Amaterasu, initially known as HD219134, is an 11-billion-year-old K-Type star about 21 light years from Earth, visible as part of the constellation of Cassiopeia. Home to six planets, the system was fairly innocuous among the many settled over the centuries, especially given that its worlds were harsh and thus mainly industrial outposts.
Then ships in orbit began picking up strange radio clicks. These were traced back to the star and, unlike other astronomical radio sources, these varied in timing, frequency and direction. Initially thought to be reflections or some internal oddities with the star, many began beaming radio signals to the star to test the theory. They came back and the reflection theory was thought to be confirmed.
Then star began sending more of the same signals back, sometimes repeating them days or weeks later, and always directed at passing ships. In many cases, these weren’t white noise, but radio signals similar to the music stations on the planetary outposts.
This was too deliberate to be a natural phenomenon, and through more experiments, the most inexplicable solution was proven true: the star itself is a living entity. It can respond, reflect and broadcast purposeful signals, though mostly in the form of music it’s heard.
Classified as a plasma entity or living star, Amaterasu has no obvious biological traits and its true intelligence has yet to be determined, but the entity does show both a degree of consciousness and awareness of its surroundings. Radio signals are produced within the star and can send directed messages, often very accurate replications of ones it’s heard before.
The theory behind this is that, if other living stars exist, this may be their means of communicating. Amaterasu has shown an awareness of passing ships and will broadcast music to them. In turn, many have grown very fond of the living star and play music in return, with many referring to Amaterasu as female and caring for it.
Because of all this, the system has not had a Dyson swarm nor any starlifting technologies applied for fear of hurting Amaterasu. Instead, the colonists have made do with other power sources and often provide the star with more hydrogen fuel, even though, as an Orange Dwarf, she should have a lifespan of around 40 billion years.
All of this has combined to make the Amaterasu system among one of the most famous in Heaven’s Arm, home to a star that sings for any passersby. Research is ongoing to find other living stars, though so far, only Amaterasu has been confirmed.
