Bai Hu Solar-system – Austin Bunton Designs

This is the main, central, and largest solar system featured in Firefly.

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Table of Contents:

Stat’s
Introduction
History (of the whole sub-system)
Planets and Their Moons (including individual-world histories)
Compared to Earth
Planets Images
Stars Images

–

Stat’s:

Stellar ID: 34 Tauri (2020) A
Class: A0
Radius: 2.5 sol
Mass: 3.2 sol
Luminosity: .80 sol
Temperature: 10,800 °K (18,980 °F)
Distance: 0 AU (anchor-star)
Planets: 14
Moons: 26
Asteroid Belts: The Halo
Planetoids: 600,000+
Comets: 2,000+

White Sun system
System information
Settled	2220
Capital	Londinium, Sihnon
Protostars	Qin Shi Huang, Lux
Planets	14
Moons	26
Asteroids	The Halo
Population	39,477,459,000
Affiliation	Union of Allied Planets

–

Introduction:

The White Sun system, also known as the Bai Hu system, was the primary star system of the Verse. At the heart of the system was the star known as the White Sun, or Bai Hu.

The White Sun system had two gas giants (brown dwarfs), fourteen terrestrial planets, twenty-six terrestrial moons, and one asteroid belt with 78-million cataloged objects. There are hundreds of millions of other objects in the local area, including smaller moons, Lagrangian satellites, comets, and rogue bodies.

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History

34Tauri(2020)A was discovered in 2020, along with four other stars and fourteen gas giants nearby, located in the southeast quadrant of the constellation of Taurus, some 40 light-years from the solar system. While a vastly different star in size, magnitude, and temperature from the sun, projections indicate that the system could support life.

In the mid-21st century, after the failure of terraforming on Venus, Mars, and the Moon due to lack of natural resources, the Alliance is formed with its initial task of establishing a colony program to travel to this new star system.

In the 2200’s, robotic terraforming crews arrived in the system. The two main planets, Londinium and Sihnon were terraformed first, and colonization began. Shortly thereafter, many of the remaining planets and large moons were terraformed to support terrestrial life. After successful tests on the brown dwarf Burnham, the two brown dwarfs in the system were helioformed into artificial protostars in the mid-2200’s to enable their larger moons to support life.

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Planets and Their Moons:

Bernadette

Nautilus
Spinrad

Bernadette
Planet information
Sun orbited	White Sun^[1]
Moons	Nautilus Spinrad^[1]
Date terraformed	2240^[1]
Diameter	10,582 km^[1]
Mass	4.114×10²¹ tonnes^[1]
Gravity	0.9982 g_n^[1]
Orbital position	1^st from primary^[1]
Orbital distance	1,234,182,428 km (8.250 AU)^[1]
Orbital periods	23.70 years 8,655 days^[1]
Region	Core^[1]
Cities and towns	New Paris^[1] New Tombstone^[1]
Population	3,754,542,000^[1]
Affiliation	Union of Allied Planets^[1]

Bernadette is the first planet of the White Sun system, orbiting the White Sun. P/2028(White Sun)13 was discovered in 2028.

History

Bernadette, originally known as P/2028(White Sun)13, was discovered in 2028 by astronomers on Earth-That-Was in the star cluster which was designated as 34Tauri2020. It was believed that the planet was suitable for terraforming. With the realization that Earth-That-Was would no longer be able to sustain its population, the Global Exodus Alliance was formed to evacuate the Sol system and relocate humanity to the newly discovered 34Tauri2020 star cluster. After a trip of almost one hundred and twenty years, robot terraformers began to terraform Bernadette in 2220. Terraforming of the planet and its accompanying moons was completed in 2240, with colonization beginning in the same year.^[1] As a result, Bernadette was the first planet colonized after the settling of Londinium and Sihnon.^[2]

The Prometheus, the only remaining ark from the Exodus that had not been used to settle Londinium and Sihnon, was used to populate the planet. Five times larger than a Tohoku-class cruiser, it was landed on the planet and the capital city of New Paris was formed around it. The Prometheus was converted into a museum dedicated to the bravery and courage of those travelers who had crossed the void of space to settle the new system.^[2]

Like other Central planets, Bernadette is a highly modern and civilized, and its citizens have access to high technology. The population’s basic needs are provided for them, and large edifices of steel and transparent-metal dominate the skyline. Due to its status as a Central Planet, landing on Bernadette is technically restricted, although claiming to be a settler or a ship filled with children heading for the museum usually allows a ship clearance.^[2]

Bernadette was the traditional launch point for settlers looking to leave the Central Planets to start new lives in the Borderor Rim worlds.^[2] As a result, the official resettlement bureau, the Alliance Colony and Settlement Authority based in New Tombstone, required all prospective settlers to fill out CSA-0010B Request for Resettlement and Homestead forms.^[1]Many businesses catered to the large amount of prospective settlers by selling tools and supplies. However, an underground slave trade existed on the planet, where settlers were kidnapped and shipped off to work on terraforming stations. The slavers targeted new arrivals, and did not bother the local inhabitants as they rationalized that newcomers and outsiders were less likely to be missed.^[2]

Inhabitants

Bernadette supports a large religious community, with multiple faiths; including Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism; being represented among the population. Bernadette is also the location of several fringe religions and cults.^[2]

Locations

Bernadette’s capital city, New Paris, is the location of museum that chronicled the Great Exodus from Earth-That-Was. The museum resides inside the hull of the Prometheus, the last remaining ark that transported Humanity to the ‘Verse. The city of New Tombstone is the home of the head offices of the Alliance Colony and Settlement Authority.^[2]

Nautilus
Moon information
Lunar ID	S/2175(Bernadette)01
Planet orbited	Bernadette^[1]
Date terraformed	2240^[1]
Diameter	1,084 km^[1]
Mass	4,329×10¹⁶ tonnes^[1]
Gravity	1.0010 g_n^[1]
Period (days)	17.75
Population	7,500,000^[1]
Affiliation	Union of Allied Planets^[1]

Nautilus is the first moon of Bernadette of the White Sun system. S/2175(Bernadette)01 was discovered in 2175.

Spinrad
Moon information
Lunar ID	S/2175(Bernadette)02
Planet orbited	Bernadette^[1]
Date terraformed	2240^[1]
Diameter	978 km^[1]
Mass	3.485×10¹⁶ tonnes^[1]
Gravity	0.9900 g_n^[1]
Orbit	345,960 km
Period (days)	24.57
Population	250,000^[1]
Affiliation	Union of Allied Planets^[1]

Spinrad is the second moon of Bernadette of the White Sun system. S/2175(Bernadette)02 was discovered in 2175.

–

Londinium – Anglo capital of Bai Hu and center of government for the Union of Allied Planets.

Colchester
Balkerne

Londinium
Planet information
Sun orbited	White Sun^[1]
Moons	Colchester Balkerne^[1]
Date terraformed	2220^[1]
Diameter	18,000 km^[1]
Mass	1.210×10²² tonnes^[1]
Gravity	1.0145 g_n^[1]
Orbital position	2^nd from primary^[1]
Orbital distance	1,346,380,830 km (9.000 AU)^[1]
Orbital periods	27.00 years 9,862 days^[1]
Region	Core^[2]
Cities and towns	New Cardiff^[2]
Population	4,510,000,000^[1]
Affiliation	Union of Allied Planets^[2]

Londinium is the second planet of the White Sun system, orbiting the White Sun. P/2027(White Sun)03 was discovered in 2027.

It is the capital planet of the Union of Allied Planets and, along with its sister planet Sihnon, was one of the first planets colonized after the exodus from Earth-That-Was. Being the most like Earth-That-Was, it was the easiest to settle on and thus an ideal choice.

Overview

Most of the settlers came from Europe and the Americas and the predominant western culture took hold here quickly. Old western traditions were combined with modern technology, the best example being the buildings themselves as they were built with the most advanced materials but designed to look like stone. The Imperial Gothic style of the buildings (e.g. the contemporary Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, etc.) became the norm for almost all building on Londinium. The symbol of the planet is an Imperial Gothic clock tower (a la Big Ben). The planet has twenty-six metropolises, five of which are prominent spaceports. The capital city of Londinium is New Cardiff.

Politics was the main activity on Londinium. The Alliance Parliament building was situated on Londinium. The Parliament building itself (which contains “the House“, where the members of Parliament meet to debate current issues) was the size of a small city and surrounding Alliance government complex which contained the offices of ministers and their civil servants (and was also where the aforementioned clock tower was) made up the entire unitary decision-making body of the Allied Planets. There was a policy of shoot-on-sight for any craft that comes too close to the Parliament building No Fly Zone.

Not all of the planet is dedicated to political dealings though. Art is also a major attraction. Londinium contains the finest museums of Earth-That-Was and colonial artifacts, and the largest collections of Western-style art in the system. The Londinium Museum, which contains the Museum of History and the Museum of Art, is a splendid building that holds a variety of treasures. Most come from the early days of colonization, but the most valuable pieces are the ancient artifacts from Earth-That-Was.

Such a large military target is protected by a large military presence. The Ministry of Intelligence and the elite SAS (Special Alliance Support) forces have their headquarters on the planet, while, in orbit the Alliance flagship Victoria protects the skies.

…

This is the only place in 34 Tauri which has a headquarters/regional office of one of High King Auzdein‘s businesses; WGI has a local HQ in this planet’s biggest city.

…

Colchester
Moon information
Lunar ID	S/2172(Londinium)01
Planet orbited	Londinium^[1]
Date terraformed	2220^[1]
Diameter	3,145 km^[1]
Mass	3.650×10²⁰ tonnes^[1]
Gravity	1.0025 g_n^[1]
Orbit	196,044 km
Period (days)	13.92
Population	9,100,000^[1]
Affiliation	Union of Allied Planets^[1]

Colchester is the first moon of Londinium in the White Sun system. S/2172(Londinium)01 was discovered in 2172.

Balkerne
Moon information
Lunar ID	S/2172(Londinium)02
Planet orbited	Londinium
Date terraformed	2220
Diameter	1,524 km
Mass	8,213×10¹⁶ tonnes
Gravity	0.9607 g_n
Orbit	284,456 km
Period (days)	20.20
Population	722,000
Affiliation	Union of Allied Planets

Balkerne is the second moon of Londinium in the White Sun system. S/2172(Londinium)02 was discovered in 2172.

–

Sihnon – Sino capital of Bai Hu.

Airen
Xiaojie
Xiansheng
Yunnan

Sihnon
Planet information
Sun orbited	White Sun^[1]
Moons	Airen Xiaojie Xiansheng Yunnan^[1]
Date terraformed	2220^[1]
Diameter	12,881 km^[1]
Mass	5.987×10²¹ tonnes^[1]
Gravity	0.9802 g_n^[1]
Orbital position	3^rd from primary^[1]
Orbital distance	1,402,480,031 km (9.375 AU)^[1]
Orbital periods	28.70 years 10,484 days^[1]
Region	Core^[2]
Cities and towns	Lu’Weng^[2]
Population	5,330,000,000^[1]
Affiliation	Union of Allied Planets

Sihnon is the third planet of the White Sun system, orbiting the White Sun. P/2027(White Sun)04 was discovered in 2027.

Along with its sister planet Londinium, it is amongst the most prominent of the Central Planets. Those who visit the planet often describe it as one of the most beautiful locations in the system, reaching a level of sophistication seldom seen throughout the ‘Verse.

Overview

Sihnon is the seat of Eastern civilization in the Union of Allied Planets. It is here that many Registered Companions undergo their training in the spiritual and physical arts they are known for.^[3] Sihnon is also home to Ching Shian University, a prestigious school that has alumni ranging from prime ministers to billionaire philanthropists. There is no better place to study Eastern philosophy, history, law or culture.

Sihnon’s preservationist attitude has caused the government to restrict large vessel traffic to equatorial zones.

Airen
Moon information
Lunar ID	S/2173(Sihnon)02
Planet orbited	Sihnon
Date terraformed	2220
Diameter	1,470 km
Mass	7,725×10¹⁶ tonnes
Gravity	0.9713 g_n
Orbit	76,880 km
Period (days)	5.46
Population	47,000
Affiliation	Union of Allied Planets

Airen is the first moon of Sihnon in the White Sun system. S/2173(Sihnon)02 was discovered in 2173.

Xiaojie
Moon information
Lunar ID	S/2164(Sihnon)01
Planet orbited	Sihnon
Date terraformed	2220
Diameter	1,004 km
Mass	3,685×10¹⁶ tonnes
Gravity	0.9934 g_n
Orbit	326,740 km
Period (days)	23.21
Population	97,000
Affiliation	Union of Allied Planets

Xiaojie is the second moon of Sihnon in the White Sun system. S/2164(Sihnon)01 was discovered in 2164.

Xiansheng
Moon information
Lunar ID	S/2176(Sihnon)03
Planet orbited	Sihnon
Date terraformed	2220
Diameter	1,527 km
Mass	8,593×10¹⁶ tonnes
Gravity	1.0012 g_n
Orbit	422,840 km
Period (days)	30.03
Population	2,300,000
Affiliation	Union of Allied Planets

Xiansheng is the third moon of Sihnon in the White Sun system. S/2176(Sihnon)03 was discovered in 2176.

Yunnan
Moon information
Lunar ID	S/2181(Sihnon)04
Planet orbited	Sihnon
Date terraformed	2220
Diameter	2,820 km
Mass	2,840×10¹⁷ tonnes
Gravity	0.9703 g_n
Orbit	780,332 km
Period (days)	55.42
Population	3,860,000
Affiliation	Union of Allied Planets

Yunnan is the fourth moon of Sihnon in the White Sun system. S/2181(Sihnon)04was discovered in 2181.

–

Liann Jiun

Tiantan
Fu

Liann Jiun
Planet information
Sun orbited	White Sun^[1]
Moons	Tiantan^[1] Fu^[1]
Date terraformed	2255^[1]
Diameter	13,957 km^[1]
Mass	7.172×10²¹ tonnes^[1]
Gravity	1.0002 g_n^[1]
Orbital position	4^th from primary^[1]
Orbital distance	1,626,876,836 km (10.875 AU)^[1]
Orbital periods	35.86 years 13,099 days^[1]
Region	Core^[2]
Population	3,750,000,000^[1]
Affiliation	Union of Allied Planets

Liann Jiun is the fourth planet of the White Sun system, orbiting the White Sun. P/2020(White Sun)12 was discovered in 2020.

Tiantan
Moon information
Lunar ID	S/2176(Liann Jiun)01
Planet orbited	Liann Jiun
Date terraformed	2255
Diameter	1,784 km
Mass	1,189×10¹⁷ tonnes
Gravity	1.0154 g_n
Orbit	196,044 km
Period (days)	13.92
Population	5,500,000
Affiliation	Union of Allied Planets

Tiantan is the first moon of Liann Jiun of the White Sun system. S/2176(Liann Jiun)01 was discovered in 2176.

Fu
Moon information
Lunar ID	S/2176(Liann Jiun)02
Planet orbited	Liann Jiun
Date terraformed	2255
Diameter	1,396 km
Mass	6,826×10¹⁶ tonnes
Gravity	0.9517 g_n
Orbit	272,924 km
Period (days)	19.38
Population	2,250,000
Affiliation	Union of Allied Planets

Fu is the second moon of Liann Jiun of the White Sun system. S/2176(Liann Jiun)02 was discovered in 2176.

–

Gonghe

Xing Yun

Gonghe
Planet information
Sun orbited	White Sun^[1]
Moons	Xing Yun^[1]
Date terraformed	2255^[1]
Diameter	11,990 km^[1]
Mass	5.313×10²¹ tonnes^[1]
Gravity	1.0041 g_n^[1]
Orbital position	5^th from primary^[1]
Orbital distance	1,851,273,641 km (12.375 AU)^[1]
Orbital periods	43.53 years 15,900 days^[1]
Region	Core^[2]
Population	2,550,000,000^[1]
Affiliation	Union of Allied Planets

Gonghe is the fifth planet in the White Sun system, orbiting the White Sun. P/2027(White Sun)05 was discovered in 2027^[1]

Xing Yun
Moon information
Lunar ID	S/2173(Gonghe)01
Planet orbited	Gonghe
Date terraformed	2255
Diameter	1,601 km
Mass	9,203×10¹⁶ Tonnes
Gravity	0.9755 g_n
Orbit	338,272 km
Period (days)	24.02
Population	12,000,000
Affiliation	Union of Allied Planets

Xing Yun is the sole moon of Gonghe of the White Sun system. S/2173(Gonghe)01 was discovered in 2173.

–

Rubicon

Rubicon
Planet information
Sun orbited	White Sun^[1]
Moons	0
Date terraformed	Scheduled^[1]
Diameter	15,075 km^[1]
Mass	8.459×10²¹ tonnes^[1]
Gravity	1.0112 g_n^[1]
Orbital position	6^th from primary^[1]
Orbital distance	1,963,472,044 km (13.125 AU)^[1]
Orbital periods	47.55 years 17,368 days^[1]
Region	Core^[2]
Population	5,000 (Terraform Crew)^[1]

Rubicon is the sixth planet of the White Sun system, orbiting the White Sun. P/2028(White Sun)10 was discovered in 2028.^[1]

–

Osiris

Epeuva
Tannhauser

Osiris
Planet information
Sun orbited	White Sun^[1]
Moons	Epeuva^[1] Tannhauser^[1]
Date terraformed	2256^[1]
Diameter	13,523 km^[1]
Mass	6.964×10²¹ tonnes^[1]
Gravity	1.0345 g_n^[1]
Orbital position	7^th from primary^[1]
Orbital distance	2,019,571,245 km (13.500 AU)^[1]
Orbital periods	49.60 years 18,117 days^[1]
Region	Core^[2]
Cities and towns	Capital City
Population	3,980,000,000^[1]
Affiliation	Union of Allied Planets

Osiris is the seventh planet of the White Sun system, orbiting the White Sun. P/2027(White Sun)06 was discovered in 2027.

Overview

It is a wealthy world of the central planets. The seat of power on the planet is a city known simply as Capital City. Osiris is home to many rich and influential families, but as is often the case, a notable criminal presence has established itself in the planet’s more urban areas. Criminals on Osiris are known to take advantage of “blackout zones”, locations where monitoring devices are impractical and often malfunction. To combat this tendency, local security punish anyone found within a blackout zone with instant jail time, whether engaging in criminal activity or not.^[3]^[4]

This is the home planet of Simon & River Tam, and the Tam Estate’s location. Osiris is the heart of the Alliance judicial system, and it is here that the High Court hear important cases. The University of Osiris boasts the most prestigious law school in the Core, as well as a fine medical school.^[5]

Epeuva, or S/2176(Osiris)01 , is the first of two moons of Osiris of the White Sun system, the world that Simon and River Tam grew up on.

Orbit: 96,100 km
Orbital Period: 6.83 Days
Diameter 1,846 km
Mass 1.220×10^20 Tonnes
Surface Gravity: 0.9726
Date Terraformed: 2256
Current Population: 2,911,000

Tannhauser was a moon of the planet Osiris of the White Sun system. The moon boasted an experimental “core-siphon” system that was designed to extract energy from a planet’s internal processes.^[1]

–

Valentine

Selene
Chons

Valentine
Planet information
Sun orbited	White Sun^[1]
Moons	Selene^[1] Chons^[1]
Date terraformed	2266^[1]
Diameter	9,358 km^[1]
Mass	3.221×10²¹ tonnes^[1]
Gravity	0.9992 g_n^[1]
Orbital position	9^th from primary^[1]
Orbital distance	2,861,059,264 km (19.125 AU)^[1]
Orbital periods	83.64 years 30.549 days^[1]
Region	Core^[2]
Population	5,330,000,000^[1]
Affiliation	Union of Allied Planets

Valentine is the ninth planet of the White Sun system, orbiting the White Sun. P/2028(White Sun)09 was discovered in 2028.^[1]

Moon information
Planet orbited	Valentine
Date terraformed	2266
Diameter	1,003 Km
Mass	3.683×10¹⁹ Tonnes
Gravity	0.9947
Population	8,000,000

Selene or S/2176(Valentine)01 was the first moon of Valentine of the White Sun system.

Chons or S/2176(valentine)02 is the second moon of Valentine in the White Sun system.

Orbit from planet: 380,556 km
Orbital Period: 27.03 hours
Diameter: 1,018 km
Mass: 3.714×10^19 Tonnes
Surface Gravity: 0.9737
Date Terraformed: 2266
Current Population: 11,000,000

–

Bellerophon

Tyrins
Hanthus
Parth

Bellerophon
Planet information
Sun orbited	White Sun^[1]
Moons	Tyrins^[1] Hanthus^[1] Parth^[1]
Date terraformed	2266^[1]
Diameter	12,266 km^[1]
Mass	5.555×10²¹ tonnes^[1]
Gravity	1.0031 g_n^[1]
Orbital position	10^th from primary^[1]
Orbital distance	2,917,158,031465 km (19.500 AU)^[1]
Orbital periods	86.11 years 31.452 days^[1]
Region	Core^[2]
Population	3,124,510,000^[1]
Affiliation	Union of Allied Planets

Bellerophon is the tenth planet of the White Sun system, orbiting the White Sun. P/2027(White Sun)08 was discovered in 2027.

It is home to the private estates of the system’s wealthiest folk. Anything they wanted was shipped in from off-world, so they had no need for shops or local labor.

Overview

The Bellerophon Estates themselves are each the size of a small town and float gracefully a mile above the clear waters of the Bellerophon sea. Each estate is a self-contained world of its own. They all share a similar basic design and standardized amenities, such as a rubbish collection system, grass lawns, landscaping, and multi-code locks to keep out any unwanted visitors. Durran Haymer owns an estate here.

The wealthy pay well for their privacy and the skies above Bellerophon are patrolled by both the Feds and private security companies. Visiting the estates is by invitation only. Those who come to work on the estates have to provide a good reason why they are there. However, there is a lot of empty desert on the planet.

Jayne Cobb and Temperance McCloud stiffed a wealthy man named Cain Stephenson here some time when they were partners-in-crime. The duo sold Cain a collection of Earth-That-Was jazz long-players, that were in reality fakes.

Moon information
Planet orbited	Bellerophon
Date terraformed	2266
Diameter	1,456 Km
Mass	7.934×10¹⁹ Tonnes
Gravity	1.0167
Population	7,000,000

Tyrins or S/2172(Bellerophon)01 was the first of three moons of Bellerophon of the White Sun system.

Moon information
Planet orbited	Bellerophon
Date terraformed	2266
Diameter	1,349 km
Mass	6.386×10¹⁹ tonnes
Gravity	0.9534
Population	5,500,000

Hanthus, or S/2172(Bellerophon)02, is the second moon of Bellerophon of the White Sun system.

Moon information
Lunar ID	S/2172(Bellerophon)03
Planet orbited	Bellerophon
Date terraformed	2266
Diameter	1,006 km
Mass	3.871×10¹⁹ tonnes
Gravity	1.0391 g_n
Orbit	192,200 km
Period (days)	13.65
Population	3,000,000
Affiliation	Union of Allied Planets

Parth is the third moon of Bellerophon in the White Sun system. S/2172(Bellerophon)03 was discovered in 2172.

Jayne Cobb and Temperance McCloud did a job here some time when they were partners-in-crime. The duo took a people trafficker off of here and sent her back to Santo to face the crooks she stiffed there.

–

Ariel

Ariopolis
Shiva
Poseidon

Ariel
Planet information
Sun orbited	White Sun^[1]
Moons	Ariopolis^[2] Shiva^[2] Poseidon^[2]
Date terraformed	2266^[2]
Diameter	13,016 km^[2]
Mass	6.323×10²¹ tonnes^[2]
Gravity	1.0140 g_n^[2]
Orbital position	11^th from primary^[2]
Orbital distance	3,085,456,069 km (20.625 AU)^[2]
Orbital periods	93.67 years 34,212 days^[2]
Region	Core^[3]
Cities and towns	Ariel City^[4]
Population	3,615,995,500^[2]
Affiliation	Union of Allied Planets^[4]

Ariel is the eleventh planet of the White Sun system, orbiting the White Sun. Originally designated as P/2027(White Sun)07 when it was discovered in 2027 by astronomers, the planet was terraformed by robot terraformers to allow humans to colonize the world after the mass evacuation of “Earth-That-Was“. Terraforming was completed in 2266, and the planet became one of the Central planets of the ‘Verse. By 2518, Ariel was a metropolitan world located on the New Canaan Run trade route, and was covered with glass and steel cities. It citizens had access to some of the finest examples of technology, and the planet was reputed for its medical facilities and dining establishments.

Description

Ariel (original designation P/2027(White Sun)07) is the eleventh planet in the White Sun system. Measuring 13,016 kilometers in diameter, Ariel orbited the star White Sun at a distance of 3,085,456,069 kilometers, which is equivalent to 20.625 AUs. Ariel has a surface gravity of 1.0140, and a mass of 6.323×10²¹ tonnes. The planet takes 93.67 years to orbit around Bai Hu, which equates to 34,212 days. Three moons; Ariopolis, Shiva, and Poseidon; orbit the planet. All three were terraformed at the same time as Ariel. By 2518, Ariel boasted a population of some 3,615,995,500 inhabitants.^[2]

The planet is divided into several landmasses, many of which are connected to others via strips of land. Ariel has large polar regions, and a large amount of surface water. Islands and archipelagos dot the surface of the planet. Urban areas are spread across the planet, and the capital is Ariel City, located in the southern hemisphere. Located on the New Canaan Run, Ariel is a hub of commercial trade activity; official Union of Allied Planets and Blue Sun cargo is transited through Ariel’s docks, although the carrying of such cargo is classified and can only be carried by registered traders. Given the planet’s extensive network of medical-related industries and institutions, medical supplies and the raw materials to make them are in great demand, and are both imported and exported on a regular basis. General stock, food and grain are constantly imported to keep the population fed, while the export of textiles is kept at a modest level.^[5]

History

Ariel, originally known as P/2027(White Sun)07, was discovered in 2027 by astronomers on Earth-That-Was in the star cluster designated 34Tauri2020. It was believed to be within acceptable limits for terraforming. With the realization that Earth-That-Was would no longer be able to sustain her population, the Global Exodus Alliance was formed to evacuate the Sol system and relocate humanity to the 34Tauri2020 star cluster. After a trip of almost one hundred and twenty years, robot terraformers began to terraform Ariel in 2220. Terraforming of the planet and its accompanying moons was completed in 2266, with colonization beginning in the same year.^[2]

Like the rest of the Central planets, Ariel is a highly modern and civilized. High technology is prevalent on the world, and citizens have access to laser guns, holo-scanners and flying cars. The basic needs of the population; food, shelter and medical care; are looked after, allowing the residents of the planet opportunity to think beyond their basic day-to-day survival needs. Tall buildings of glass and steel litter the cities, while holographic billboards advertise many products and services.^[3] Ariel is noted for its exceptional network of medical facilities; including hospitals, schools and research facilities; ^[5] of which Saint Lucy’s hospital in Ariel City is a prime example. The planet is also noted for its museums and fine restaurants,^[4] as well as for being the only Core world to have no long-term prisons. A contract with the Trader’s Guild transports prisoners to off-world facilities.^[5]

Ariel is known throughout the Union of Allied Planets for the technical and cultural achievements of its citizenry; indeed, statistically, more winners of the Medal of Societal Advancement hail from Ariel than any other world in the Alliance. The planet’s institutions have a strong history of supporting the arts, with musicians, artists, craftsmen and writers taking up residence on Ariel.^[5] Most famous chefs either hail from Ariel, or emigrate to the planet to ply their trade. Due to its status as a Central Planet, landing on Ariel is restricted; only ships with legitimate business are given clearance to make planetfall,^[3] and they need dual commerce permits from both the UAP and the Trader’s Guild.^[5]

In 2517, Saint Lucy’s hospital was the target of a raid by a group of outlaws. Refurbishing a scrapped ambulance shipobtained from a junkyard, members of the crew of the Firefly-class transport ship Serenity managed to bypass hospital security with the intention of stealing a large amount of prescription drugs, including ivoprovalyn, propoxin, and hydrozapam. However, the raid had a secondary purpose; the fugitive doctor Simon Tam; who was crewing aboard the Serenity; needed access to a 3-D neuroimager to scan the brain of his sister, River Tam.^[4] River Tam, an exceptionally intelligent child prodigy, had been the subject of experiments conducted by Alliance doctors in an effort to create the perfect assassin.^[6] However, the experiments had left her mentally scarred, and Simon Tam sought to better understand what had been done to her so that he could attempt to reverse the damage. The raid was successful, with Doctor Tam able to complete his task, and the crew managing to secure a large amount of drugs to sell to the Rim planets.^[4]

Locations

Ariel City is one of the planet’s main cities. Highly urbanized, the city is full of skyscrapers and is situated on the coast. Ariel City is the location of Saint Lucy’s hospital,^[4] Shinei University,^[5] the starship docks, and a large municipal junkyard.^[4]

Numerous cities are located across Ariel, including: Gossamer, Codithian, North Hauer, South Hauer, Gohin, Tolli Basin, West Firebrand, Placious Caelum, Trident, Silver Fern, Bridgesbain, Nabokov Heights, Nikita, Guerenstradt, and Gorehaven. In addition to the urban centres, at least four major transport and commercial hubs; UAP Transport Hub, Matheson Docks, Piper Docks, and Mandellia Docks; serve the planet.^[5] Ariel also boasts a bioluminescent lake that citizens and visitors alike are allowed to swim in.^[4]

Ariel is also the location of the Fissatore, a large orbital drydock used by the Alliance to produce a range of vessels, including the Glory class.^[5]

Government

Ariel, like all planets under the authority of the Alliance, is governed by a planetary Governor. It is unknown what the electoral rules are on Ariel and therefore how governors are elected.

Moon information
Planet orbited	Ariel
Date terraformed	2266
Diameter	1,075km
Mass	4.143×1019 tonnes
Gravity	0.9739
Population	4,500

Ariopolis, known originally as S/2176(Ariel)01 was the first moon orbiting the planet Ariel in the White Sun system. By 2518, Ariopolis was on perpetual lease to the Gehörnspiel Corporation, who specialized in producing exotic medicines, and landing on the moon was heavily restricted.

Moon information
Planet orbited	Ariel
Date terraformed	2266
Diameter	1,003km
Mass	3.563×1019 tonnes
Gravity	0.9621
Population	4,570,000

Shiva, known originally as S/2176(Ariel)02 was the second moon orbiting the planet Ariel in the White Sun system. A resource rich moon, Shiva supplied minerals to Ariel that were hard to obtain on the planet. Several colonies were located across the surface of the moon, and a Class 2 Alliance outpost had been constructed on the surface.

Moon information
Planet orbited	Ariel
Date terraformed	2266
Diameter	1,024km
Mass	3.889×1019 tonnes
Gravity	1.0075
Cities and towns	Rishi
Population	5,000,000

Poseidon, known originally as S/2176(Ariel)03, was the third moon orbiting the planet Ariel in the White Sun system. Poseidon was home to some of the Core‘s more popular and extravagant retreats, and the Stimmengott opera house was located in the city of Rishi.

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Albion

Avalon

Planet information
Sun orbited	White Sun^[1]
Moons	Avalon^[1]
Date terraformed	2270^[1]
Diameter	10,760 km^[1]
Mass	4.196×10²¹ tonnes^[1]
Gravity	0.9847 g_n^[1]
Orbital position	12^th from primary^[1]
Orbital distance	3,197,654,471 km (21.375 AU)^[1]
Orbital periods	98.82 years 36,095 days^[1]
Region	Core^[2]
Population	2,154,500,000^[1]
Affiliation	Union of Allied Planets

Albion is the twelfth planet of the White Sun system, orbiting the White Sun. S/2028(White Sun)11 was discovered in 2028. ^[1]

Moon information
Planet orbited	Albion
Date terraformed	2270
Diameter	1,589 Km
Mass	9.042×10¹⁹ Tonnes
Gravity	0.9729
Population	10,000,000

Avalon, or S/2172(Albion)01, was the only moon of the planet Albion of the White Sun system.

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Dukkha – Dwarf Planet

Samudaya
Nirodha
Magga

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Ra Amiran – Dwarf Planet

Namira

Ra Amiran is a dwarf planet of the White Sun system. Ra Amiran has one moon, Namira. As the small planet is too distant from White Sun, it was never fully developed, however it is large enough for terraforming, and it maintains only science and mining settlements, with an average population (between it and its moon) of 1,300.

Namira is the first moon of the dwarf planet Ra Amiran in the White Sun system. Namira is too small for terraforming, but maintains a science and mining population of a few hundred.

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The Halo – asteroid belt

The Halo
Asteroid Belt information
Belt ID	A/2223(White Sun)3a45b
Primary	White Sun
Inner boundary	5,983,914,800km (40 AU)
Outer boundary	6,432,708,410km (43 AU)
Average width	448,793,610km (3 AU)
No. of Cataloged objects	78,472,112

The Halo is the main asteroid belt of the White Sun system.

Discovered in 2233, A/2223(White Sun)3a45b is located on the edge of the system, after the protostar Lux.

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Compared to Earth:

(diameter in km –of worlds with 1B/+ people in this sub-system)

18,000 – Even though other worlds in 34 Tauri were closer in size to the Earth, Londinium had some of the most Earth-like conditions, thus it being chosen for one of the main two colonization efforts; the biggest and most ships of colonists landed on it, as it needed some of the least terraforming. >4.5B people
15,075 – Rubicon is between Gonghe and Londinium in terms of size, but has only a 5,000-person terraforming crew.
13,957 – Liann Jiun was slightly larger than Sihnon, thus the now more than 3.7B colonists/descendants there.
13,523 – Osiris is barely smaller than Liann Jiun, and has just shy of 4B.
13,016 – Ariel is slightly larger than Earth, and has more than 3.6B.
12,881 – Sihnon has a diameter almost identical to the Earth’s (just a bit greater than Earth’s), so it, too, was a natural first choice of the most-powerful. >5.3B
Earth diameter for reference: 12,742 km
12,266 – Bellerophon is barely smaller than Earth, and has >3.1B.
11,990 – Same with Gonghe; just a bit smaller than Earth, and now >2.5B colonists/descendants living on it.
10,760 – Albion is smallest of all those just named, but still has more than 2.1B.
10,582 – Bernadette is even smaller than Albion, yet has the most people of those worlds; nearly 3.8B.
9,358 – Valentine, >5.3B; same number of people as on Sihnon, but on a surface area nearly 2x less (275,000,000 km^2 compared to 521,000,000 km^2) –though there could be larger/more oceans on Sihnon; the land-portion of the outer-surface area could be comparable

Regarding Populations:

Total population: ~37.9B (and <39.5B for this whole sub-system; ~1.5B spread across its many other planets and moons)
Population of the rest of 34 Tauri: >10,461,257,767 (not counting Reavers) [(Burnham ~5,200 Reavers) + (Heinlein >788,500,000) + (Himinbjorg >79,773,000) + (Huang Long 3B (179,980,000 not specified)) + (Lux 3,134,292,000) + (Murphy >377,206,767) + (Penglai >31,157,000) + (Qin Shi Huang 846,681,000) + (Qing Long 18,000,000 (893,000 not specified)) + (Xuan Wu >311,008,000) + (Zhu Que 1,874,640,000)]
Population of all of 34 Tauri: ~37.9B + >10,461,257,767 = >48,361,257,767 (though, again, many worlds’ populations were not specified in the soft-disclosure, and 50B is the best guess for total of humans spread across all the worlds in this multi-star system)

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Planets Images: