Théan Astronomy

Recent Developments in Astronomy

Theans understand that their world, Terra, is a sphere that orbits their sun, Solas, and their moon orbits their world.  In addition, they have discovered five other planets orbiting Solas.  They can predict eclipses and have been using telescopes for over a century. 

In 1665, a Vodacci astronomer working under the pseudonym "Antonio" discovered the rotation period of two planets, Guer (24 hours and 40 minutes) and Re (9 hours, 56 minutes).  In 1668, Alvaro Arciniega invents the reflecting telescope, allowing better magnification than ever before.

The most notable astronomical phenomenon in recent times is that as of Quintus 1669, the stars all became brighter and many fainter stars, previously invisible, became noticeable in the nightsky.  This, in turn, has had a rippling effect: Alvaro Arciniega has put his reflecting telescope to use on the "new", formerly invisible stars. 

Meanwhile, Mus Borwin, a Vendel merchant and astronomer, has been using the new precision of observation possible into creating vast, highly accurate astronomical tables which can be used to solve the longitude problem.  (And if you are not familiar with the longitude issue, I invite you to read Dana Sobel's non-fiction book "Longitude", it's excellent reading.)  In Tertius 1674, Doña Constanza de Aldana y Orduño took a brand new invention sponsored by the Royal Association of Scientific Minds, a sea clock, and during a sea voyage compared it against Mus Borwin's lunar tables to test these two new ways of calculating longitude.

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Planets and Local Celestial Bodies

• Terra – the planet on which Théah is situated, and third planet from Solas
• Solas – the sun; the star around which Terra revolves
• Luna – Terra's smaller sister planet
• Velme – first planet from Solas
• Amora – second planet from Solas, named for the old Numan goddess of Love
• Guer – fourth planet from Solas, named for the old Numan god of War.  Known to have two moons.
• Re – fifth planet from Solas, named for the ruler of the old Numan pantheon.  Known to have at least four moons.
• Volta – sixth planet from Solas, named for the the old Numan god of the Underworld.  Known to be surrounded by a sort of ring.

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Constellations

Known constellations of the Théan sky:

• Erebus Cross (Crux Erebi) – circumpolar constellation, used by sailors as a celestial reference
• Goat (Oryx) – crosses the ecliptic
• Bear (Ursus) – crosses the ecliptic
• Wolves (Lupi) – crosses the ecliptic
• Bee (Apis) – crosses the ecliptic
• Drachen (Draco) – crosses the ecliptic
• Dove (Columba) – crosses the ecliptic
• Cat (Felis) – crosses the ecliptic
• Snake (Vipera) – crosses the ecliptic
• Sailor (Nauta) – crosses the ecliptic
• Horse (Equus) – crosses the ecliptic
• Boca (Boca) – crosses the ecliptic.  In case you're wondering, a boca is a vorpal rabbit.
• Eel (Anguilla) – crosses the ecliptic

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