Janus Bodies

Janus bodies, aka Janus gates, Janus portals, Janus doorways, are naturally occurring bodies in space that are at times planet-sized, moon-sized or asteroid-sized, but always spherical or ovoid, that connect 2 distant star systems by folding and joining via higher spatial dimensions (hyperspace). Janus bodies are so named after the ancient god of doorways or archways, Janus, who was described to have 2 faces.

### Physical Characteristics

They are spherical or ovoid, and when conjunct have 2 distinct hemispheres. One hemisphere resides in the 3D space of its origin star system, while the other hemisphere resides in the 3D space of its destination star system.

### Method of Travel

Objects traverse vast interstellar distances by landing on one hemisphere of the Janus body and then traveling by land across the equator to the other hemisphere and then leaving its atmosphere to the intended distant destination star system.

### The Conjunction

The conjunction, in the context of Janus bodies, refers to the phenomenon when two Janus bodies from two distant star systems fold into half in hyperspace and conjoin their hemispheres at their respective equatorial lines. When an observer has landed or within the atmosphere of a Janus body and is near the equator when it is conjunct, they can see two distinct skies and constellations - one of the origin and one of the destination.

### Location in a Star System

Janus bodies are scattered irregularly in many star systems but most are within the outer orbits of a star, or even considered exoplanets. Some that are the size of moons or asteroids orbit a planet. A rare few Janus bodies are life-sustaining planets so the population of both planets freely travel between the worlds as if they are neighbouring continents side by side each other whenever they are conjunct - the most notable one being Nasundara, home of Adi, the bringer of the Great Revelation of Hadi.

### Timings of Conjunctions

Conjunctions happen to Janus bodies following specific astronomical timings. Like how the exact times of sunrises and sunsets progress throughout a year, so do Janus conjunctions. Some happen on specific hours once or twice every day, some happen every other week, some happen every month, a rare few happen only once every several years.

### The Janus Network

The Leg citizens of cosmic civilisation specialise in observing and logging the orbital patterns of Janus bodies to create a map of the cosmic hyper-highway. They also observe and log (into their encrypted FitraVerse data banks) which Janus bodies connect which star systems, and also the timings in which they connect to different star systems.

A Janus body can connect anywhere from 2 to 256 star systems, hence according those star systems with a Janus body that can connect to more star systems the status of a nexus system, or an 'interchange' of stars.

Janus bodies are heavily guarded militarily while also being camouflaged in space from possibly prying eyes of alien civilisations.

The space routes from life-bearing planets in a star system to its corresponding Janus body are also heavily guarded and camouflaged with space debris, dust, fog, asteroid belts, or military escorts.

Some Janus bodies are partially terraformed to allow travellers to comfortably stay while waiting for the right timing for their desired Janus-connected star system to 'arrive'.