Hora is a terraformed planet located within the Sundom of Eris, serving as both a nature preserve and the standard-bearer for galactic time measurement. Created by Yalgeth Labs in -12 as a response to historical environmental catastrophes, the planet exists as a technical demonstration of terraforming technology, as well as an "apology to nature". Its precisely engineered 10-hour day has become the foundation for Universal Time (UT).
Hora orbits HD 178355, a relatively young F9V star approximately 750 million years old. The star's mass of 1.15 solar masses and luminosity of 1.32 solar luminosities made it an ideal candidate for hosting a terraformed world, as its stable magnetic field and moderate UV output provide optimal conditions for maintaining engineered atmospheric compositions.
Hora completes one rotation every 10 standard hours, divided into 100-minute segments. This deliberately engineered rotation, achieved through careful mass distribution and gravitational calibration, was designed to provide a standardised temporal reference for galactic civilisation. The planet orbits a G2V star at 1.2 AU, with a year lasting exactly 400 local days.
The atmosphere has been precisely calibrated to maintain optimal conditions for a diverse range of transplanted flora and fauna, with oxygen levels maintained at 23.1% through automated regulatory systems.
Access to Hora is strictly controlled by the Hora Park Rangers, an elite force of environmental guardians operating from a network of 247 observation towers across the planet's surface. Rangers are authorised to use lethal force against unauthorised visitors to preserve the planet's pristine condition.
The only exception to the strict preservation policy is the biennial Universe Fair, during which carefully designated areas are temporarily opened for cultural exhibitions and scientific demonstrations.
Beyond its role as a temporal standard, Hora has become a powerful symbol of ecological redemption following the environmental disasters documented in the Martian Backup. The planet's successful terraforming is widely regarded as marking the beginning of the galaxy's golden age, with the Universe Fair in specific marking the beginning of the new Universal Era.