STARS



By Aquiantus & Nigedo

The Dwemeri observatory on the island of Stros M'Kai, off the coast of Hammerfell, was built by the exiled Rourken clan sometime after 1E420 and unlike the many similar observatories that can be found in Morrowind, the Stros M'Kai Observatory is still in excellent condition.
The interior walls are lined with tall metal hangings, each one depicting one of the twelve fixed constellations (see 'The Firmament'). Of course, the Dwemer interpreted the constellations in ways that reflected their own culture and many of their depictions are alien to the modern Tamrielic styles.

A closely related set of insets can be found on the walls of Hearthfire Hall in Bamz-Amschend, the recently excavated settlement beneath Mournhold in Morrowind. Gaining access to this ruin to make a comparision may prove especially dangerous, though, so do exercise caution.
Stros M'Kai Observatory
Beneath each of the portraits is a floor button displaying the Dwemeris glyph that signifies that constellation. A chart on the observatory ceiling maps the relative positions of the twelve constellations, representing them using these glyphs.
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The picture to the left (which can be enlarged) reproduces the ceiling chart. The glyphs are shown in blue and yellow as they are on the original chart; blue glyphs indicate the Guardian Constellations and yellow indicate their charges.

We have added reference numbers to explain which constellation and season are represented by each glyph. The red numbers indicate their bands of latitude, while the green indicate their sectors.
The positions shown on the chart indicate where the observatory telescope should be directed in order to actually view each constellation. The floor buttons beneath the portraits rotate the observatory to target the correct sector for each constellation, while a wheel elevates the telescope to view the required latitude. Each of the Guardian Constellations appears in the same band of latitude as its three charges, with the lowest elevation being The Thief's latitude (numbered 1).

As each constellation is observed through the telescope, its Dwemeri depiction is somehow masked across the view, so that the stars shine through the points allowed for them. This is helpful, since it confirms the constellation being observed and isolates the key points in the Dwemeri depiction, making it easier to compare them with the known key points in the modern depiction. The glyph that signifies each constellation also appears in a display in the upper left corner of the viewing window.

Below is a summary of information about each of the constellations, including a rating of the degree to which key points in the Dwemeri constellations compare with those in the modern depictions.

The pictures shown are; (left) the metal hangings showing the Dwemeri depictions, (middle) actual views through the telescope and (right) the modern depictions of the constellations. (They can all be enlarged.)
1. Ritual
Glyph:X15
Guardian:Mage
Month:Morning Star
Compares:100%
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2. Lover
Glyph:X4
Guardian:Thief
Month:Sun's Dawn
Compares:100%
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3. Lord
Glyph:X16
Guardian:Warrior
Month:First Seed
Compares:Unsure
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4. Mage
Glyph:X10
Guardian:-
Month:Rain's Hand
Compares:Unsure
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5. Shadow
Glyph:X5
Guardian:Thief
Month:Second Seed
Compares:100%
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6. Steed
Glyph:X22
Guardian:Warrior
Month:Mid Year
Compares:100%
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7. Apprentice
Glyph:X13
Guardian:Mage
Month:Sun's Height
Compares:100%
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8. Warrior
Glyph:X17
Guardian:-
Month:Last Seed
Compares:Unsure
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9. Lady
Glyph:X7
Guardian:Warrior
Month:Hearthfire
Compares:100%
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10. Tower
Glyph:X6
Guardian:Thief
Month:Frost Fall
Compares:100%
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11. Golem
Glyph:X9
Guardian:Mage
Month:Sun's Dusk
Compares:100%
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12. Thief
Glyph:X14
Guardian:-
Month:Evening Star
Compares:Unsure
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Serpent
The Serpent moves about the sky freely and has no season or guardian. The depiction is taken from Bamz-Amschend, Morrowind.

It is made of 'unstars' so it is impossible to determine fixed points.
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