Universal Time (UT) is the standardised timekeeping system adopted galaxy-wide, primarily used for ensuring consistency across various planets, space stations, and spacecraft within the World Unity. This system revolves around the meticulously terraformed planet Hora, located in the Sundom of Eris. Hora serves as the sentinel for this universal timekeeping method due to its unique rotational properties, which have been artificially established to facilitate the UT system.
The fulcrum of Universal Time is Hora's distinctive rotational period. Terraforming efforts have precisely calibrated Hora's rotation to sustain a day cycle of exactly 100 seconds per minute, 100 minutes per hour, and 10 hours per day. This adjustment was made to simplify the conversion of time and ensure uniformity in timekeeping across varying celestial entities. The UT system eliminates the complications associated with time zones, daylight saving time, and other planetary time variations.
Hora, a once barren moon, has been transformed into a verdant oasis, acting not only as the anchor for Universal Time but also as a testament to advanced terraforming technologies. Despite its pivotal role in galactic society, Hora remains uninhabited, a deliberate choice to preserve its delicate ecosystem from external disturbances. The only permanent residents are the Hora Park Rangers, tasked with the critical mission of ensuring the planet remains free from visitors and interference. Their role is crucial in maintaining the integrity of Hora's environment and, by extension, the reliability of the Universal Time system.
While UT has been embraced as the universal standard for interstellar administration, commerce, and navigation, it allows for the coexistence of local timekeeping systems on individual planets. Most entities within the World Unity acknowledge Universal Time for any operation or communication that transcends planetary boundaries. This widespread acceptance facilitates a cohesive temporal framework essential for interplanetary interactions, schedules, and operations.
Universal Time is more than a mere method of timekeeping; it represents a significant leap towards galactic unity and operational synergy. By aligning under a single time system, different worlds and their inhabitants can efficiently coordinate efforts, whether for trade, exploration, or governance. The UT system simplifies the logistical complications inherent in interstellar activities, enabling a seamless flow of information, goods, and services across disparate celestial territories.
The Universal Time system employs a straightforward yet comprehensive structure for denoting time, defined by year, day, hour, and minute without the intercalation of months. Instead, the year is divided into quarters, each consisting of 100 days, often referred to colloquially as 'seasons'. These seasons are differentiated by unique, alternative names that resonate with the galactic communities' diverse cultural and environmental experiences. An illustrative example of the current Universal Time is 44-3813.44.
Year (44-): The first part of the Universal Time notation is the year, in this case, '44'. This indicates the 44th year since the establishment of Universal Time as the at the first Universe Fair on 00-0000.00.
Day (381): Following the year is the day of the year, which in the example is '381'. The day advances from 001 to 400, encompassing the complete cycle of a year in Hora. Each 'day' is a discrete unit within the year, eliminating the need for months.
Hour and Minute (3.44): After the day, the hour and minute are denoted in a combined format. Here, '3.44' represents the 3rd hour and 44th minute of the day. Hours are counted from 0 to 9, and minutes from 00 to 99 within each hour, reflecting Hora's 10-hour day cycle.
Despite its widespread use, the Universal Time system is not without its detractors. Critics often highlight the psychological and cultural adjustments required to adapt to a 10-hour day, particularly for species and communities with deep-rooted circadian rhythms tied to longer or shorter planetary days. Additionally, there is ongoing debate regarding the sustainability of keeping Hora uninhabited and strictly policed, with some advocating for a more integrative approach that allows for controlled habitation and research.