ENCYCLOPEDIA GALACTICA Edition 428193 - Earth English Definition: ’Theroux Alignment’ A language English1 scientific expression for a periodic orbital event affecting Lagrange or L-planets2 associated with the L2 (Joseph-Louis) Lagrange3 point within a “near-binary” trinary star system. Put simply, “L2-planets” periodically align along their system’s major stellar axis and retain this configuration until stellar gravitational flux forces the alignment to break. A phenomena which includes characteristics of planetary ring mechanics – ring ‘spokes’. It is named after C.S.S. Command Pilot David Theroux who led the first human expedition to investigate L2-planets.3 A “near-binary” trinary system consists of three stars. Two stars in this group are tightly bound together. Separation is less than three (3) percent that of their distance(s) to the third star. Like true binary systems, for there to be Lagrange points the ratio of mass between the third star and the close binaries has to be greater than twenty-five (25) to one (1) respectively. L2 is the point of gravitational equilibrium found between two celestial objects orbiting a common barycentre. In true binary systems this point is unstable – centred on a potential energy crest – and an object there will not remain in place over time.4 However, in a “near binary” system the potential profile of the L2 will have plateaus that create loops of stability. Within these loops matter may coalesce into planetary sized bodies. The masses of such bodies will be “negligible” in contrast to the masses of the three stars themselves. But for a A-K=K or A-K=M trinary,5,6 combined masses of the order of Neptune (1026kg) are possible.7 Loops of stability are not orbits. All L-planets orbit their parent stars simultaneously. L2-planets, like T-planets,8 have a pronounced progression from their normal orbit.9 And relative to each other, such bodies seem to travel in highly eccentric ‘paths’ around a non-existent centre. The separation of member bodies varying greatly during their true orbital period. L2-planets also do not experience a night time as both sides are illuminated by the opposing stars in their system. But when L2-planets come close together their gravitational attraction overcomes their relative momentum and draw them even closer. A near collision creates an electrostatic deferential between the bodies as their magnetic field lines become entangled. And like charged particles caught in a larger magnetic field, a temporary alignment along the system’s major stellar axis occurs. This is a Theroux alignment and the L2-planets move as one across the L2 point. Like a traditional L2 point, Theroux alignments are not stable. The period of alignment is largely dependent upon the period of revolution of the close binaries and the variance of their separation over that period. This is the greatest source of force differential acting on the L2-planets. Alignments may last for hours or weeks. The longest observed Theroux alignment is 4.23x106 seconds – nearly forty-nine (49) days. Theroux alignments are the only time L2-planets may experience partial or complete night on one or both sides. In the case of EGO 1730-00002091694 in Constellation Andromeda all its suns (A-K=M) are eclipsed by its much larger companion bodies for the entire duration of the alignment. The surface experiences total darkness for 1.47x106 seconds – over seventeen (17) days, eleven (11) hours - once every twenty-two (22) years. It is during these events that the otherwise arid environment experiences precipitation in the form of rain and snow due to the sudden temperature drop. And the native photo-phobic subterranean carnivores venture onto the surface to feed on the surface life now vulnerable due to the lack of light. There is also substantially increased seismic activity which has made the surface and near surface rich in rare minerals and metals. Notes: EGO: Encyclopedia Galactica Object Reference: 1Civilization Humanity: Linguistic Types 2Definition: ’Lagrange Planet’ 3Civilization Humanity: Members of Note 4There are five (5) Lagrange points in a traditional two body system. Points L1 thru L3 along the body axis are unstable. 5The most common stellar classes found in “near binary” trinaries with Lagrange points. 6Civilization Humanity: Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram 7Civilization Humanity: Scientific Standards 8Definition: ’Trojan Planet’ 9Definition: ’Orbital Progression’