What is a meteorite? What is significant about finding a meteorite? How much are meteorites worth in monetary value? In scientific value? Which value is more important? Where do meteorites come from? What is McFarlane's theory on meteorites? Why do most scientists think this theory is impossible? Is it? What do scientists know about meteorites? What is dangerous about the unknown? How does the unknown impact the main characters of this novel?

Who is McFarlane? Why did McFarlane sell a meteorite out from under his partner during a funding crisis? What was McFarlane attempting to do? Was he successful? How did this episode impact McFarlane's professional reputation? How did it impact his personal relationships? How did this situation impact McFarlane's decision to take on Lloyd's Desolacion meteorite?

Who is Eli Glinn? Why is Glinn afraid of failure? Is this a professional or personal fear...