"Surviving the Unpredictable: Five SF Stories of Planetary Catastrophes"

A recent scientific paper by Cody J. Shakespeare and Jason H. Steffen explores the possibility of tide-locked planets "flipping" their orientation, leading to drastic climate change. This concept provides fertile ground for science fiction authors to imagine scenarios of unforeseen planetary disasters. The article highlights five classic SF works that depict rapid and radical alterations to a planet's habitability, including stories of technological collapse, deadly atmospheres, interspecies conflict, impending natural disasters, and the consequences of strip-mining planets. These stories showcase the creativity and imagination of SF writers in exploring the potential consequences of planetary upheavals.