One key aspect of a gaming universe, which separates it from others, is the terminology used to describe its various locations and objects. The 2300 AD universe is no exception, and it deserves better defined terms to help it maintain its own special identity. The terms described in this article are those commonly used by Americans, Texans, Canadians and Australians. Naturally, other languages will maintain their own terminology. Even among those nations listed above, there will be a variety of regional terms.
While the terms described are specifically for the four nations listed above, it may be generally assumed that they also apply to all of the english speaking people of the Pacific ( Nauru, New Zeland, and the Philippines) as well as the remaining nations of the Australian continent ( Papua and Tasmania), Britain, Ireland, and the english speaking people of the African and Indian continents will have their own set of common terms that probably differ from those given here.
Earth/Terra: "Earth" is the proper name for the human homeworld as used by the natives of the planet as well as by those living among the colonies and bases within the solar system. "Terra", the Latin name for Earth, has been adopted by the majority of non-english speaking nations. It is also used commonly by Britain and Ireland. Among the colonies of America, Australia, Canada and Texas, the term "Earth" is also used. However, on colony worlds where core world influence is relatively low, second and later generations of colonists gradually begin to refer to the human homeworld as Terra. Additionally, on the independent colony of Tanstaafl, which sits in the midst of European influence, the term "Terra" is increasingly used, though there is an active attempt to slow this trend.
Moon/Luna: As with the term "Earth", "Moon" is used to describe Earth's largest natural satellite. This can prove to be confusing as the term also describes any planet's natural satellite. For this reason, the term is generally used only by those living within the Earth/Moon system. Others, when referring specifically to Earth's moon, will use the name "Luna". Even so, for clarity, the names of specific locations on the moon are used whenever possible.
Sun/Sol: While "Sol" is the proper term for the star in mankind's home system, it is commonly referred to as the "Sun" by the inhabitants of the system. Those who travel extensively from one star to another will refer to the sun by its proper name. "Sun" is a relative term used in reference to any star system's primary.
Colony: The term "Colony" describes a human settlement usually established by a nation, though sometimes by a major organization. Though no longer under control of specific nations, independent settlements retain their "Colony" label. Such settlements are still thought of as colonies of earth. This is slowly changing for some independent colonies on Tirane, but not without some resistance from citizens of earth. Freihaven, for example, possesses several political groups attempting to promote their colony as Tirane's first nation.
Territory: Planetary regions which have been claimed by a nation as extensions of itself are officially termed "Territories". For America in particular, such regions are administered by a governor or other administrator whose area of responsibility includes any colonies or outposts located within this region. Law enforcement is usually scarce and in the form of federal marshals. The inhabitants of these territories have limited political representation until the territory, like Ellis, achieves statehood. Other nations treat territories in varying manners with some directly annexing the colony and giving it the some political status as any other region within its earthbound borders.
Spaceport: Unlike with the background of some science fiction games, the term "starport" is not used -- at least not by the nations listed in this article. Any facility, usually planetside, which is used for the servicing of space craft and the handling of transfer of personnel, and cargo, is termed a "spaceport". Such facilities range from a single paved landing pad, common on small, airless bodies, to a large-scale development complete with multiple runways, launch pads, catapult, fueling facilities, loading docks, and maintanence centers. Ship handling facilities in planetary orbit are referred to as Orbit Terminals.
Coreward: The layout of human expansionin colonial space lends itself to radial thinking in terms of directions.- a kind of return to geocentricism. At the center of colonial space is the Sol system. Together with Alpha Centauri, these systems form "The Core". In colonial space, the direction toward these core systems is termed "Coreward".
Universal Time/Date: Because all planets have differing lengths of years and days, a standard time measurement is used. "Universal Time" is based upon what was once referred to as Greenwich ( pronounced like Gren-itch) Mean-Time ( GMT). Universal time is always in 24 hour format ( e.g. 9:00pm is 2100 hours). and date is in day-month-year format with the month being a three-letter abbreviation and the year being a full four-digit number ( e.g. February 21, 2302 is written 21 Feb 2302).
A.U.: The Astronomical unit, or A.U. is the standard unit of measurement of interplanetary distances used by all nations and colonies. One A.U. is equal to 149.6 million kilometers ( 93 million miles) -- the average distance between the earth and the sun.
Lightyears/Parsecs: the lightyear is the standard unit of measurement of interstellar distances used by most nations including America, Texas, Australia and Canada. For a percentage of other nations, the Parsec is the most common unit. One lightyear is 62,240 A.U.s or 9.46 trillion kilometers. One Parsec is 3.26 lightyears.