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Goblin
August 29th, 2000, 12:57 AM
I know I should remember this but for some reason - I can't...
How is most of Starside (save the tallest stacks) protected from the sunlight? I know the barrier mountains block most of it out, but doesn't the sun ever go straight over the barrier mountains? I know it did at the end of Bloodwars, but then it settled back into the old routine. I guess what I'm asking is, what exactly was the old routine?
I suppose I should just go back and check in The Source - I just don't remember where it was explained.
Thanks

Mike C
September 2nd, 2000, 06:56 PM
The way I understood it; the Starside planet rotated on an axis that was tilted away from the sun which left the section beyond the barrier mountains in darkness. The planet also went through its orbit slower than Earth which accounted for the longer nights.

This is just my interpretation... someone else might have a clearer explanation. C'mon Scarlet, Goth Girl and Canker what to you guys think??

Lord Nyarlathotep
September 2nd, 2000, 09:17 PM
In order for S/S (Sunside / Starside) to maintain a perpetual dark side, the axial rotation of S/S would have to be in sync with its orbit around its sun. Like the way the Moon keeps the same side always facing Earth wile it orbits. Technically 1 S/S day should equal 1 S/S year, since every time S/S rotated on its axis it would also have made one orbit around its sun.

The fluctuations in the position of the sun come from the fact that, unlike our moon, the S/S rotational axis is not at a right angle to its orbital plane. Also, because of gravitational affects of the Gate, the axis wobbles causing the S/S polar regions to rock back and forth causing the rapid fire seasonal changes that pass for days on S/S.

Or at least that’s my take on S/S orbital mechanics..

Of course any avid reader of fictional material should keep this in mind: For maximum enjoyment, suspend your disbelief!


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"Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wagn'nagl fhtagn."

Goblin
September 4th, 2000, 08:12 AM
Thanks everyone! I just needed to jog my memory.

TheNextDweller
September 17th, 2000, 02:11 PM
I seem to remember that the sunlight did reach the stacks. In Deadspawn Lord Shaithis was thinking about how Lady Karen's aerie would have heavy curtains to keep out the light at that very moment. Maybe I'm wrong and need to read it again though, but I think I'm right.

Mike C
September 17th, 2000, 06:14 PM
TheNextDweller you're right, but the sun only reached the uppermost levels of the stacks because of the barrier mountains and the strange rotation of their planet.