Lunévite

Lunévite is a fictional celestial body featured in the science fiction novel "The Martian" by Andy Weir. It is presented as a large, spherical moon orbiting the planet Mars. The novel does not provide extensive details about Lunévite's physical characteristics or geological composition, focusing instead on its role as a significant, albeit distant, celestial landmark for the stranded astronaut, Mark Watney. Watney, while attempting to survive on Mars, occasionally observes Lunévite in the Martian sky. Its presence serves as a reminder of the vastness of space and the isolation of his situation. Lunévite is not a scientifically recognized astronomical object but a narrative element created for the story's world-building. Its purpose in the novel is primarily atmospheric and symbolic, contributing to the sense of realism and the challenging environment faced by the protagonist. The name "Lunévite" itself evokes a connection to the moon ("Luna") and the planet Mars ("-évite" possibly a diminutive or suffix implying association). The moon's apparent size and position in the Martian sky are described in a manner consistent with a large natural satellite, though specific orbital mechanics are not elaborated upon.