Dyzzleberry Dictionary ::
Time on Planet Authair
Authair revolves around the center of gravity between its two nearest suns, Olym and Valym. The measure of time for one revolution is determined by the annual approach to the third sun, Proxi, of the three-star system. It too revolves around the other two suns but has an extremely long period of revolution. To determine the length of an Authairian year, the Authairians mark the year’s beginning when Planet Authair is at its closest to Proxi.
Authair’s orbit between the two suns is like a Ferris wheel. Authair is not circling any planet. It circles the center of gravity of the two suns and that keeps Authair stable in its orbit. Each time Authair is at the top of the imaginary Ferris-wheel, that is the closest approach to Proxi and that takes the equivalent of twelve Earth years or one proxi-cycle. The closest approach of Planet Authair to Proxi has a biological significance for life on Authair similar to the biological significance that the lunar cycle has on Earth.
Authair rotates on an axis that is parallel to its axis of rotation around the center of gravity between its two suns. The direction of rotation is the same as that of its revolution.
On Authair, when an Olympyon sees Proxi rise above the horizon, a Valympyon will see Proxi set below the horizon. All this time, the suns Olym and Valym are shining. When an Authairian sees Proxi rise two times, that is equivalent to one of their days, equaling one full wake- and sleep-cycle.