centuryalong

Centuryalong is a fictional concept introduced in the science fiction novel "The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet" by Becky Chambers. It refers to a unit of time equal to 100 years, as opposed to the standard century, which is 100 years. The term was coined by the protagonist, Shevek, to emphasize the vastness of time scales in the context of interstellar travel and the long-term consequences of human actions.

In the novel, Shevek uses the term centuryalong to describe the immense duration of the journey to the planet Angaza, which is part of the Angaza system. The journey takes approximately 100 years at a constant velocity of 0.999c, where c is the speed of light. This highlights the profound impact of time dilation, a relativistic effect predicted by Albert Einstein's theory of relativity, which causes time to pass more slowly for the travelers compared to observers on Earth.

The concept of centuryalong serves as a metaphor for the long-term perspective required to understand and address the challenges of interstellar colonization and the potential consequences of human expansion beyond Earth. It underscores the need for patience, foresight, and careful planning in the pursuit of long-term goals in space exploration.