Elben

History#

Elben is for obvious reason, the first planet to be “discovered” in the solar system: it is clearly visible in the sky during the day, and sometimes creates crepuscular nights every time the earth passes behind it.

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Grey mother

reading future in shape of clouds

Physical effect on Earth#

Among other things, Elben first and foremost effect are the eclipses: every 17 days approximately, the Earth is obscured by the planet which, depending on when during the day-night cycle is, can either creates mid-day nights lasting a few hours or nothing at all. These nights are characterized by slight greenish tints when transitioning to those nights due relatively colorless composition of the atmosphere of Elben and some impurities.

The second effect is its magnetic field: as Earth magnetic field is relatively weak, and getting weaker as time passes, Elben’s one is the only defense against the powerful solar winds which its the system and might kill all life on Earth.

Its mass also has a impact on tides, yielding a double-cycle tides with the moon. During “constructive” cycles, tides are stronger, or might barely happen during “destructive” cycles; conversely, the constructive tides might be more destructive to the ecosystem and to humans.

It is speculated that part of Earth’s life might have been sowed from Elben, given its large discrepancies with the rest of the tree of life.

Moon cycle#

Due to the moon being in a resonance orbit with the Earth, acting as a quasi-satellite, the Moon cycles and Elben’s cycles are synchronized and opposite.

Exploration#

Up until the 1960s, very little was known from Elben atmosphere. While its general composition and structure was known, everything was observed from Earth’s ground, and satellites were barely providing better data. But in 1965, Elba II, following the first iteration failure, successfully orbited around Elben before being thrown away from the system by a unplanned gravitational swing. Later that year, Elba III successfully dove into the ice giant atmosphere, providing confirmation of the atmosphere composition before burning up.


Elba II before integration

Elba IV has known a similar fate. In 1966, Elba V attempted to skim the atmosphere but burned before leaving it and fell deep into its core. Finally in 1967, Elba VII, following Elba VI scrubing due to manufacturing error, skimmed the atmosphere at a relative height of 120km, before leaving the planet and transmitting valuable data.

The Oncro Exploration Program (OEP) sent a probe that same year, which slowly dove into the core while sending data to an orbiter. Six other probes were sent, and Oncro 3, 5 and 6 sent pictures of actual life in Elben atmosphere: countries around the world have since promised exploration programs to investigate further, following the cultural shock of discovering life on another astral body.


Elba III last photograph

Speculations of human missions have been made, including within the atmosphere. However, the cost of sending a whole launcher to allow for return of the astronauts has been prohibitive so far. Several Spatial agency have speculated on building a space station around Elben, including possibly through international cooperation.

Life#


[Elben’s life and exploitation](https://www.notion.so/Elben-s-life-and-exploitation-3a0fedb567734bcfb6410f2c8c9d5e2b?pvs=21)

Altitude numbering#

Altitude is based around the typical altitude at which the pressure is equal to that of earth, and dealt as a “depth” : above level altitude numbers are negative and below as positive

<<issue with reaching core, but like earth, theorical>>

[AGE OF THE INTREPIDS: skimming Elben Atmosphere ](https://www.notion.so/AGE-OF-THE-INTREPIDS-skimming-Elben-Atmosphere-7c60dc30563441edad71ff78739fa9f1?pvs=21)

[Elben colonization](https://www.notion.so/Elben-colonization-bff42a648f1f4713bbf2600f75b259a1?pvs=21)