Astronomy in Fantasy

  • Thread starter Βοανηργες83
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Βοανηργες83

With all the advantages we have with modern technology we have the resources to make stories that dwarf our predecessors; not really trying to be better, because we wouldn't be anywhere without them...BUT we can make our stories new...and astronomy is another avenue that I feel should be used more. Imagine reading a story that makes a reference to a real celestial body and being able to go to an planetarium or even right outside your door and being able to look up and see what you were just reading about!!!

For example, I'm using the Norse pantheon in my main story; I've been studying Norse mythology the Old Norse language for nearly two years now and I have learned a lot. Also from studying other cultures and their mythologies, like the Africans for example, they believed that lightning comes from the Milky Way so in my story I will be calling it Eldingheima, "lightning-home" in Old Norse. My best example however was my attempt to find a home for the god of thunder, Thor...and through researching astronomy...I found it. BEHOLD...THE GREAT REALM OF HJALMTHORR(Thor's Helmet in Old Norse) When you view the pic you'll see why I gave it that name...AND YES...IT'S REAL!!!!!!!!! : )
<img src="http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/SonOfThunder83/Book Stuff/ThorsHelminCanisMajor2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
 
BlackViolet13

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I signed up for an astronomy class this semester just so I could use the ideas for my writing. And it's not just the celestial aspects I'm loving, but the physics, as well. I feel like this class has added an entire new dimension to my world, and it's been invaluable to me as a writer.

You ideas sound incredible :)
 
Brutal Mustang

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I just received a book old world building I bought off eBay, and am learning so much about space right now. It's kinda fun!

Although, one has to be careful, or else they'll bore the readers. I remember in Kate Elliot's Crown of Stars series, I'd get bored when the main character would drone on and on about the stars (not our stars, but I think I'd get just as bored).
 
Brutal Mustang

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World-Building A writer's guide to constructing star systems and life-supporting planets, by Stephen L. Gillett.

There have been some updates since this book (like the discovery of planets around stars other than our own). But the science is still pretty solid, and it has good ratings on Amazon.
 
Matera the Mad

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WOH! That is one cool nebula. I could see sticking Thor's face in there, nice subtle transparent overlay, for a book cover.

Of course it was Raven who created the Milky Way by spilling a basket of stolen stardust ;)
 

Βοανηργες83

BlackViolet13 said:
I signed up for an astronomy class this semester just so I could use the ideas for my writing. And it's not just the celestial aspects I'm loving, but the physics, as well. I feel like this class has added an entire new dimension to my world, and it's been invaluable to me as a writer.

You ideas sound incredible :)
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot...have you ever seen the Hourglass nebula? It lies in the constellation Musca the Fly...if you haven't seen it...prepare to be freaked out!!!
<img src="http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/SonOfThunder83/Book Stuff/hourglassnebula.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
 
BlackViolet13

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Βοανηργες83;2283370 said:
Thanks a lot...have you ever seen the Hourglass nebula? It lies in the constellation Musca the Fly...if you haven't seen it...prepare to be freaked out!!!
<img src="http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/SonOfThunder83/Book Stuff/hourglassnebula.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Click to expand...

:Jaw:​
OK that is freaky!

Check out this one, it's the Cat's Eye Nebula:

http://www.library.riverturn.org/images/cats_eye_full.jpg

and in red...

http://www.darasart.com/deepsky/caldwell/Cats_Eye_Nebula.jpg

and opal-ish...

http://www.deepfly.org/TheNeighborhood/CatsEyeNebula.jpg

I could probably look at them all day :)
 
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