Foundation Study Guide

Gaal Dornick is on a space ship traveling to a planet called Trantor. Asimov describes him as a country boy who has recently completed a doctorate in mathematics and is going to Trantor to work on the Seldon Project. When the reader enters the story Dornick is in the viewing room looking out at the stars, getting brighter as the ship nears the planet. A spaceship official comes up to the room and tells people they must go downstairs and prepare for landing. Gaal asks to stay and view the ship's approach, but the official says the sun is likely to blind him. Disappointed, Gaal follows the others below deck. (read more)