Dujorn

Dujorn, or Xeviron IV, is a Neptune-sized gas giant and the fourth and last planet in the Xeviron System of the Orion Arm of the Milkyway Galaxy.

Dujorn, a Neptune-sized gas giant, presents a fascinating and hostile environment that reflects the extreme conditions of its size, composition, and position in the Xeviron System. Unlike terrestrial planets, Dujorn lacks a solid surface and is composed almost entirely of hydrogen, helium, methane, and nitrogen, making it a classic gas giant with a composition similar to Uranus or Neptune. However, the unique combination of extreme atmospheric pressure and cold temperatures creates conditions vastly different from the more familiar gas giants in the solar system.   At its core, Dujorn likely harbors a dense, rocky, and metallic core, composed of elements such as iron and nickel, surrounded by layers of liquid hydrogen and helium. These elements form a thick, supercompressed liquid mantle, under extreme pressure and temperature, which gradually transitions into gaseous layers as one moves upward. The core’s mass is thought to be several times that of Earth, but it is difficult to directly observe due to the planet’s gaseous exterior. The atmosphere, which stretches thousands of kilometers deep into the planet, is characterized by high-pressure zones, particularly at deeper altitudes, where gases are compressed to a supercritical state—partially fluid and partially gas. This causes unique physical phenomena, such as dense, swirling cloud formations made primarily of methane and ammonia. These clouds appear as vivid blue and green hues due to the absorption of red and yellow wavelengths of light by methane, similar to the appearance of Neptune.   Dujorn’s extreme gravity—27.02 m/s²—further influences its physical characteristics, particularly in the planet's atmosphere. The intense gravitational pull distorts the shape of the planet, causing it to be slightly oblate at the poles and bulging at the equator. This shape, known as the "equatorial bulge," occurs because the planet rotates so slowly that its equatorial region experiences significant outward force. However, despite the slow rotation, the immense atmospheric pressure and high winds create constant turbulence, with massive storm systems that can last for weeks, if not months. At higher altitudes, Dujorn’s atmosphere transitions from dense, swirling clouds of methane to a rarified mix of hydrogen and helium, where the pressure gradually decreases with altitude. The outermost layers are exposed to the solar wind, which interacts with the planet’s strong magnetic field, creating periodic auroras and magnetic storms that flicker across the upper atmosphere.   The atmospheric pressure near Dujorn’s cloud tops is around 768.89 kPa, almost 7.5 times that of Earth’s surface pressure. This intense pressure also means that the gases remain in a dense, thick state, resulting in an overall haze that obscures the planet’s deeper layers from view. As one descends through the atmosphere, the temperature and pressure steadily rise, reaching temperatures of up to 1,000°C in the lower regions, where conditions could be conducive to the formation of exotic, metallic clouds or semi-solid, liquid-gas mixtures.

The climate of Dujorn is defined by extreme cold, violent atmospheric storms, and dynamic weather systems that are heavily influenced by the planet's dense composition and rapid rotation of its gaseous layers. The surface temperature of the gas giant, approximately 86.23 K (-186.92°C), is incredibly frigid, colder than the surface of most outer planets. This freezing environment exists in the uppermost layers of Dujorn’s atmosphere, where methane and nitrogen ice clouds form and swirl within the immense winds. This high-altitude cold is driven largely by the planet’s distance from its star, Xeviron, and its lack of a solid surface to retain heat. Despite the icy exterior, the internal structure of Dujorn generates substantial heat. The planet’s interior, consisting of a metallic core surrounded by liquid hydrogen and helium, is kept warm through gravitational compression and the slow release of heat from the planet’s formation. As a result, the lower layers of the atmosphere—particularly at altitudes around 10,000 kilometers deep—are significantly warmer, with temperatures rising to hundreds of degrees Kelvin. This creates a drastic temperature gradient between the upper and lower atmosphere, contributing to the planet’s volatile weather systems.   Wind speeds on Dujorn are extreme, with cyclonic storms and turbulent jet streams regularly reaching up to 1,500 kilometers per hour. These winds are a result of the rapid rotation of the atmosphere, which takes place much faster than the planet’s rotation. The winds stir up the gases and clouds within the atmosphere, creating violent weather systems, such as massive storm fronts and electrical discharges. These storms, often hundreds or even thousands of kilometers wide, can last for weeks or months, fueled by the constant exchange of heat between the interior and the outer layers. The upper layers of the atmosphere are dominated by methane clouds, and these clouds interact with solar radiation and heat from below, leading to methane rains in some areas. These rains tend to be short-lived and localized but can occur on a large scale, especially near the equator, where the storms are most intense.   The planet's weather is also affected by its magnetic field, which generates intense auroras and can disrupt atmospheric conditions. Solar wind interactions with Dujorn’s magnetosphere occasionally cause spikes in temperature at certain latitudes, which can lead to temporary atmospheric instability and lightning storms. These electromagnetic interactions also produce beautiful, but dangerous, electrical discharges that light up the atmosphere, creating a flickering, almost surreal ambiance during stormy conditions.   The poles of Dujorn experience more extreme weather patterns than the equatorial regions. At higher latitudes, the temperature is colder, and the atmospheric density increases due to the planet’s gravitational forces, causing more frequent and intense electrical storms. The polar regions tend to have less stable weather, with winds creating chaotic vortexes that distort cloud patterns and result in rapid shifts between calm periods and intense storm surges. These regions are also more affected by the planet's seasonal shifts, as its elliptical orbit brings it closer to Xeviron at certain times of the year, leading to temporary warming and more chaotic storms near the poles.

Dujorn’s orbit around Xeviron is highly elliptical, which means the distance between the gas giant and its star fluctuates significantly over the course of its 593-day orbital period. At its closest approach, Dujorn is situated at about 4.5 AU (Astronomical Units) from Xeviron, while at its farthest point, it stretches out to nearly 6.5 AU. This varying distance results in significant changes in the amount of solar energy the planet receives, although these fluctuations are less pronounced than on terrestrial planets due to Dujorn’s thick, insulating atmosphere. The planet’s elliptical orbit causes its seasonal changes to be less predictable, with minor shifts in temperature patterns at the poles, but given Dujorn’s extreme cold of -186.92°C, these changes are more atmospheric in nature than surface-level.   Dujorn’s axial tilt is only around 2.1 degrees, which means that seasonal shifts are almost imperceptible compared to other planets with more significant tilts. The small tilt keeps the planet's poles in a near-constant state of extreme cold and darkness, while the equatorial and mid-latitude regions experience the most noticeable variations in atmospheric dynamics. Despite the minimal axial tilt, Dujorn's extreme weather is largely driven by its rapid, turbulent atmosphere rather than seasonal cycles, with intense storms and cyclones forming based on atmospheric pressure differences created by the orbital eccentricity.   In terms of rotation, Dujorn has an incredibly slow day cycle. One full rotation, or day, on Dujorn lasts approximately 2,897 Earth hours, or about 121 Earth days. This sluggish rotation has a profound effect on the planet’s weather systems. The prolonged day allows for atmospheric temperatures to build up over time, with heat rising from the core and affecting wind patterns. As a result, the gas giant experiences extremely high-speed winds and frequent storm activity, driven by the immense heat transfer between the planet’s core and its upper atmosphere. These winds, often exceeding 1,500 km/h, can maintain consistent speeds throughout a full rotation, creating a uniform, persistent force that shapes the planet’s cloud bands and storms.   Because of its slow rotation, Dujorn’s day-night cycle does not lead to the traditional temperature swings experienced on more rapidly rotating planets. Instead, the impact of the planet’s atmospheric circulation dominates. The planet’s weather systems are much more influenced by its position in orbit relative to Xeviron and its internal heat than by day-night cycles. The slow rotation also contributes to the existence of persistent storms and atmospheric vortices, which can last for weeks or even months, unaffected by the passing of time or the rotation of the planet itself.   Thus, Dujorn’s combination of a highly elliptical orbit, minimal axial tilt, and a slow rotational period results in a uniquely dynamic, turbulent atmosphere where seasonal variation is subtle, and the weather patterns are shaped primarily by internal and external gravitational forces rather than by the conventional expectations of day and night.

Dujorn is orbited by 89 moons, each varying in size, composition, and orbital characteristics. These moons are primarily made of rock and ice, with a few larger bodies containing trace amounts of metallic ores. The majority of these moons are irregularly shaped, as they have not undergone the process of planetary differentiation. They vary in size, with the smallest being mere kilometers across, while the largest, Xelros, spans roughly 1,500 kilometers in diameter. Most of the moons orbit in highly elliptical, inclined orbits, causing them to experience intense tidal forces as they travel through Dujorn’s powerful gravitational field.   The largest moon, Xelros, is particularly interesting due to its significant size and its interaction with the planet’s atmosphere. It has a dense ice-and-rock composition and a thin atmosphere of nitrogen and methane, which leads to the occasional eruption of icy plumes from its surface. These plumes, along with the moon's gravitational influence, cause slight tidal bulges in Dujorn’s atmosphere, creating periodic disturbances and triggering storm formation. The gravitational interactions between Xelros and Dujorn also create a subtle but noticeable effect on the planet's rotation, resulting in minute variations in the timing and intensity of the gas giant's internal weather systems. Many of Dujorn’s moons are tidally locked to the planet, meaning one side always faces Dujorn, while the other is perpetually in darkness. These moons, particularly the smaller and more distant ones, often experience extreme temperature differences, with one hemisphere baking under the harsh glare of Dujorn’s distant sun, while the other remains frigid and frozen. The outermost moons, located in highly elliptical orbits, have elongated shapes and may be in the process of being torn apart by tidal forces. Evidence of past disruptions can be found in the form of fragmented debris, with some moons surrounded by faint rings of shattered rock and ice particles.   Some of the moons display fascinating geological activity. For example, Druva, a mid-sized moon, features several active geysers that erupt volatile mixtures of water, ammonia, and methane, which freeze into icy geyser plumes as they escape into space. These eruptions likely result from the tidal heating produced by Dujorn’s strong gravitational influence. In contrast, moons such as Nyroth are completely frozen, their surfaces encrusted with layers of solid methane, and appear to be largely inactive, possibly due to the lack of internal heat or geological forces to drive any major activity. Despite the large number of moons, Dujorn’s moons are not clustered in the traditional sense of a classical moon system. Instead, they are spread over a vast region, with many smaller, irregular moons orbiting in the outer reaches of the planet’s gravitational influence. These moons are constantly subject to gravitational perturbations, and some have even been captured by Dujorn after being dislodged from other parts of the Xeviron system. Occasionally, asteroids or comets are drawn into Dujorn’s orbit, becoming temporary moons before being either ejected into space or colliding with the gas giant.

Dujorn’s planetary rings are a stunning, yet transient feature that encircle the gas giant, composed primarily of icy particles, rocky debris, and fragments of shattered moons. The rings stretch across a vast expanse, reaching thousands of kilometers in width, but they are faint, visible only from certain angles or close orbital positions. The primary composition of the rings consists of water ice and frozen methane, with a mix of rocky debris likely originating from moons that were torn apart by the intense tidal forces of Dujorn’s gravity. Over time, gravitational interactions and orbital resonances have caused these particles to accumulate into distinct ring segments, creating a complex and dynamic system.   The rings of Dujorn are divided into several major bands, with each band containing particles of varying sizes, from micrometer-sized dust grains to larger boulders that can span several meters across. The inner rings, closer to the planet, are composed mostly of rockier material, with metallic fragments likely derived from asteroid impacts, lending them a faint reddish hue. As one moves outward, the rings become predominantly icy, with particles that shimmer in the sunlight. These outer rings are notably more stable and uniform in composition, providing a sharp contrast against the dark blue atmosphere of Dujorn. Because of Dujorn’s strong magnetic field, the rings experience periodic interactions with charged particles from the solar wind, which can induce electrical discharges. These discharges occasionally light up the rings with a faint, aurora-like glow, adding a temporary, ethereal effect to the already mesmerizing structure. The presence of small moonlets within the rings, remnants of past collisions or fragments from disintegrated moons, further disrupts the smooth distribution of particles. These moonlets often create gaps in the rings or cause the material to clump together in localized regions, forming dense ringlets or creating temporary ring arcs.   The rings are not a permanent feature of Dujorn’s system, as the continuous bombardment of meteoroid impacts, the gravitational influence of the moons, and the planet’s dynamic atmosphere are slowly eroding the rings. Some of the smaller particles in the rings spiral inward due to the planet’s gravity, while larger particles are sometimes flung outward into deeper orbits. Over geological timescales, the rings will likely dissipate, their material either falling into Dujorn's atmosphere or scattering into space, leaving behind only faint remnants. Despite their inevitable erosion, the rings are an integral part of Dujorn's beauty, offering an extraordinary view of the planet’s ever-changing and tumultuous environment.