Several years ago , Central Connecticut astrophysics prof Kristine Larsen figured out the construction of the solar system from J.R.R. Tolkien ’s work , using hints scattered throughout the Book as well as her own knowledge of Tolkien ’s source cloth ( which is , not surprisingly , our own solar system ) .
This mapping shows some of Larsen ’s findings , though the creative person has falsely suggested that Luinil and Nénar correspond to Neptune and Uranus .
Ina recent paper aboutTolkein ’s galactic accuracy , Larson explains Tolkein ’s dedication to astronomical truth :
One get an immediate appreciation of just how deeply astronomical ideas are ingrain in the texture and fabric of Middle - worldly concern from a study of the chronology of event in “ The Lord of the Rings . ” Christopher Tolkien ’s emended book of the “ first drafts ” of this classic narration ( release as volumes in The History of mediate - earth ) are burst with references to the Sun Myung Moon and its phases . It appears that much , if not all , of the internal chronology of Frodo ’s journey across Middle - earth was time by and to the phases of the moon . For instance , consider the following part from Tolkien ’s own notes from the first draft of the Lothlórien incision of FOTR :
Nov. 24 Leave Rivendell
Dec. 6 Hollin ( Full Moon )
9 Snows on Caradras
11 strain Moria
13 Escape to Lothlórien ( Moon ’s last quarter )
14 Go to Caras Galadon
15 Night at Caras Galadon
16 Mirror of Galadrien
17 - 21 Stay at Caras Galadon ( Dec. 21 New Moon )
Dec. 22 - 31 Remain at Caras Galadon , leave with the New Year ( Dec. 28 Moon ’s first quarter ) .
These chronology were changed many time , finally settle on the lunar phases of 1941 - 2 ( although unfortunately many address to the phase of the moon were edit out of the final published version ) .
Tolkien was so “ wedded ” to his lunar chronology that he sometimes reached impasses in his work . In an April 26 , 1944 letter of the alphabet to his son , Tolkien said he had “ struggled with a recalcitrant passage in ‘ The Ring ’ , ” and then go on to say that “ at this period I want to sleep together how much later the lunar month gets up each night when nearing full , and how to stew a cony . ” ( TTT ) . A missive to his son six months later spoke of a “ most awkward error in the synchronicity … of the movement of Frodo and the others ” which temporarily stanch progress on LOTR . According to Chris Tolkien ’s enquiry , it is likely a job with Pippin and Frodo both see the same full moon from different locations in Middle - earth , and on what particular date this occurred . Tolkien ’s own notes say “ Whole of Frodo ’s and Sam ’s adventures must be coiffure back one day , so that Frodo sees moon - set on dawn ( early 60 minutes ) of Feb. 6 , and Faramir reaches Minas Tirith on the night of the 7th … . ( This can be done by making Frodo and Sam only weave four years in Emyn Muil ) . The next night Frodo would see from far aside the full moon set beyond Gondor and question where he was in the mists of the west … . ”
Read more of Larsen ’s paperon her website .
spotty onOneRing.net !
AstronomyAstrophysicsLord of the RingsScienceSpace
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