Aurilian

Aurilian is a fictional planet featured in the novel "Project Hail Mary" by Andy Weir. It is the home world of the Astrophage, a microscopic alien organism that consumes starlight and converts it into energy. Aurilian is depicted as a gas giant with a thick atmosphere, orbiting a star named Tau Ceti. The planet's environment is described as extremely harsh, with high atmospheric pressure and intense radiation, making it uninhabitable for complex life as we know it.

The Astrophage originated on Aurilian and evolved to survive in its extreme conditions. Their existence on Aurilian is crucial to the plot of "Project Hail Mary," as the Astrophage's ability to consume starlight has led to a dimming of Earth's sun, threatening humanity's survival. The protagonist, Ryland Grace, travels to the Tau Ceti system to find a solution to the Astrophage infestation.

Aurilian's environment plays a significant role in the Astrophage's life cycle and reproductive capabilities. The planet's conditions are thought to have driven the evolution of the Astrophage's unique energy-harvesting abilities. The exploration of Aurilian and its moon, Erid, is a key element of the scientific challenges faced by Grace and his alien companion, Rocky, in their mission to save Earth. The Astrophage's origin on this distant gas giant serves as the scientific foundation for the novel's central conflict and its ultimate resolution.