View source for Lalande 21185

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{{Starbox
|name=Lalande 21185
|image=
|image_size=
|caption=
|constellation=Ursa Major
|right ascension=11h 03m 20.194s
|declination=+35h 58m 11.55s
|spectral type=	M2 V
|distance=8.32 ly
|planets='''Gatewood''' (Lalande 21185 I)
|other designations=Gatewood's Star, LAL 21185, BD+36 2147, G 119-052, Gliese 411, HD 95735, HIP 54035, LFT 756, LHS 37, LTT 12960, MCC 594, PLX 2576, SAO 62377, NLTT 26105, IRAS 11005+3615
}}
'''Lalande 21185''' is a a red dwarf star in the constellation of Ursa Major.

Vernor Vinge Fen refer to this star as "Gatewood's Star", after the reference in his novel [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marooned_in_Realtime ''Marooned in Realtime''].

== Gatewood ==

Planet Lalande 21185 I, usually called '''Gatewood''', was first explored in 2015. Its near-Earth-normal surface gravity and (barely) breathable atmosphere, both of which were completely unexpected by the exploration team, caused it to quickly become a popular destination for tourists. The few colonists who have settled the Lalande 21185 system have decided to keep Gatewood as a nature preserve for the foreseeable future, keeping urban centers and local industries in orbit where they will not pollute the planet.

[[image:Gatewood-Foliage.jpg|thumb|left|alt=One of the redweed forests in the semi-tropical band of Gatewood's dayside.|One of the redweed forests in the semi-tropical band of Gatewood's dayside.]]

The plants that evolved under Lalande's light absorb more infrared radiation than visual. The red color comes from anthocyanin compounds that help protect the plants from the increased amount of ultraviolet light that comes from constant exposure to a mildly variable red dwarf star.

The '''Lombardi River''', so named for is gently sweeping curves and flower-filled vistas, is one of the more scenic sights to be had on Gatewood. A popular pastime among the tourists (especially the romantically-involved ones) is to take a ride down the river on the gondola of an [[Gondolier|Undine]]. The stretch pictured here, often called '''St. Valentine's Bend''', is one of the most popular excursion sites.


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