Cosmology

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Terearth is a small, hemi-spherical planet that possesses rather unusual cosmological features.


Position in the Universe

Most learned scientists agree that Terearth is at (or very close to) the centre of it's local planetary system, if not the centre of the Universe itself. The sun and moons orbit Terearth on a regular and predictable pattern. There are arguments that the stars themselves also slowly orbit Terearth although those who believe the stars to have special religious significance dispute these findings.

Recently there appears to be some evidence that there are other planets orbiting Terearth but as these can only be viewed with sophisticated optics, it is assumed they are either very small or very far away. In fact there is much suspicion that they are not planets at all but that they are in fact additional moons of Terearth.


Physical data

The world of Terearth is, effectively, a smooth hemi-sphere on one side and jagged rocks on the other. The "smooth" side is the habitable side - the side with the land and sea on. The non-spherical half of the planet is said to resemble a vast mountain range, with peak hundreds of miles high. In the centre of this region is the immense chain than links Terearth to the Celestial Anchor. This is a highly dense artefact which holds the planet firmly in its place in the cosmos.


Satellites

Terearth has two natural satellites named Arko and Bezla.

File:Arko.jpg
Terearth's moon, Arko

Bezla is a pale green, spherical, ringed moon, which resembles a small Saturn. From Terearth, Bezla appears to be the same relative size as our own moon. However, as Terearth itself is only slightly larger than Earth's moon, this would presumably make Bezla either very small or considerably further away. Arko is the larger of the two (about 30% larger in the night sky than Bezla)and looks like an irregular lump of rock.

It is the phases and position of Arko that regulate the Imperial calendar. Arko also appears to have an effect on the tides, although there is debate amongst Terearth's scientists as to how strong this interaction is.

Oddly it is the phases of Bezla that affect those inflicted with the curse of lycanthropy. Bezla is also factored into most calculations required for astrology and of the Dark Arts.


Image from http://www.solarviews.com


Terearth's Sun

Like our Earth, Terearth has a single yellow star. It is the movement of this star that determines the years on Terearth, which are of a similar length to our own years.