Helenun

Helenun is a fictional planet featured in the science fiction novel "The Mote in God's Eye" by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle. It is the homeworld of the Moties, an alien species encountered by humanity. Helenun is a tidally locked planet orbiting a red dwarf star, resulting in extreme temperature differences between its permanent day and night sides. The habitable regions are located in a twilight zone between these extremes.

The Moties, native to Helenun, have evolved in a challenging environment characterized by resource scarcity and a constant struggle for survival. This has shaped their society and biology, leading to a complex caste system and a unique evolutionary path. Their planet is depicted as having a dense atmosphere and a varied landscape within the habitable zone, though much of the planet is uninhabitable due to the star's influence.

The discovery of Helenun and its inhabitants marks a significant moment in "The Mote in God's Eye," as it represents humanity's first contact with an advanced extraterrestrial civilization. The novel explores the potential implications of this encounter, including the technological, social, and political challenges that arise. Helenun serves as a crucial backdrop for the narrative, highlighting the environmental pressures that forged the Moties and their distinctive civilization.