I have two bits of news related to astronomy.  First, this beautifully made map of the night sky as of Portalarium’s summer telethon part 1.

This image is pieced together from screenshots from the telethon and shows the constellations with additional imagery when you equip the upcoming astrolabe neckless but there are two other things I’d like to point out here.

The first is the arrangement of constellations appears to have been updated.  So far the constellations have always travelled the New Britannia sky from west to east.. or if you’re facing North.. from left to right.  However, the order of appearance of the constellations didn’t follow traditional Ultima lore.. now with this arrangement that would seem to be fixed.

Additionally, there is an additional image worked in.. if you look closely above the Tear of Sacrifice you’ll see the image of an eye.  While perhaps not significant it is a deviation and an interesting piece of additional detail.

The second other bit of news is the Friday Night Astronomy event is starting up again.  7:30pm CST on Friday nights.  All are welcome to come and check out the stars in our sky, pick my brains or just hang out.  I am hoping to add some variety to the event and move around a bit so what the event announcements for any details.

In the heaven beyond our skies, dwell stars whose numbers are beyond our reckoning. Within our heaven, circling our world, sweeps our bright sun. Nine other orbs trace tight paths around our world. The shattered moon Daedelus is desolate, its light only a reflection of the sun’s brilliance.

The other eight orbs are thought by some to be planets like our own. According to the roles they play in our many legends, they have been named for the anti-virtues of the avatars. The closest is Deciet, followed further out by Despite, Dastard, Injustice, Punishment, Dishonor, Carnality, and Vanity.

– Celestial New Britannia