Van set down his brand-new survivalist backpack and stared up at a beautifully painted sign. ALFRED A. GRIFFITH INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL FACILITY, it announced. This big sign—it was a dignified metal billboard, really—carried eye-squinting little logos for a whole swarm of federal sponsors and private contractors. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION. AURA. NOAO. NASA. NORTHRUP GRUMMAN OPTICAL SYSTEMS DIVISION. CANADIAN SPACE AGENCY / AGENCE SPATIALLE CANADIENNE. MAX PLANCK INSTITUT FUR EXTRATERRESTRISCHE PHYSIK. Warning: This Is a U.S. Interior Department Endangered Species Refugium.