Joturnia-Mithgorne System

The Joturnia-Mithgorne System properly consists of the two worlds, Joturnia, and Mithgorne, and their twelve satellites, the Luminary Worlds. These worlds orbit the star, Zalawt, which is effectively their sun. The world of Mithgorne is completely or mostly water and is about three or four times the size of Joturnia by volume. Joturnia in contrast is nearly the size of the planet Earth. According to titanist accounts, the two worlds were established by ancient titans over half a million years ago. The two worlds in effect orbit around each other as the barycenter is somewhere at or near the surface of Mithgorne. The proximity of the two worlds would defy conventional astronomy and physics. The worlds' gravity does not destroy each other due to extra-dimensional metaphysics put in place probably by the ancient arch-titans who established the two worlds. The twelve luminary worlds are very roughly the size of Earth's moon and orbit much farther out from the dual worlds. There is a very thin atmosphere that reaches over half a million kilometers out, thus wrapping all the luminary worlds. This atmospheric space is called the Jahrunah which is also the name of a god.

The axis of Joturnia is such that it points directly to the center of its companion world, Mithgorne. This allows for a very harsh difference in climate between the north pole which points to Mithgorne and the south pole with always points away. The north polar region is cold, wet, and often inundated with snows. The south polar region is extremely dry. Merchants of the Terubian Empire use great titanship tankers to haul in water from outer space

Astronomical Description

The Joturnia-Mithgorne System comprises the two worlds in orbit with each other around a common barycentric center and their twelve satellites known as the ‘Luminary Worlds.’ These worlds were established in their order some billion years ago by the arch-titans who employed supra-dimensional physics beyond the understanding of mere mortals. For this reason, the proximity of the worlds to each other is much greater than normally understood to be permitted by astrophysics. Despite their proximity, the property of gravity does not tear them apart.

The core of the Joturnia-Mithgorne System are the namesakes, Joturnia and Mithgorne. Mithgorne is the larger of the two, made up almost completely of water. Due to its greater mass, the barycenter of the Joturnia-Mithgorne System passes very near or through its outer surface. Farther from the barycenter is the smaller world of Joturnia which in some ways is very Earth-like and others rather different. The striking quality of these two worlds is that the axis of their rotation is common, that is, it passes through both and through the barycenter. Joturnia’s north pole points to the barycenter along a straight line that passes directly into Mithgorne’s south pole, through Mithgorne, and out its north pole. It is like the barycenter is perpendicular to the orbital plane. Thus, the northern hemisphere of Joturnia is continually facing Mithgorne, and in contrast, the southern hemisphere of Mithgorne is continually facing Joturnia.

The planes of the orbits twelve luminary worlds are nearly in plane with each other. They orbit the barycenter of the Joturnia-Mithgorne System but are not exactly in plane with them. The twelve luminary worlds are each, individually, smaller than Joturnia. Their expected gravitational effect on Joturnia, especially with regard to tides, is much dampened, due likely to the supra-dimensional physics employed by the arch-titans.

The Joturnia-Mithgorne System in turn orbits the star (sun) Zalawt. It is in the position of the fourth planet. There are three planetary systems closer to the Zalawt than the Joturnia-Mithgorne System and a handful farther out.

Climate of Joturnia

The climate of Joturnia thus differs from earth. The southern hemisphere is dry and hot, especially as one progresses to the south pole with is infernally hot and dry, like the Sahara Desert. This is because the position of the south pole of Joturnia is analogous to the position of the equator of earth which more directly faces the sun. The northern hemisphere, in contrast, is cold and wet, with massive blizzards around the north pole. The equatorial region is the most balanced in climate. The north pole continually faces towards Mithgorne. The water from the greater world passes in thin vapors from it and first strikes the northern hemisphere causes great snowfall and rainfall throughout the year.

Appearance of the Sky

To observers in the southern hemisphere, the sun (Zalawt) appears to spiral in circles that move across the daytime sky. For this reason, Joturnia is sometimes called "The World of the Dancing Sun." The closer one approaches the infernal south pole, the tighter and smaller the circles are. To observers near the equator, the sun appears to spiral in a great circle about the same size as the horizon. To observers in the northern hemisphere, the sun appears to spiral in circles that move across the daytime sky. The closer one approaches the infernal south pole, the tighter and smaller the circles are, much like in the southern hemisphere. However, the planet Mithgorne dominates the sky day and night, appearing closer and closer to the zenith of the sky as one approaches the north pole. Mithgorne effectively blots out the sun continually to those who are at or near the north pole. To those in the northern hemisphere who are not so close to the north pole, Mithgorne often causes a Mithgornal Eclipse as the sun passes behind it. Mithgorne thus reduces the total amount of sunlight that strikes the northern hemisphere, reducing its overall warmth.

Luminary Worlds

Main article: Luminary Worlds of Joturnia

The twelve luminary worlds are essentially moons that circle the Joturnia-Mithgorne System. They appear in the night sky and pass through phases much like Earth’s moon. All twelve moons are hospitable to life as they have their own atmospheres. Despite their significantly lesser mass, they have the same gravity as Joturnia which for practical purposes is regarded as the same as that of Asdar or Earth. This property was doubtless established by the arch-titans who used supra-dimensional physics.

Tamtu

Main article: Tamtu

See also: Jahrunah

Tamtu is the name that the ancients of Joturnia gave to the shimmering body of water that penetrates the reaches of space. It in fact wraps all the worlds of the Joturnia-Mithgorne System. The ancients regarded it as a primitive cosmogonic divinity. This body has other properties established by the arch-titans and perhaps is why the worlds of the Joturnia-Mithgorne which are in such close proximity to each other do not collapse.

Gravity Shield

Joturnian scientists believe that a gravity shield surrounds Mithgorne and protects Joturnia and the luminary worlds from the adverse effects of its gravity. It is believed the gravity shield was established by the arch-titans in deep antiquity.

Map of the Joturnia-Mithgorne System

Map of the Joturnia-Mithgorne System

See Also

• Chronology of Joturnia
• Joturnia
• Joturnia-Mithgorne
• Languages of the World of Joturnia
• List of Cities of Joturnia
• Luminary Worlds of Joturnia
• Mithgorne
• Starsea
• Terubian Empire
• World of Joturnia