LIU Atlas - Ruber Hiems
There are billions of stars, millions of planets, but there is only one man, Terrance McDoogal. Welcome to LIU Atlas.
LIU Atlas - Ruber Hiems
The Ludgonian Industrial Union's galaxy contains billions of stars and billions of planets. Unfortunately, most residents of the LIU could only name a handful of these worlds. In order to improve astronomy grades across the LIU, TV2 has started a new program called LIU Atlas. Follow our host, Terrance McDoogal, as he takes you on a tour across the LIU and some of its more obscure worlds.
Note: This episode is presented in full screen. The corresponding dialogue is underneath each photo.
LIU Atlas - Ruber Hiems
The Ludgonian Industrial Union's galaxy contains billions of stars and billions of planets. Unfortunately, most residents of the LIU could only name a handful of these worlds. In order to improve astronomy grades across the LIU, TV2 has started a new program called LIU Atlas. Follow our host, Terrance McDoogal, as he takes you on a tour across the LIU and some of its more obscure worlds.
Note: This episode is presented in full screen. The corresponding dialogue is underneath each photo.
Doog: “Welcome to another episode of LIU Atlas. I’m your host, Terrance “Doog” McDoogal. Today, we’re visiting the planet Ruber Hiems. Ruber Hiems is a circumbinary planet, meaning it orbits around the outside of a binary star system. The binary system is made up of two stars: Tepore, a Class G main sequence star, and Alsus, a Class M red giant star. Ruber Hiems is subject to extreme seasonal changes as it approaches various areas of its orbit.”
Doog: “Alright, I’ve been dropped off at a small village on the planet’s surface. Despite the strange conditions here, Ruber Hiems is habitable. The natives are just staring at me, and I’m starting to feel a little uncomfortable. They don’t seem to speak basic. Strangely, they seem to resemble the Tironians from Tironis. I wonder if they are related somehow. I’ll have to ask my guide whenever they decide to show up.”
Scolaris: “Ah, you must be Doog. I am Scolaris, Scion of Nabu, Linguistic Expert, Cultural Researcher, and World Class Flamenco Dancer."
Doog: “ You‘re one of the Encyclopedians, aren’t you? If your distinctive look doesn’t give it away, your annoying habit of listing all your titles sure does.”
Scolaris: “Yes. I am one of the Scions of Nabu. I am on a knowledge quest, seeking to learn all there is about this planet. I have been here over three years researching the local race, the Hiemiens.”
Doog: “The Hiemiens sure look a lot like the Tironians.”
Scolaris: “Yes, I am aware of this phenomena. The Hiemiens and the Tironians share almost 75% of their genes, too much to be a coincidence. But they also have many differences, including locomotion and the atmosphere that they breathe. I’ve developed two theories: the Hiemiens and the Tironians are the ancestors of a space-faring progenitor that seeded this part of the galaxy, or they are an extreme case of convergent evolution. There’s not a lot of evidence either way. It’s part of my studies here.”
Doog: “Hmm, I love a good mystery. So, what can you tell me about the Hiemiens?”
Doog: “ You‘re one of the Encyclopedians, aren’t you? If your distinctive look doesn’t give it away, your annoying habit of listing all your titles sure does.”
Scolaris: “Yes. I am one of the Scions of Nabu. I am on a knowledge quest, seeking to learn all there is about this planet. I have been here over three years researching the local race, the Hiemiens.”
Doog: “The Hiemiens sure look a lot like the Tironians.”
Scolaris: “Yes, I am aware of this phenomena. The Hiemiens and the Tironians share almost 75% of their genes, too much to be a coincidence. But they also have many differences, including locomotion and the atmosphere that they breathe. I’ve developed two theories: the Hiemiens and the Tironians are the ancestors of a space-faring progenitor that seeded this part of the galaxy, or they are an extreme case of convergent evolution. There’s not a lot of evidence either way. It’s part of my studies here.”
Doog: “Hmm, I love a good mystery. So, what can you tell me about the Hiemiens?”
Scolaris: “Well, they are an agricultural race. They farm many of the planet’s exotic fruits and vegetables. They appear to have limited amounts of technology, but nothing too advanced. They seem to reproduce asexually.”
Doog: “Where’s the fun it that? Oh, here they come. Hello guys or gals or its. Whatever you are.”
Scolaris: “They don’t speak basic Doog. They have their own language, a highly inflected language with no distinct genders or tenses.”
Glo’p: “Hoæe li nam se pridružiti u slavlju? Crveno sunce pristupa.”
Scolaris: “Da. Bili bismo sretni da vam se pridruži. Well Doog, it looks like we’ve been invited to a feast. The Hiemiens are celebrating the approach of the star Alsus.”
Doog: “The red giant? I’ve noticed the sky getting more red.”
Scolaris: “Yes. The planet has moved into the Alsus stage of its orbit. It can best be described as ‘winter‘. It’s easier to understand if you can see it in person. Let’s head to the orrery.”
Doog: “Where’s the fun it that? Oh, here they come. Hello guys or gals or its. Whatever you are.”
Scolaris: “They don’t speak basic Doog. They have their own language, a highly inflected language with no distinct genders or tenses.”
Glo’p: “Hoæe li nam se pridružiti u slavlju? Crveno sunce pristupa.”
Scolaris: “Da. Bili bismo sretni da vam se pridruži. Well Doog, it looks like we’ve been invited to a feast. The Hiemiens are celebrating the approach of the star Alsus.”
Doog: “The red giant? I’ve noticed the sky getting more red.”
Scolaris: “Yes. The planet has moved into the Alsus stage of its orbit. It can best be described as ‘winter‘. It’s easier to understand if you can see it in person. Let’s head to the orrery.”
Doog: “This is an orrery? What is it?”
Scolaris: “An orrery is a mechanical representation of the solar system. Despite never setting foot off their planet, the Hiemiens are excellent astronomers. They’ve created this precise representation of their solar system. It allows them to prepare for the various seasons. The two stars orbit in the middle of the system. Their orbit is extremely slow, completing a full revolution every thousand years. Ruber Hiems orbit’s the binaries much quicker making a full orbit just under four galactic standard years. In my time here, I have yet to see a full revolution. Although I’m only a few months away.”
Doog: “So this is where Ruber Hiems is now?”
Scolaris: “No, I’ve asked the Hiemiens’ astronomer to move the device so you can get a feel for the system‘s seasons. When Ruber Hiems is in the position shown here, it is close to Tepore. Tepore is much warmer and brighter
than Alsus. This period of the orbit is known as summer.”
Scolaris: “An orrery is a mechanical representation of the solar system. Despite never setting foot off their planet, the Hiemiens are excellent astronomers. They’ve created this precise representation of their solar system. It allows them to prepare for the various seasons. The two stars orbit in the middle of the system. Their orbit is extremely slow, completing a full revolution every thousand years. Ruber Hiems orbit’s the binaries much quicker making a full orbit just under four galactic standard years. In my time here, I have yet to see a full revolution. Although I’m only a few months away.”
Doog: “So this is where Ruber Hiems is now?”
Scolaris: “No, I’ve asked the Hiemiens’ astronomer to move the device so you can get a feel for the system‘s seasons. When Ruber Hiems is in the position shown here, it is close to Tepore. Tepore is much warmer and brighter
than Alsus. This period of the orbit is known as summer.”
Scolaris: “As Ruber Hiems orbits further along its orbit, it gets farther from Tepore and closer to Alsus. The temperature gets cooler, the light gets dimmer, and the sky starts to turn red. This is known as autumn.”
Scolaris: “This is our current location. We are much closer to Alsus than Tepore. It is much cooler, dimmer, and the sky is turning more and more red. Only a small amount of Tepore’s light reaches the planet. We are at the precipice of winter.”
Scolaris: “In just a few hours, Alsus will eclipse Tepore, and we’ll officially experience one of Ruber Hiems’ winters. The planet will be behind Alsus almost six months.”
Doog: “What does that mean for the Hiemiens?”
Scolaris: “I’m not entirely sure. This will be my first winter. I believe the temperatures will drop considerably. Alsus’ red light will not provide sufficient energy for photosynthesis, so the plant life may die or go into hibernation. It may be why we are having a feast, to eat the last of the crop before winter. I guess we’ll see.”
Doog: “What does that mean for the Hiemiens?”
Scolaris: “I’m not entirely sure. This will be my first winter. I believe the temperatures will drop considerably. Alsus’ red light will not provide sufficient energy for photosynthesis, so the plant life may die or go into hibernation. It may be why we are having a feast, to eat the last of the crop before winter. I guess we’ll see.”
Doog: “As Scolaris and I venture back to the village, we’ve come across some of the Hiemiens’ agriculture. What’s this Scolaris?”
Scolaris: “The Hiemiens’ farm some very exotic fruits and vegetables. They are really quite tasty. They also have lots of nutrients.”
Doog: “And the LIU uses these fruits?”
Scolaris: “No, the LIU has no permanent presence here as of yet. They are still waiting for my economic feasibility study. I’ll need a few solar cycles to figure it out.”
Doog: “And the LIU uses these fruits?”
Scolaris: “No, the LIU has no permanent presence here as of yet. They are still waiting for my economic feasibility study. I’ll need a few solar cycles to figure it out.”
Doog: “Alright, looks like the feast is beginning. Is it safe to eat?”
Scolaris: “In moderation. Some of the fruits’ advanced sugars may not be compatible with your biology in large amounts.”
Glo’p: “Pridružite nam se.”
Scolaris: “In moderation. Some of the fruits’ advanced sugars may not be compatible with your biology in large amounts.”
Glo’p: “Pridružite nam se.”
Doog: “Hey, this isn’t all that bad. Thanks guys."
Scolaris: “Puno hvala.”
Scolaris: “Puno hvala.”
Doog: “Uh oh, what’s happening! This stuff is making my eyes see red!”
Scolaris: “It’s not the food. It’s the eclipse. It’s starting!”
Glo’p: “U hram!”
Scolaris: “It’s not the food. It’s the eclipse. It’s starting!”
Glo’p: “U hram!”
Doog: “What’s going on Scolaris? Where are we going?”
Scolaris: “They’re headed to the village’s temple. I’ve never been inside before. Perhaps there is some ceremony or something? Maybe it’s shelter.”
Scolaris: “They’re headed to the village’s temple. I’ve never been inside before. Perhaps there is some ceremony or something? Maybe it’s shelter.”
Glo’p: “Vrijeme za hibernaciju.”
Scolaris: “They’re headed inside. Let’s follow. Aren’t you exited?”
Doog: “I think the appropriate word is terrified. What if we get trapped inside?”
Scolaris: “They’re headed inside. Let’s follow. Aren’t you exited?”
Doog: “I think the appropriate word is terrified. What if we get trapped inside?”
Doog: “Alright folks, we’ve descended some stairs and we are inside of some type of temple.”
Glo’p: “Neka nas pripremiti.”
Glo’p: “Neka nas pripremiti.”
Doog: “This is awkward. They’re all taking off their clothes. And, what the heck, are they some type of slug?”
Scolaris: “I told you they have a different form of locomotion than the Tironians.”
Scolaris: “I told you they have a different form of locomotion than the Tironians.”
Scolaris: “Doog, what are you doing! Put your clothes back on!”
Doog: “Sorry, just a habit. I’m a follower.”
Doog: “Sorry, just a habit. I’m a follower.”
Scolaris: “Something is happening!”
Doog: “It looks like the floor is moving up.”
Doog: “It looks like the floor is moving up.”
Doog: “What in Kaadu’s name is that?”
Scolaris: “Wow! It looks like some type of stasis pod or hibernation chamber. The Hiemiens must sleep through the winter inside.”
Scolaris: “Wow! It looks like some type of stasis pod or hibernation chamber. The Hiemiens must sleep through the winter inside.”
Scolaris: “This is way beyond their level of technology. The progenitors must have left it here. This certainly lends credence to the progenitor theory. Amazing.”
Doog: “Yeah, that’s great. I’m a big fan of sleep, but I think we ought to leave now. I don’t want to be stuck here for months.”
Scolaris: “I‘m staying. You can leave.”
Doog: “Yeah, that’s great. I’m a big fan of sleep, but I think we ought to leave now. I don’t want to be stuck here for months.”
Scolaris: “I‘m staying. You can leave.”
Doog: “Well folks, Ruber Hiems is an interesting place. It’s unique orbit around two binary stars gives it strange seasons. The food is good, and oh yeah, it may be the first evidence that an advanced space-faring race seeded parts of the galaxy. Well, see ya next time.”
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