Project: Dune Stars
by admin · September 19, 2020
POSTERS
Here are two poster images showing the real-world stars that Frank Herbert mentions in his Dune novels. These posters are optimised for A1 size full resolution 9934 x 7016 and can be downloaded for free below. One poster shows each star as well as where it is located in a star map, whilst the other poster just shows the stars themselves in a larger version.
You are free to download, share, print, copy or otherwise use this work for non-commerical purposes. Whilst these posters are provided free of charge, any token donations of appreciation would be fantastic and go towards continuing producing and publishing astrophotography images. All images on my website are free to use as well! Donations can be made by clicking on the Paypal donation button in the left sidebar.
DETAILS
In Frank Herbert's "Dune" novels the fictional planets in the Dune universe were often assigned to real world stars. For example, in the appendix of the first novel Dune, Herbert states that the planet Arrakis orbits the star Canopus located in the constellation Carina.
Being a big fan of Dune, as well as an amateur astrophotographer, I started a project this year (after two years of procrastination) to photograph all the stars that were mentioned in Herbert's "Dune" books as well as the "Dune Encyclopedia" and present them in a poster so that all can see how the real universe is as wonderous as that presented in science fiction.
Photos of the stars were taken through my telescope using a Canon EOS6D this year (2020) from Chittering, Western Australia.
FOLLOW
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FICTION
FACT
MY PHOTOS
ARRAKIS
Arrakis (also known as "dune", and later "Rakis" after the fall of the God Emperor) is the 3rd planet of Canopus [1]. It was a harsh desert planet that was also the only source of the spice Melange. It later became the Imperium's center under Muad'Dib's empire.
Local inhabitants are named the Fremen.
It was a focal point between House Harkonnen and House Atriedes during their conflict.
Canopus (Alpha Carinae)
- Constellation: Carina
- Spectral Type: A9II
- Apparent Mag: -0.74
- Distance: 310 light years
- Size: 71 solar radii
Canopus is an ageing giant blue star, and is the second brightest star in the night sky. Canopus is a source of X-rays, which are probably produced by its corona, magnetically heated to several million Kelvin. The spectrum of Canopus indicates that it has exhausted its core hydrogen and evolved away from the main sequence.
BELA TEGEUSE
Bela Tegeuse is the 5th planet of Kuentsing [1,2]. The 3rd stop for the Zensunni as part of their forced migration, they lived on the planet for eight centuries. Kuentsing is Chinese for an asterism in Lepus, and the star is identified as Iota Leporis [5].
Iota Leporis
- Constellation: Lepus
- Spectral Type: B7V
- Apparent Mag: 4.45
- Distance: 232 light years
- Size: 2.29 solar radii
Iota Leporis is a triple star system. The primary is a blue-white star, the close second companion is a source of X-ray emission, and the third component, AM Leporis, is a BY Draconis variable.
CALADAN
Caladan is the 3rd planet of Delta Pavonis, and the ancestral home of House Atreides for twenty-six generations prior to Arrakis [1]. In 10191 AG House Atreides was requested by the Emperor to change its fief of Caladan for Arrakis which had previously been managed by House Harkonnen.
In the time of the Lost Ones (thousands of years after the revolt of Arrakis), Caladan's name was shortened to Dan.
Caladan is a lush oceanic world, primarily agricultural and known for its pundi rice.
Delta Pavonis
- Constellation: Pavo
- Spectral Type: G8IV
- Apparent Mag: 3.56
- Distance: 20 light years
- Size: 1.22 solar radii
At an estimated 19.9 light years from Earth, Delta Pavonis is one of the nearest bright stars in the night sky. Spectroscopic examination of Delta Pavonis shows that it has a higher abundance of elements heavier than helium (metallicity). It is expected to stop fusing hydrogen relatively soon (in astronomical terms), and start the process of becoming a red giant.
CHUSUK
Chusuk is the 4th planet of Theta Shalish [1]. Shalish is a Jewish word and associated with Aries [3].
It was named in honour of Emi Chusuk, a great composer. Chusuk is called the “music planet” and noted for the supreme quality of its musical instruments. The majority of the population practice the Navachristianity religion.
It was also the home of Varota.
Theta Arietis
- Constellation: Aries
- Spectral Type: A1V
- Apparent Mag: 5.58
- Distance: 450 light years
- Size: 2.5 solar radii
Theta Arietis is barely visible to the naked eye, outside of city lights.
CORRIN
Corrin is a planet near the star Sigma Draconis, of which the Battle of Corrin (88 BG) was named after. The battle brought the Padishah Emperors to the imperial throne, and House Corrino was named in honour of the battle to become the ruling House of the Imperium. [1]
Alsafi (Sigma Draconis)
- Constellation: Draco
- Spectral Type: G9V
- Apparent Mag: 4.67
- Distance: 19 light years
- Size: 0.77 solar radii
Sigma Draconis has a high proper motion, advancing across the celestial sphere at a rate of 1.835 arc seconds per year. As of 2020 there is an unconfirmed report of a Uranus sized planet orbiting the star every 308 days.
Images sourced from Aladin.
ECAZ AND LOGI
Logi and Ecaz are the 3rd and 4th planet orbiting Toliman [1,2].
Thufir Hawat, Mentat to the Atreides was born on Logi.
Ecaz (nicknamed "The sculptor's paradise") was the source of Fogwood, favoured by artists as it can be shaped solely by human thought. It is also home to elacca wood from which is derived the Semuta (a highly addictive narcotic), the truth serum verite, sapho, pleniscenta and the hufuf vine which is used to makie Krimskel Fiber.
Ecaz was captured by the Honored Matres in 15230 AG, some time before the death of Great Honored Matre Dama.
Toliman (Alpha Centauri B)
- Constellation: Centaurus
- Spectral Type: K1V
- Apparent Mag: 1.33
- Distance: 4.37 light years
- Size: 0.86 solar radii
Alpha Centauri is a triple star system, of which Toliman is the B star. Alpha Centauri A and B form a close binary star, appearing as a single star to the naked eye. Together they form the third brightest star in the night sky.
FIDES
Fides is the second planet of Luyten’s Star. Harq Al-Harba, the Dramatist Laureate, died on this planet in 10317 A.G. [2]
Otherwise, not much is know of this planet.
Luyten's Star
- Constellation: Canis Minor
- Spectral Type: M3V
- Apparent Mag: 9.87
- Distance: 12 light years
- Size: 0.35 solar radii
Luyten's Star is a red dwarf with a magnitude of 9.87 (to dim to see with the naked eye). It is named after Willem Jacob Luyten who first determined its high proper motion in 1935.
In March 2017, two candidate planets were discovered orbiting Luyten's Star. The outer planet, GJ 273b, is a Super Earth and in its star's habitable zone, the closes known planet to be so. The inner planet, GJ 273c, is one of the lightest exoplanets detected by radial velocities, with a mass of only 1.18 ± 0.16 Earth masses.
In 2019, two more candidate planets were detected by radial velocity, making a total of four known planets in the system.
GEIDI PRIME
Geidi Prime is the third planet orbiting the star 36 Ophiuchi B [1]. It is the homeworld of House Harkonnen and is described as a median-viable world with a low active photosynthesis range, likely due to heavy industrialisation.
Whilst the planet is predominantly volcanic wasteland, the few forests remaining are home to Pilingitam trees, known for their fire resistance and anti-fungal properties.
36 Ophiuchi B
- Constellation: Ophiuchus
- Spectral Type: K1V
- Apparent Mag: 5.08
- Distance: 19.5 light years
- Size: 0.81 solar radii
36 Ophiuchi is a triple star system. The primary and secondary stars are nearly identical orange dwarfs and are separated by only 4.6 arc seconds (they are so close together that they are not resolved in this image).
GIOIA
Alberto Ginaztera was born on Gioia, a planet of Beta Tauri [2]. He was a very talented singer and musician, and together with his wife formed a troupe that soon became famous and rich - playing even at the Imperial Palace. They became a minor nobility.
After his death, his wife increased his family’s fortunes to become House Ginaz, an ally of House Atriedes and renowned throughout the Imperium for its Swordmaster School, of which Duncan Idaho was a graduate of.
Elnath (Beta Tauri)
- Constellation: Taurus
- Spectral Type: B7III
- Apparent Mag: 1.65
- Distance: 134 light years
- Size: 4.2 solar radii
The second brightest star in the constellation, Elnath is an Arabic word meaning "the butting" (the bull's horns). It is a B-class giant that has evolved away from the main sequence.
There is a faint star that appears close enough to Beta Tauri for astronomers to consider it a double star. Its potential companion, known as BD+28 795B is separated from the main star by 33.4 arcseconds.
GRUMMAN AND GAMONT
The name Niushe is the Chinese name for Psi Draconis [3].
Grumman is the 2nd planet of Niushe and home of House Moritani [1]. House Moritani was defeated by House Ginaz in a War of Assassins. House Atreides may have been involved in this war as Duncan Idaho stated that his "sword was first blooded on Grumman".
Gamont is the 3rd planet of Niushe and known for its hedonistic culture [1]. The world was later conquered by the Honored Matres.
Dziban (Psi1 Draconis A)
- Constellation: Draco
- Spectral Type: F5IV
- Apparent Mag: 4.58
- Distance: 75 light years
- Size: 1.25 solar radii
Psi1 Draconis is a triple star system, of which Dziban refers to Psi1 Draconis A. The name is derived from the Arabic Adh-Dhi'ban, meaning "The two wolves" or "The two jackals". Whilst no exoplanet has been discovered around Dziban, Psi1 Draconis B has a confirmed Jupiter-like exoplanet with an orbital period of 3117 days.
Image sourced from Aladin.
HAGAL AND SHANDOR
Hagal and Shandor are the 2nd and 3rd planet of Theta Shaowei [1,2]. Shaowei is equated to Leo [3].
Hagal was known as the “jewel planet” rich in soostones and fire opals. The planet was mined out completely in the time of Padishah Emperor Shaddam I. Subsequent emperors sat upon a throne made from a single piece of translucent blue-green Hagal quartz.
Not much is known of Shandor, apart from the fact that it was the scene of a rebellion in 13664 A.G. [2].
Chertan (Theta Leonis)
- Constellation: Leo
- Spectral Type: A2V
- Apparent Mag: 3.32
- Distance: 165 light years
- Size: 4.02 solar radii
Theta Leonis is a star much younger than the Sun, with an estimated age of around 550 million years. Measurements in the infrared band show an excess of emission from the star and its surroundings, suggesting the presence of a circumstellar disk of dust. The temperature of this emission indicates the disk has an orbital radius of 36 AU.
HEIGHLINER GRAVEYARD
When Heighliners were decommissioned, the Guild parked these in “cold orbits” around planet- less suns. One such place was discovered around Eta Ophiuchi [2].
Sabik (Eta Ophiuchi)
- Constellation: Ophiuchus
- Spectral Type: A1IV
- Apparent Mag: 2.43
- Distance: 88 light years
- Size: ? solar radii
Eta Ophiuchi is a binary star system that is difficult to resolve in amateur telescopes. The primary star is only slightly larger and hotter than its companion. Individually each star is a fairly unremarkable A class main sequence star, but as a binary pair they are unusual. Each star orbits around a common centre in a close and highly elliptical orbit, making planetary formation unlikely in this system and some stellar data imprecise.
ISHIA
Ishia is the 5th planet of Beta Tygri, and the 4th stop of the Zensunni migration [2]. Most sources re-assign “Tygri” to the constellation of Lynx because there is no Tygri in the list of modern constellations. However, the constellation of “Tigris” did exist from 1612, as described by astronomer and cartographer Petrus Planicus. The constellation of “Tigris” ran from the neck of Pegasus to the shoulder of Ophiuchus. Applying Bayer’s method of naming, “Beta Tigris” would have likely been assigned to the star 52 Cygni.
Ishia is a hot, arid world - shaping the Zensunni into their destiny as Freman of Arrakis.
52 Cygni
- Constellation: Cygnus (Tigris)
- Spectral Type: G9III
- Apparent Mag: 4.22
- Distance: 201 light years
- Size: 13.81 solar radii
52 Cygni is a giant star in the northern constellation of Cygnus. It is a frequent target of amateur astrophotographers due to its close proximity to the western part of the Veil Nebula.
KAITAIN
Kaitain is a variant of the arabic name “al ukd al haitain”, the name for Alpha Piscium [3]. It is the location of the Imperial Court and the Imperial Capital of the Corrino Empire until unseated after the events of Dune. While House Corrino originated from Salusa Secondus, the Golden Lion Throne was moved to Kaitain as some undetermined point in history.
The Imperial Capital moved from Kaitain to Arrakis in 10,193 AG after the defeat of House Corrino by House Atreides.
Alrescha (Alpha Piscium A)
- Constellation: Pisces
- Spectral Type: A2
- Apparent Mag: 3.82
- Distance: 151 light years
- Size: 2.56 solar radii
Alrescha is a binary star system, although Alpha Piscium A is referred to as Alrescha as well. The name is Arabic for "the Cord", but the system has also been referred to as "Kaitain" (which matches the fictional name of the planet).
PORITRIN
Poritrin is the 3rd planet of Epsilon Alangue [3]. Alangue is a corruption of “Al Hawwa”, an Arabic name for Ophiuchus. The planet is an established agricultural world with a plentiful supply of water and long, gentle growing seasons.
This planet was the 1st stop of the Zensunni Wanderers, and considered their planet of origin.
House Maros gave the planet to Emperor Elrood V. In 4492 AG the Landsraad leaders of the First Republic allocated Poritrin to House Alexin (whose world, Pelouzen, had been rendered uninhabitable by a series of semi-legal atomics tests).
Yed Posterior (Epsilon Ophiuchi)
- Constellation: Ophiuchus
- Spectral Type: G9III
- Apparent Mag: 3.22
- Distance: 106 light years
- Size: 10.39 solar radii
Yed Posterior is a giant red star that has exhausted its hydrogen and evolved away from the main sequence.
RICHESE AND IX
Richese and Ix are the 4th and 9th planet of Eridani A [1], identified as 40 Eridani A (or Keid) [3].
Both Ix and Richese are noted for their machine culture and miniaturisation.
In the past, Ix paid tribute to the planet Richese. It is also with some irony that Ix spawned the Butlerian Jihad. It later joined the Imperium after being isolated for many centuries.
Keid (Omnicron2 Eridani)
- Constellation: Eridanus
- Spectral Type: K0V
- Apparent Mag: 4.43
- Distance: 16 light years
- Size: 0.81 solar radii
Omnicron2 Eridani is a triple star system, whose primary is designated with the name Keid and is orbited by a binary pair.
In 2018, a planet was discovered orbiting 40 Eridani A with a minimum mass of 8 times that of Earth. The planet has an orbit of 42 days, but is unlikely to support life. It is one of the closest Super-Earths known currently.
RIMA
Rima is the 5th planet of Altair [2]. It is a mining planet rich in dilaubite. A large number of Rima’s miners worked side by side with Fremen on Rossack and influenced the development of the Fremen language.
Altair (Alpha Aquilae)
- Constellation: Aquila
- Spectral Type: A7V
- Apparent Mag: 0.76
- Distance: 17 light years
- Size: 2.03 solar radii
At 16.7 light years from our Sun, Altair is one of the closest stars visible to the naked eye. Altair rotates so fast that it is not spherical but flattened at the poles.
ROSSAK
Rossak is the 5th planet of Alces Minor [2]. This is associated with the star HD95424, near Alkes [3].
It is the 5th stop of the Zensunni, and the planet of origin of the Reverend Mothers. This planet was also where the Awareness spectrum narcotic that released the "Other Memories" of their Sayyadinas was discovered.
The Fremen of Arrakis would recall the raiders pursuing them on Rossak, through courtyards lush with greenery.
HD95424 (Near Alkes)
- Constellation: Crater
- Spectral Type: F5V
- Apparent Mag: ~9
- Distance: 707 light years
- Size: ? solar radii
SALUSA SECONDUS
Salusa Secondus is the 3rd planet of Gamma Waiping [1], “Wae Ping” is Chinese for the constellation Pisces [3]. It was the 2nd stop for the Zensunni, and later became the homeworld of House Corrino, and later still an Imperial prison planet (after House Corrino moved their royal court to the planet of Kaitain).
At the time of the Dune book, Salusa Secondus was the source of the Emperor’s Sardaukar. The planet has a severe environment, with dangerous creatures, extreme temperatures, and difficult terrain.
The planet is also where shigawire was grown.
Gamma Piscium
- Constellation: Pisces
- Spectral Type: G8III
- Apparent Mag: 3.70
- Distance: 138 light years
- Size: 11.28 solar radii
Gamma Piscium is slightly cooler than our Sun, but due to its size it shines with the light of 63 Suns. Gamma Piscium moves across the sky at three-quarters of an arcsecond per year, which at 138 light years is relatively fast. It is suggested that the star has migrated from another part of the galaxy and will quickly leave the vicinity of our Sun.
SIKUN
Sikun is a planet of 70 Ophiuchi A, known for growing the plant called Akarso [1]. Sikun was home to a blend of religions, including Islam, Buddism, and Christianity [1].
70 Ophiuchi A
- Constellation: Ophiuchus
- Spectral Type: K0V
- Apparent Mag: 4.03
- Distance: 17 light years
- Size: 0.91 solar radii
70 Ophiuchi is a binary star system that is visible to the naked eye away from city lights. The two stars orbit each other in a highly eccentric orbit with a separation varying between 11 and 34 AUs. It takes 88.38 years to complete one orbit. There are currently no known planets in this system.
TLEILAX
Tleilax is the lone planet of Thalim [1], and identified as Acamar [3]. It is home to the Bene Tleilax who are a society of highly religious, genetically altered humans. Tleilax is the source of “twisted Mentats” as well as biological and genetic experiments using their axolotl tanks.
The Tleilax race is also known as the Tleilaxu.
Acamar (Theta1 Eridani)
- Constellation: Eridanus
- Spectral Type: A3V
- Apparent Mag: 3.20
- Distance: 161 light years
- Size: 16 solar radii
Acamar is a binary star system, although there is some evidence that it may be a multi-star system. Its traditional name is derived from Arabic meaning "the end of the river".
YORBA
Yorba is the third planet of Alpha Cygni [2]. It is the birth place of Harq al-Harba, a famous playwright during of the Atreidean period. He served at court under the patronage of Ghanima Atreides.
Deneb (Alpha Cygni)
- Constellation: Cygnus
- Spectral Type: A2I
- Apparent Mag: 1.25
- Distance: 2,615 light years
- Size: 203 solar radii
A blue-white supergiant, Deneb's luminosity is somewhere between 55,000 and 196,000 times that of our Sun. Deneb was originally an O-type main sequence star, but it has now exhausted the hydrogen in its core and expanded to become a supergiant.
[1] Herbert, Frank (1965) “Dune”
[2] McNelly, Willis (1984) “Dune Encyclopedia”
[3] Daniels, Joseph (1999) “Dune Gazeteer”
[4] Author - Most sources re-assign “Tygri” to the constellation of Lynx because there is no Tygri in the list of modern constellations. However, the constellation of “Tigris” did exist from 1612, as described by astronomer and cartographer Petrus Planicus. The constellation of “Tigris” ran from the neck of Pegasus to the shoulder of Ophiuchus. Applying Bayer’s method of naming, “Beta Tigris” would have likely been assigned to the star 52 Cygni.
[5] The “Dune Wiki” states that the Chinese asterism of Kuentsing (army well) refers to Iota, Kappa, Lambda, and Nu Leporis.
