[ audio ]

[airskate]

This is Shadow.

[ No description of his vehicle this time. ]

First, does anyone recognize any of the stars or constellations?

Second, does anyone know the best way to record the ones that aren't familiar?

If we're thorough enough, we might be able to use the stars to navigate.


( OOC: I asked the mods about the stars here if you'd like more info! )

Comments

[Voice]

[constantvrunning]

[V is... somewhat... adjusting to people using the Network for things that are Not Text.]

I can help make a composite view - but no, I do not recognize any constellations either.

We can either use photo-taking devices, or make a drawing on a large enough paper and fill it in as we go.

... We could tell if there are other planets, too, not just stars. The difference between them is consistent, since this planet's atmosphere is mostly unchanged from the Earth I know.

[Improbable as that seemed, considering the literal moon fragments everywhere.]

[airskate]

[ Okay, that's good news all around. Except... ]

We'll just need to find enough paper.

[ But more importantly: ]

How can you tell stars and planets apart?

[constantvrunning]

With the right drawing utensils, fabric could take the place of paper. If people are willing to donate.

[Many Drifters need to prioritize clothes, which is understandable.]

Normally it'd depend on how thick the atmosphere is, but- planets are steady points of light relative to the Earth. Stars flicker.

[Okay, tinkle, but V prefers flicker as a word.]

[airskate]

[ Flickering lights vs steady lights? Shadow considers that for a moment. ]

I don't think I've noticed any yet—but there must be many more stars than planets.

[constantvrunning]

I am not sure how we'd verify any numbers, here.

[Not all astronomic data survived the Cataclysm...]

But stars are certainly easier to see; planets are only noticeable when they impact a star's orbit, or reflect its light. If there's other planets within this solar system, those are the likeliest - we've neither resources nor time to consider what else may be out there.

[The biggest threat appears to be parts of the moon, anyway.]

[airskate]

[ Resources... ]

You mean telescopes?

[constantvrunning]

Yes - we can make them by hand, but recreating the lenses will take very precise glass-shaping.

[Unless they're going for a very rudimentary one.]

[airskate]

What sort of supplies would you need?

[constantvrunning]

A magnifying glass would have the right kind of lens, if we can find one. Very simple telescopes only require carefully folded and cut cardboard to manage the refracted light.

If we only find items like regular 'seeing' glasses, we would need to experiment.

[airskate]

Would you need something to try to grind the glasses lenses?

[constantvrunning]

I may need to talk to - Waver is his name, I believe.

[As the most Science-Inclined person V has met here thus far.]

We may have to build one out of spare parts for the vehicles, short of us coming across an appropriate tool in an abandoned house.

[Which is not Ideal, but it's Something.]

[airskate]

Waver Velvet? I've met him.

[ Though he's not who Shadow would call the most science-inclined among them. ]

There's someone else I can try asking, as well.

[constantvrunning]

[V really should talk to Jayce, one of these days.]

Probably a good idea to have more than one potential source of help, anyhow.

Thank you, Shadow.

[airskate]

No, thank you. I like stars, but I don't know much about them.