Pandora (Avatar)

The planet is named after the first woman in Greek mythology. In fact, Pandora is one of the moons of Saturn.

Plagiarism charges

One of the planets in the novels of the Strugatsky brothers , devoted to the world of Noon and written mainly in the 1960s , also bears the name " Pandora ". After the release of the film, rumors appeared that Boris Strugatsky declared that James Cameron borrowed the image of the planet from the famous cycle of novels of the Strugatsky brothers “World of Noon”: the planet Pandora covered with dense forests with a dangerous flora and fauna, as well as an aboriginal tribe, which are in close contact with the biosphere of the planet, as well as the planet of Leonid, where the aborigines are in complete symbiosis with nature, in particular, they use birds for flight. ^{[2] [3]} . After the scandal flared up, Boris Natanovich categorically refuted these rumors ^[4] . However, in January 2010, the organization Communists of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region posted on its website a statement demanding the arrest of James Cameron for "plundering Soviet fiction." According to the organization’s secretary, “the star-striped scum raised a hand on the creative legacy of the late Russian writers, in particular Arkady Strugatsky , taking advantage of the fact that the departed authors cannot write a statement to the prosecutor’s office.” However, Boris Strugatsky stated that he did not intend to make any claims to the filmmakers ^[5] .

Pandora Description Avatar: A 224-page book written in the form of a guide to the Pandora fictional sites, published by Harper Entertaiment on November 24, 2009. The book was presented as a compilation of all data collected by people about Pandora and life on it, and was written by Maria Wilhelm and Dirk Mathison ^[6] . In Russia, it was published by the ABC Classics under the name Avatar. Illustrated Guide ”translated by Olga Ratnikova ^[7] . The HarperFestival has also released a 48-page photo album, James Cameron's Avatar: The Movie Scrapbook ^[8] . On November 30, 2009, Abrams Books published The Art of Avatar: James Cameron's Epic Adventure by Lisa Flitzpatrick. The book contains many drawings created by concept artists for the film, including sketches and sketches. The book is notable for the fact that John Landau wrote the introduction to it, Cameron the epilogue, and Peter Jackson the preface ^[9] . Also in October 2010, Abrams Books released The Making of Avatar's 272-page book, which describes in detail the process of film production and contains about five hundred color photographs and illustrations ^[10] .

Planet

Alpha Centauri is a multiple (triple) star system , the brightest star in the constellation Centauri when viewed from Earth. Alpha Centauri A (Alpha Centauri A or ACA) is the largest of three stars orbiting around a common center of mass. It is about 20% more than our sun. In the universe, Avatar is known because it is the sun of Pandora - the home of the only intelligent race found to date. Alpha Centauri In B is about 15% smaller than our Sun. Alpha Centauri C , very remote from the other two stars of the system, is a red dwarf . More startling discovery than the planet Polyphemus, were discoveries associated with its moons. On the 5th and 6th moons of Polyphemus, in addition to the ocean, nitrogen and oxygen were found. This type of atmosphere can only be produced by carbon forms of life. Although reserves of surface water were found on other satellites of Polyphemus, their small atmosphere consisted mainly of nitrogen and carbon dioxide, which is a sign of the lifelessness of the planet.

Pandora is a satellite of Polyphemus, but it is more like the Earth than the Moon . Similar size, composition of the atmosphere, appearance, even the continents and islands are surrounded by seas of the same blue color. Clouds from cirrus white to dark thunderstorm clouds. On the surface of the planet there are mountains, valleys, ravines, lakes and rivers. Vegetation is widespread - most of the land is covered with forests, and in the oceans entire islands of algae float. Huge herds of herbivores migrate across the prairies, and huge winged creatures soar in the sky.

However, Pandora is not the Earth, its heavenly appearance is deceptive. The nitrogen - oxygen atmosphere has a high density, and the high content of carbon dioxide in it (about 19%) quickly leads to loss of consciousness (after 20 seconds) and death (after 4 minutes) if a person decides to give up his breathing apparatus. In addition, the atmosphere contains another poisonous gas - hydrogen sulfide , constantly emitted by the numerous active volcanoes of Pandora.

Plants in most cases contain substances that make them unsuitable for human consumption. Poisonous spines and fruits exploding or splashing caustic juice are common.

Animals are also dangerous to humans. Armored hammer can not be stopped even with a large-caliber machine gun. Winged banshees swoop down from the sky to grab an unsuspecting victim. Small animals and insects are armed with extremely strong poison. Most of the inhabitants of the planet can stand up for themselves, and that is what formed the character of the Na'vi .

On dark nights (which are relatively rare here), living beings phosphoresce with all shades of a rainbow — radiant fantasmagoria can hypnotize one who is not used to it. On a spiritual level, unprecedented harmony permeates all life on Pandora. Those people who are able to accept it will experience peace and tranquility, previously unknown to them.

Physical characteristics

Pandora's diameter is about 0.9 Earth's diameter (11,448 km). Its mass is 72% of the earth's, and gravity on the surface is 20% lower. The unusually high concentration of carbon dioxide and xenon in the air makes it 20% denser than the Earth’s atmosphere. Pandora manages to keep such a dense atmosphere with a small mass because it rotates between two Polifem radiation belts , reflecting the bulk of the solar wind, which would otherwise blow off the atoms of the upper layers of the atmosphere.

Internal structure

In terms of its structure, Pandora resembles Earth: a core of liquid iron , a plastic mantle, and a predominantly hard crust . Like Earth, Pandora has two internal sources of heat: the decay of radioactive isotopes and the energy of gravitational contraction that once formed the planet. There is also an additional, much more powerful source of energy - tidal forces . The nearest internal and external satellites compete in gravitational effects with Polyphemus.

The excess energy leads to a more rapid drift of the continents, causing tectonic plates to collide and break more actively. This explains the absence of large continents on Pandora, as well as increased volcanic and geothermal activity.

Magnetic field

Pandora's core of liquid iron with currents circulating in it generates a magnetic field similar to that of the earth. This field protects the surface of the planet from cosmic rays and particles emitted by the stars of the Alpha Centauri system. The powerful magnetic fields associated with the deposits of anobtanium form local distortions.

In addition, Pandora’s magnetic field interacts with the much more powerful field of Polyphemus. This can lead to the sewage of radiation trapped in the giant's magnetic field to the surface of Pandora - also with unpleasant consequences. Sometimes the configuration of the fields leads to the formation of magnetic induction tubes connecting the poles of the planets. The current in them can reach millions of amperes, causing changes in the electrical charge of both celestial bodies, which is manifested in violent storms and other electromagnetic phenomena.

Surface

The ratio of land to water on Pandora is shifted relative to the earth in the direction of land, but because of its stronger fragmentation there is not a single continent that is close in size to the Earth. The influence of the oceans smoothes the temperature difference - there are no deserts on Pandora, and the polar ice caps are smaller than on Earth, and they float freely, as there is no solid support under them.

As already mentioned, Pandora has a high volcanic activity. Eruptions occur both on land and at the bottom of the oceans. Many mountains and surface formations are of volcanic origin. A huge number of hot springs and geysers are scattered around the planet, there are even rivers whose water boils in the sources. All this leads to a high concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the air, making it poisonous to an unprotected person.

The landscape is more active than on Earth, it is formed under the influence of the wind - the atmosphere on Pandora is denser, therefore the grains carried by the wind are larger, and the energy contained in them is greater. Open rocks age faster, forming a large amount of sediment carried by rivers.

Atmosphere

The high concentration of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere makes Pandora unsuitable for humans. However, these gases can be filtered using breathing devices, which allows people to move around the planet without heavy compressed air cylinders.

Increased (relative to the earth) by 20% air resistance leads to the following consequences:

• Smaller fall rate. In combination with low gravity (20% lower than Earth's), the speed of free fall is much lower than on Earth (in the earth’s atmosphere close to the surface, the maximum steady-state speed of falling without a parachute is about 180–200 km / h, and upside down to 300 km h) Na'vi , who fell from a roe, tree or rock, has a chance to survive and not even get serious injuries. Even falling into the water with spread limbs will be accompanied by a blow not strong enough to deprive the fallen consciousness. In addition, the process of falling can be controlled to some extent by bending the body to land in a safer place.
• Greater resistance to movement. People on Pandora feel this when they are trying to run away - as if the wind is blowing on them. This is aggravated by reduced gravity - the soles slide on the ground, not providing sufficient traction. Na'Vi compensate for this by bending their toes to more reliably push off the soft soil. Six-legged animals try to cling with their limbs to protruding stones and hollows.
• Flying animals are helped not only by low gravity, which makes them lighter, but also by increased air density, which provides greater resistance to the wings — each swing provides more lift. On the other hand, a dense atmosphere requires excellent aerodynamic qualities from their bodies, so that at least some high speed can be developed.
• Plants are forced to resist a stronger wind, since high air density means more kinetic energy contained in it. Leaves, branches and trunks of trees should be more durable or flexible, so as not to break.

Among the dangerous (poisonous) components of the atmosphere of Pandora are:

• Inert gas xenon (Xe) 5%, together with carbon dioxide increases the density of the atmosphere of Pandora by 20% relative to the Earth's. At a concentration of over 60%, xenon has an anesthetic effect on humans, but its quantity, which is contained in the atmosphere of Pandora, can not affect mental abilities. The high density of the atmosphere makes breathing difficult, especially on the exhale, increases the likelihood of hypothermia in cold weather and reduces the possible speed of running, makes the human voice lower.
• Carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) 19% (125 times more than on Earth). On Pandora, carbon dioxide emissions from underground pockets occur with increased seismic activity - as a result, the concentration of carbon dioxide in a particular area can very quickly increase several times.
• Hydrogen sulfide (H ₂ S), its content is variable in different regions of Pandora. Hydrogen sulfide is dangerous if its content in the air for a long time exceeds 0.03% (0.05% for a short time). Even a 0.001% concentration causes irritation of the respiratory tract and eyes.

The alternation of day and night

In the sky of Pandora there is another active light source - the star Alpha Centauri B (DIA). At the closest approach to Pandora, the DIA turns out to be 2300 times brighter than the full Moon; at maximum distance - 170 times brighter. Two sources of light lead to the fact that on Pandora there are two kinds of night - the night itself and twilight. At night, there is neither ACA nor DIA in the sky of Pandora; at dusk, Pandora lights up the DIA. The total duration of the night and twilight is half the Pandorian days, and they divide this time among themselves differently, depending on the angle between the directions on ACA and DIA: at an angle of 180 degrees, when Polyphemus (and Pandora) are between ACA and DIA twilight is almost equal to the day (that is, ACA and DIA alternately appear in the sky of Pandora), and at an angle tending to 0, when the DIA leaves for ACA, twilight will be short. There is also a position of Pandora, in which night and twilight are equal. In addition to the stars in the sky Pandora visible huge "moon" - Polyphemus, and several "moons" smaller - his satellites, which also bring additional lighting. Actually, a full dark night - without DIA, Polyphemus and its satellites - on Pandora is a rare phenomenon.

When ACB is encountered in the sky with ACA, the illumination increases by only 0.09—0.4% (depending on the distance between the ACA and ACB). The orange color of the DIA light in this case is hardly noticeable, but as the stars move away from each other, it becomes clearly visible in those areas that are hidden from the rays of the ACA. At the maximum distance, the DIA turns out to be 2700 times dimmer than the ACA and does not illuminate the planet so that it is noticeable. Nevertheless, it remains in the sky in the form of a dazzling bright orange disc of a small size. The third component of the Alpha Centauri system is the ACC ( Proxima Centauri ), a red dwarf that is not visible from Earth to the naked eye, from Pandora is seen as a dim star of the 5th magnitude . But our Sun will sparkle in the constellation Cassiopeia as one of the brightest stars of Pandorian sky.

Due to the strong tilt of the axis (29 °), on Pandora in the circumpolar regions the length of the day and night varies greatly depending on the season. In addition, the elliptical shape of the orbit of a polyphemus leads to fluctuations in temperature and illumination within 10%.

Realism

Despite the fact that the whole world of Pandora was created by artists and animators, scientists agree that, in reality, the heavenly bodies of the same group can serve as home for various life forms. Hundreds of planets, gas giants, have been discovered near stars in the Solar System. Some of these planets are comparable in size to Jupiter and are made of gas. Such objects are hardly suitable for life, because they consist mainly of hydrogen, but the attention of scientists is attracted by satellites of gas giants, whose conditions on the surface are more favorable for the development of living organisms.

With the help of the space telescope. James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) astronomers intend to study the composition of the atmosphere of a whole group of satellites gas giants. One of the primary goals at this stage of the search for extraterrestrial civilizations is the detection of gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapor on the surface of satellites.

It is important to note that the presence of the above gases in the atmosphere is not enough to ensure favorable conditions for life. Gravity , maximum and minimum temperature values ​​play a very important role here. According to some experts, the probability of finding life on satellites of giant planets is higher than on planets comparable in size to the Earth, or the so-called “ Super Earth ”.

After the film was released, there were cases when the newborn was given names from the film, in particular, Pandora ^[11]

On January 24, 2010, Jiankunzhu Mountain (which was allegedly used as a prototype for the Pandora landscape), located next to the Chinese city of Zhangjiajie , was officially renamed Gore-Hallelu-Iz-Avatar by local officials. The idea of ​​changing the name of the mountain was connected with the desire of local authorities to earn money on the success of the film: they expected that such a name would attract tourists to the region ^[12] . Residents of China, who saw these publications, accused the city administration of greed and worship of Western culture. In this regard, on January 28, the Zhangjiajie administration denied the information on renaming the mountain, explaining that by a misunderstanding: according to them, the main name - “Jiangkuzhu” - was left, and the name “Gora Halleluia-Iz-Avatar” was adopted only as an additional one ^{[13 ]} .

• On Polyphemus, even from Pandora, one can observe the Great Blue Spot, similar to the Big Red Spot on Jupiter . It is because of this spot that Polyphemus got its name (in honor of the most famous Cyclops ), because it resembles the eye.
• In 2012, a planet was discovered that revolves around Alpha Centauri B and received the designation Alpha Centauri B b . It weighs a little more than the Earth, makes a revolution around the star for 3,236 days, but it is too hot for life. Its position is comparable to Mercury, which was pushed ten times closer to the Sun. However, the following more accurate measurements did not confirm the existence of this planet. Nevertheless, the presence of other planets in this system is very possible. In 2016, an earth-like planet orbiting Alpha Centauri C (Proxima) and in the habitable zone was discovered; it is known as Proxima Centauri b ^[14] .

• Fictional universe in Avatar (Eng.)
• (55) Pandora
• Pandora (satellite)

• Stephen Baxter The Science of Avatar , 2012, ISBN 0297863436 , ISBN-13 9780297863434
• Maria Wilhelm, Dirk Matheson Avatar: The Field Guide to Pandora , 2009, ISBN 0007342446

• PandoraPedia
• Big dictionary-translator Na'Vi
• Site encyclopedia of the planet Pandora
• James Cameron - Avatar (Unsolved) . Archived April 13, 2012.
• Article "A little bit about Pandora" (Neopr.) . na-vi.ru. The date of circulation is November 8, 2009. Archived January 15, 2010.
• A little bit about Pandora (eng) on YouTube