The Year When Stardust Fell

"The Year When Stardust Fell" by Raymond F. Jones is a science fiction story about a comet that wreaks havoc on a small town, testing the boundaries between science and superstition. Ken Maddox, a young, aspiring scientist, finds his hometown thrown into disarray as the arrival of a comet triggers strange mechanical failures and widespread panic. The story, unfolding in the tense atmosphere of Mayfield, follows Ken as he teams up with Maria, a girl from Sweden, to uncover the scientific explanation behind the unfolding chaos. All while battling Granny Wicks' doomsday predictions and trying to calm the town's escalating fears. Ken's quest to understand the comet puts his scientific beliefs to the test as he investigates the connection between the celestial visitor and the growing sense of dread consuming the town.