Román Měsíční prach patří k raným autorovým dílům. Clarke v něm líčí svou vizi budoucnosti, kdy Měsíc nese nejen vědecké základny, ale už i několik měst, a cestovní kanceláře tam organizují turistické zájezdy. Při jedné vyhlídkové jízdě dojde k havárii, výletní vozidlo se propadne do prašného podloží. Napínavě vylíčená záchranná akce je zároveň příběhem o lidské hlouposti a malichernosti....
Their Civilization Was Founded On The Stargates But Now No Man Knew How To Operate Them!
Surrounded by armed, watchful soldiers, Shan and Luvici followed the priests down the low-ceilinged corridor. The smell of damp was everywhere. As they turned the corner, the two men had their first glimpse of the room where they would be offered as human sacrifices in some ancient, savage ritual. "Look!" Shan cried. "The shrine -- it's a gate!" The Stargate itself was unlike any construction he had ever seen; it was framed by twisting pillars of translucence. What was a Stargate doing here in this primitive place? How could these barbarians have one of the gates...the very gates which enabled Shan's civilization to move instantly from any one of their 3000 worlds to any other? How could a Stargate possibly be in this dungeon which reeked of human blood and superstition? Shan followed the steps down, down, down...his eyes riveted on the gate. Would the gate still function? That was his only hope...
Earthlings are sent to Saturn's largest moon to investigate machines that were left behind centuries ago by an alien race.