Lalande 21185

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This page contains Fenspace Infinities material. Fenspace Infnities material hasn't "happened" by the current timeline, though it's already been referenced in future-history or alt-history Fenspace stories and discussion. Here there be dragons of questionable canonicity, you have been warned. --The Mgt
Places in Fenspace
Lalande 21185
Stellar characteristics
ConstellationUrsa Major
Right ascension (Epoch J2000)11h 03m 20.194s
Declination (Epoch J2000)+35h 58m 11.55s
Spectral typeM2 V
Distance from Sol8.32 ly
Other designationsGatewood's Star, LAL 21185, BD+36 2147, G 119-052, Gliese 411, HD 95735, HIP 54035, LFT 756, LHS 37, LTT 12960, MCC 594, PLX 2576, SAO 62377, NLTT 26105, IRAS 11005+3615
PlanetsGatewood (Lalande 21185 I)
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Lalande 21185 is a a red dwarf star in the constellation of Ursa Major.

Vernor Vinge Fen refer to this star as "Gatewood's Star", after the reference in his novel Marooned in Realtime.

Gatewood

Planet Lalande 21185 I, usually called Gatewood, was first explored in 2015. Its near-Earth-normal surface gravity and (barely) breathable atmosphere, both of which were completely unexpected by the exploration team, caused it to quickly become a popular destination for tourists. The few colonists who have settled the Lalande 21185 system have decided to keep Gatewood as a nature preserve for the foreseeable future, keeping urban centers and local industries in orbit where they will not pollute the planet.

One of the redweed forests in the semi-tropical band of Gatewood's dayside.
One of the redweed forests in the semi-tropical band of Gatewood's dayside.

The plants that evolved under Lalande's light absorb more infrared radiation than visual. The red color comes from anthocyanin compounds that help protect the plants from the increased amount of ultraviolet light that comes from constant exposure to a mildly variable red dwarf star.

The Lombardi River, so named for is gently sweeping curves and flower-filled vistas, is one of the more scenic sights to be had on Gatewood. A popular pastime among the tourists (especially the romantically-involved ones) is to take a ride down the river on the gondola of an Undine. The stretch pictured here, often called St. Valentine's Bend, is one of the most popular excursion sites.