Alaldid

Alaldid is a fictional celestial body featured in the worldbuilding of the science fiction novel "Children of Time" by Adrian Tchaikovsky. It is not a real astronomical object but rather a concept within the narrative. In the story, Alaldid is depicted as a dying star, a red giant, located in a distant part of the galaxy. Its eventual demise is a significant event that impacts the evolutionary trajectory of the human species and the uplifted spider civilization. The novel explores how different groups of humans and spiders react to and prepare for the long-term consequences of Alaldid's stellar evolution, including its potential to engulf nearby planets. The concept of Alaldid serves as a cosmic clock and a catalyst for the plot, driving the characters to make critical decisions about their future and their place in the universe. The astronomical processes associated with a red giant, such as increased radiation and eventual expansion, are described within the context of the novel's scientific speculation. Alaldid's fate is inextricably linked to the survival and development of the novel's protagonists.