Primary:
Binary
system. Duncan, spectral class K9V. ICN S4G0107K9V. Mass .505 standard. Stellar
diameter .552 standard. Luminosity .048 standard. Banquo, spectral class M3 D.
ICN S4G0107M3D. Mass 1.11 standard. Stellar diameter .006 standard. Luminosity
.00003 standard. Orbital radius 620 AU.
Planetary System:
Duncan,
two major bodies. One inhabited world (MacBeth, II). No gas giants. No planetoid
belts. Banquo, two major bodies. No inhabited worlds. Two gas giants in system.
Two planetoid belts in system.
II
MacBeth:
Mean
orbital radius, 47.87 million kilometers (.32 AU). Period 93.0 days. No
satellites. Diameter, 8350 kilometers. Density, .98 standard. Mass, 0.239
standard. Mean surface gravity, .61G. Rotation period: 4.2 hours, 17 minutes, 16
seconds. Axial inclination 19°15'20.8". Albedo, . 11. Surface atmospheric
pressure, 1.0 atm. Composition, oxygen-nitrogen mix with volcanic sulfur taint;
filter masks required to breathe atmosphere. Hydrographic percentage, 38%;
composition, water and frozen water-ice. Mean surface temperature, 10°C.
Remarks:
MacBeth
was originally settled for one purpose and one purpose only - industrial grade
diamonds, which occur in great quantities on the planet. The bulk of the gems
used in laser-optic computer systems manufactured in the Principality
of Caledon, are blue
diamonds from MacBeth.
MacBeth is a geologically active world, with tidal stresses contributing
enormously to seismic and volcanic activity across the surface of the planet.
Diamonds are generally associated with volcanic activity, and that is certainly
the case on this world.. Of course, not all of the planetary surface is
inhospitable, though volcanic outgassing has tainted the atmosphere with sulfur
and sulfur compounds, making filter masks essential when breathing the outside
air. But the colony, comprised of several cities, including Duncinae, Birnham
and Scone, is fairly secure from the worst seismic disturbances.
Diamond mines, however, are more risky propositions. Small camps are set up to
explore and exploit regions where diamonds might be found; the discovery of a
worthwhile producing site leads to a more permanent settlement. Often these
sites are in the shadow of an active volcano and, given the generally unstable
conditions of MacBeth, the work can be hazardous in the extreme.
MacBeth's diamond producing areas attract attention from outside the
Principality as well as from within. Miners from the Imperial megacorporation
Sternmetal Horizons, LIC, have obtained a license to explore and exploit sites
and ship the proceeds back to the Imperium. It is also reasonably certain that
ships from Germaine (Reavers' Deep 2019), a hostile world outside the Principality, pay occasional
clandestine visits to search for gems or to make contact with local miners
willing to deal with them. The naval base at MacBeth has hindered, but not
entirely eliminated, the success of such illegal ventures.