixing the old car was not worth doing.^{维修费用太高了，以至于修理这辆旧车不值得做。}
• He concluded that the minor benefit was not worth the required investment.^{他得出结论，微不足道的好处不值得所需的投资。}

3 'I said it was a good idea all along.'

all along ^{一直/始终}

• The final phase is: 'I said it was a good idea all along.'^{最后阶段是：“我一直说这是一个好主意。”}
• He knew the truth all along but chose to remain silent.^{他一直知道真相，但选择保持沉默。}
• The manager supported the project **all along**.^{这位经理一直支持这个项目。}

a good idea ^{一个好主意}

• 'I said it was a good idea all along.'^{“我一直说这是一个好主意。”}
• Starting a reading club turned out to be **a good idea**.^{创办一个读书俱乐部结果是一个好主意。}
• I think moving to the countryside is **a great idea**.^{我认为搬到乡村是一个绝妙的主意。}

The idea of colonising Mars -- a world 160 times more distant time the Moon -- will move decisively from the second phase to the third, when a significant number of people are living permanently in space.

colonise (v.) ^{殖民/建立殖民地}

• The idea of colonising Mars will move decisively to the third phase.^{殖民火星的想法将果断地进入第三阶段。}
• Early explorers attempted to colonise the newly discovered continent.^{早期探险家试图在新发现的大陆上殖民。}
• The mission is focused on how humans can eventually colonise another planet.^{这次任务的重点是人类最终如何殖民另一个星球。}

move decisively from A to B ^{果断地从A阶段进入B阶段}

• The idea of colonising Mars will move decisively from the second phase to the third.^{殖民火星的想法将果断地从第二阶段进入第三阶段。}
• The project needs to move decisively from the planning stage to the execution stage.^{该项目需要果断地从规划阶段进入执行阶段。}
• The market moved decisively from bearish to bullish after the announcement.^{在公告发布后，市场果断地从熊市转向牛市。}

significant number of... ^{大量的/相当数量的}

• The phase change will happen when a significant number of people are living permanently in space.^{当大量的人永久居住在太空时，阶段的转变就会发生。}
• A significant number of voters remain undecided before the election.^{在选举前，仍有大量的选民尚未决定。}
• The university enrolled a significant number of international students this year.^{这所大学今年招收了大量的国际学生。}

permanently in space ^{永久地在太空}

• A significant number of people are living permanently in space.^{大量的人永久地居住在太空。}
• The astronaut dreams of living permanently in space one day.^{这位宇航员梦想着有一天能永久地生活在太空。}
• After the repair, the door should stay closed permanently.^{修复后，门应该会永久保持关闭。}

Mars has an extraordinary fascination for would-be voyagers.

extraordinary fascination ^{非凡的魅力/吸引力}

• Mars has an extraordinary fascination for would-be voyagers.^{火星对那些潜在的航行者有着非凡的魅力。}
• The ancient ruins hold an extraordinary fascination for historians.^{这些古代遗迹对历史学家有着非凡的魅力。}
• Her personality possesses an extraordinary fascination that draws people in.^{她的个性拥有一种吸引人们的非凡魅力。}

would-be... ^{想要成为…的/潜在的}

• Mars has an extraordinary fascination for would-be voyagers.^{火星对那些潜在的航行者有着非凡的魅力。}
• The magazine offered advice to **would-be entrepreneurs**.^{这本杂志为那些想要成为企业家的潜在人士提供了建议。}
• Security forces intercepted a group of **would-be smugglers** at the border.^{安全部队在边境拦截了一群潜在的走私者。}

America, Russia and Europe are filled with enthusiasts -- many of them serious and senior scientists -- who dream of sending people to it.

be filled with... ^充满了…

• America, Russia and Europe are filled with enthusiasts who dream of sending people to Mars.^{美国、俄罗斯和欧洲充满了梦想将人类送往火星的狂热者。}
• The stadium was filled with cheering fans before the game.^{比赛前，体育场里充满了欢呼的球迷。}
• The book is filled with useful information about local history.^{这本书充满了关于当地历史的有用信息。}

senior scientists ^{资深科学家/高级科学家}

• Many of the enthusiasts are serious and senior scientists.^{许多狂热者是严肃且资深的科学家。}
• The project is being led by a team of highly respected senior scientists.^{该项目正由一支备受尊敬的资深科学家团队领导。}
• She was recently promoted to the position of senior scientist at the research institute.^{她最近被提升为研究所的高级科学家职位。}

dream of doing sth. ^{梦想做某事}

• Enthusiasts dream of sending people to it.^{狂热者梦想着将人类送往火星。}
• He always dreamed of becoming a professional musician.^{他一直梦想着成为一名专业音乐家。}
• They dream of travelling the world after they retire.^{他们梦想着在退休后环游世界。}

Their aim is understandable.

aim (n.) ^{目标/目的}

• Their aim is understandable.^{他们的目标是可以理解的。}
• The main aim of the research is to find a cure for the disease.^{这项研究的主要目标是找到治愈这种疾病的方法。}
• My aim is to save enough money to buy a house next year.^{我的目标是存够钱明年买一套房子。}

understandable (adj.) ^{可以理解的}

• Their aim is understandable, given Mars' similarity to Earth.^{考虑到火星与地球的相似性，他们的目标是可以理解的。}
• His fear of heights is perfectly understandable.^{他害怕恐高是完全可以理解的。}
• It's understandable that she was upset by the bad news.^{她对坏消息感到不安是可以理解的。}

It is the one world in the Solar System that is most like the Earth.

most like the Earth ^{最像地球的}

• Mars is the one world in the Solar System that is most like the Earth.^{火星是太阳系中最像地球的一个世界。}
• Of all the moons, Titan is considered to be the most like the Earth in terms of surface processes.^{在所有卫星中，就表面过程而言，土卫六被认为是最像地球的。}
• His painting style is most like the impressionists of the 19th century.^{他的绘画风格最像 19 世纪的印象派画家。}

It is a world of red sandy deserts (hence its name -- the Red Planet), cloudless skies, savage sandstorms, chasms wider than the Grand Canyon and at least one mountain more than twice as tall as Everest.

a world of... ^{一个充满/拥有…的世界}

• It is a world of red sandy deserts, cloudless skies, savage sandstorms, and massive chasms.^{这是一个充满红色沙质沙漠、无云天空、狂暴沙尘暴和比大峡谷更宽的峡谷的世界。}
• The deep ocean is **a world of mystery** and darkness.^{深海是一个充满神秘和黑暗的世界。}
• The author transports the reader into **a world of fantasy and magic**.^{作者将读者带入了一个充满奇幻和魔法的世界。}

hence its name ^因此得名

• Mars is a world of red sandy deserts (hence its name -- the Red Planet).^{火星是一个充满红色沙质沙漠的世界（因此得名——红色星球）。}
• The plant's leaves resemble a star, hence its name, Starleaf.^{这种植物的叶子像星星，因此得名“星叶”。}
• The event takes place every two years, hence its name, the Biennial Festival.^{这项活动每两年举行一次，因此得名“两年一度的节日”。}

savage sandstorms ^{狂暴的沙尘暴}

• Mars is known for its **savage sandstorms**.^{火星以其狂暴的沙尘暴而闻名。}
• Travel in the area is often disrupted by **savage sandstorms**.^{该地区的旅行经常被狂暴的沙尘暴打乱。}
• The planet's weather is dominated by strong winds and **savage sandstorms**.^{这颗星球的天气主要由强风和狂暴的沙尘暴主宰。}

chasms wider than... ^{比…更宽的峡谷}

• Mars has chasms wider than the Grand Canyon.^{火星有比大峡谷更宽的峡谷。}
• The expedition discovered a series of deep chasms in the remote mountains.^{探险队在偏远的山区发现了一系列深邃的峡谷。}

more than twice as tall as... ^{比…高两倍多}

• Mars has at least one mountain more than twice as tall as Everest.^{火星上至少有一座山比珠穆朗玛峰高两倍多。}
• The new skyscraper is **more than three times as tall as** the old city hall.^{这座新的摩天大楼比旧市政厅高三倍多。}
• The project cost **more than ten times as much as** we budgeted.^{这个项目的成本比我们预算的高十倍多。}

It seems ideal for settlement.

ideal for sth. ^{是…的理想选择}

• Mars seems ideal for settlement.^{火星似乎是定居的理想选择。}
• The small village is ideal for a quiet family holiday.^{这个小村庄是安静家庭度假的理想选择。}
• This lightweight material is ideal for making outdoor gear.^{这种轻质材料是制作户外装备的理想选择。}