Colonize the Galaxy 1 book at a time #Astronomy #SciFi #MFRWhooks

Updated on 02/25/2024 by Kayelle Allen

Colonize the Galaxy

When I decided to write Science Fiction, I first did some serious, long-term worldbuilding. I created a future history, designed a language, set up a dating system to show how the various colonies interpreted time, and laid out a plan whereby mankind would inhabit and colonize the stars. I started doing this when I was 27, about 40 years ago.

My initial sketch was on sheets of paper taped together, because it kept getting bigger as I added details. If you're going to colonize the galaxy on paper, you need a lot of room!

Then about 14 years ago, when my son was taking graphic design in college, I asked him to create a galaxy for me to work with in Photoshop. He designed the background, and I then added the details.

To be honest, I always thought scientists and astronomers would have a giggle when they saw it. I'd populated the entire thing in huge sweeps, like an outreaching arm. I figured there were probably far too many worlds in my version, but it was my story, so I decided to go with it.

This year, a press release from the European Space Agency (ESA) announced they had entered the GTOC X competition, using data about reaching 100k star systems in an efficient way. The team provided a video online.

Imagine my surprise when I looked at it next to my own galaxy drawing.

In my story universe, in the upper right corner of the map, I have the Dark Star Realm. On the far right (unmapped on mine), it says Worlds of Wings. Humans aren't allowed there, so no one knows how many inhabited worlds exist in that area. The Tarthian Empire exists in a small area to the center left near the bottom. The ESA team closely matched my fictional conjectures.

Stop the video at the :57 mark to see the image captured at the top of the page.

To download my galaxy map in full resolution, visit the Tarthian Tour Company home page. The map is shown at the bottom and when you click it, it opens full size. You can then download or click again to zoom. Warning: large document -- you might have a wait time.

Posted in Research for Sci Fi Writers | Tagged Fun Stuff to Do, Science Fact, Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels, Tarthian Empire, Tarthian Tour Company |

Fun Facts Solar Eclipse 2017 #solareclipse #eclipse2017

Updated on 09/25/2023 by Kayelle Allen

While researching the solar eclipse happening in 2017, I discovered some fun facts. Here they are, in no particular order.

The last total solar eclipse in the continental United States was 38 years ago on Feb 26, 1979. The one prior to that was all the way back in 1442.
Totality is the time when the sun’s light is completely blocked by the moon.
This time totality only happens in the US.
Everyone in the continental US can see at least a partial eclipse. So will most of Canada and Mexico.
State capitols in the path of totality include Salem (OR), Jefferson City (MO), Nashville (TN), and Columbia (SC).
Telescopes aren’t necessary. You can see the effects of the solar eclipse with the naked eye.
Which brings me to the next point. Don’t LOOK at directly at the sun! Use proper eye protection. Here’s a link to solid info you can trust. https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety
The eclipse will plunge 14 different states into the dark.
You can see stars during the day during the eclipse.
A lunar eclipse occurs about two weeks before or after a solar eclipse.

Types of Solar Eclipse

Partial eclipses occur when the moon doesn’t line up completely. It only blocks part of the light.
Annular eclipses occur when the moon and sun line up directly but the moon is too far away from the Earth or we are closer to the sun. This makes a ring of light show around the moon.
Hybrid eclipses shift between a total and annular eclipse depending on where you view it from on Earth.
Total solar eclipses when the moon is the right distance to completely block the light.
Each year there are between 2-5 solar eclipses. They rarely cross the US, so we don’t see them.