So, where's the Sun on the Moon?

[kaynide]

Not really a spoiler unless it is explained in side quests (if so just say that), but from the moon, there is clearly light and shadows...but no sun to be seen in the sky. What's up?

[RyuDragnier]

I was actually wondering that myself.

[Kirika-]

If it is modeled per our real Earth, Moon, and Sun, then due to the lack of an atmosphere on the Moon, the "sky" would always be dark and would be like night time on Earth in general appearance even at "high noon". The Sun would appear as a "larger" star in the night sky, bright enough to "light up" the surface and cast shadows, but it's apparent size would be smaller than say a full Moon as seen from Earth.
Remember, the only reason we see a "bright blue sky" on Earth is due to our atmosphere refracting and being illuminated by the Sun light and without it we would see what the astronauts see outside of our atmosphere, a field of darkness with small light points from stars/galaxies.

I don't think the game explained fully why we can walk the surface of the Moon in game and not suffocate (and irradiate), but lets chalk it up to magic

To add, in real life due to the rotational speed of the Moon, a full day/night cycle last about 4 weeks, so the changes through out the "day" and "night" are very small compared to a typical 24 hour day/night cycle on Earth

This website shows a video of what it is like from the Moon surface having a sunrise:
https://earthsky.org/space/how-often...from-the-moon/

[symbiote129]

I have crazy theory in regards to this. The moon actually gives off its own light instead of only reflecting the sunlight. Just giving this out because I read somewhere that the devs put some of the theories in regards to the moon into reality when it comes to the world of FFXIV like the moon is hollow, has a moon base or perhaps even a giant artificial satellite i.e. crafted by intelligent design.

[kaynide]

Today I learned

My main question was just where physically is the sun- I was expecting one of the various stars to appear larger..but as seen on your link it’s actually not that much bigger than other stars.

So which of those little balls is our sun I wonder. Maybe someone out there is comparing skyboxes….

[Nekaru_Infitima]

Better question, where is the sun and moon on Elpis? Moon probably didn't exist yet because [readacted].

But I see no sun either, it's just lightsource from nowhere.

[Theozilla]

Interesting I also expected that the sun would look significantly bigger than other stars in the sky, but I guess we just need think it is because it’s the only one we see in the sky during the day on Earth. Still I don’t think the game’s moon sky box even included a slightly bigger star that should represent the sun.

Also the the habitability of the moon was explained in game, IIRC that Hydaelyn and the Loporrits’ magicks made a large section of the Moon have a breathable atmosphere and warm temperatures (I think they even pointed to wind and fire aspected crystals as being part of that process) and higher gravity. So presumably if you traveled far enough away from Mare Lamentorum the moon would become inhabitable. Though the habitable zone does seem to extend even past the traversable in-game zone, considering how large the Moon’s engines likely are, and that Zenos and Fandaniel despite being teleported relatively far from their intended destination, still ended up in a habitable portion of the Moon.

[Kirika-]

Better question, where is the sun and moon on Elpis? Moon probably didn't exist yet because [readacted].

But I see no sun either, it's just lightsource from nowhere.

The reason you only see light sources are:

Elpis is "inside" of a containment area of Amaurot, as a place to isolate all the experimental concepts (critters) being created.
Within are further internal containment areas; The Gates of Pandaemonium (where the really bad critters were kept) and Ktisis Hyperboreia (where critters that are undergoing final evaluation are processed)
Think of it like a really "big" TARDIS

My Bad.... I had mixed up some other lore

The Sun and Moon are visible in Elpis

[Theozilla]

The reason you only see light sources are:

Elpis is "inside" of a containment area of Amaurot, as a place to isolate all the experimental concepts (critters) being created.
Within are further internal containment areas; The Gates of Pandaemonium (where the really bad critters were kept) and Ktisis Hyperboreia (where critters that are undergoing final evaluation are processed)

Where/when was that stated? I’m pretty sure the game said that Elpis is physically located in the skies above Amaurot. Especially since the Meteia were able to leave/depart the planet’s atmosphere to outer space from Elpis. That’s pretty damming evidence that Elpis isn’t “inside” Amaurot.

Also even parts of the Ktisis Hyperboreia have to be located “outside” the building, as Meteion herself was also to escape into outer space from the third level of the dungeon.

[Nekaru_Infitima]

Okay, nvm. So there is a sun in Elpis. But there is no moon at night and neither does it get very dark at night.