If the stars are gods – Gregory Benford – Ace Book – 1981 – Blanda

**If the stars are gods**: Man searched a long time for alien life, until finally it found him. The aliens put their ship into orbit around the moon, peaceably ignoring franatic human excitement, and asked to see someone who knew the stars. Earth sent Bradley Reynolds, 52, officially retired, a man who knew the stars as well as any man could. But the aliens wanted more than Reynolds could give. They wanted to know whether the sun loves us.