Solar Sunday 12-31-17

Today's planet is Dantooine. Datooine can be found in the Raioballo sector of the Outer Rim at one of the end points on Myto's arrow. It is a planet covered in grasslands, rivers, and lakes. The planets main sentient species were humans and the native Dantari. The majority of the planets inhabitants are farmers by trade and occupy small villages throughout the several continents on the planets surface. While the planet lacks any tactical significance it was important to the Republic to secure control of it during the clone wars due to the pureness of the planet. Dantooine was seen as a sort of haven and piece of beauty that deserved to be preserved and protected due to its innocence and majesty. Dantooine was the site of a large battle during the clone wars where Jedi Master Mace Windu and a battalion of clone troopers defeated an army of super battle droids and a seismic tank. Mace Windu won fame for this victory due to the fact that he was without his lightsaber for most of the battle.

Dantooine

Dantooine farm

The Battle of Dantooine

Dantooine surface

Dantari

seismic tank at Battle of Dantooine

Mace Windu at the Battle of Dantooine (before losing lightsaber from first seismic tank strike)

Books to read: Events prior to the Phatom Menace

So I recently rewatched Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace and it got me thinking. As I saw the opening scene where Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi begin their negotiations with the Trade Federation I couldn't help but wonder what some of the missions the pair had been on prior to the Phantom Menace were like. So I did some digging and found the following list of books dealing with the endeavors and adventures of Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan before The Phantom Menace.

1. Legacy of the Jedi by David Burroughs Mattingly, Set during Qui-Gon Jinn's padawan years

2. Jedi Apprentice: The Rising Force by Dave Wolverton, Set 12 years prior to Phantom Menace

3. Secrets of the Jedi by David Burroughs Mattingly and Judy Blundell, Set 7 years prior to Phantom Menace

4. Cloak of Deception by James Luceno, Set 1 year prior to Phantom Menace

Solar Sunday 12-24-17

Today's planet is Eriadu. Eriadu is the home world of Grand Moff Tarkin. It was a planet in the Seswenna Sector of the Outer Rim. Eriadu was one of the Outer Rim's most active trade hubs. Its surface is covered mostly by large cities and industries. There is a orange haze of pollution that can be seen in Eriadu's atmosphere. A year before the events of the Phantom Menace Qui-Gon Jinn ad Obi-Wan Kenobi infiltrated a Trade Federation Conference on Eriadu and fought a terrorist organization called the Nebula Front who were secretly working under Darth Sidious. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were able to defend Chancellor Valorum but were unable to prevent the deaths of the rest of the Trade Federation Directorate. This unfortunate loss allowed the Neimoidians to seize control of the Trade Federation.

Chancellor Valorum

Neimoidian

Eriadu's surface

Eriadu

Solar Sunday 12-10-17

Today's planet is Hypori. Hypori is a planet located in the outer rim territories. The planet has a hydrothermal landscape and is mostly barren. The battle of Hypori occured during the clone wars on the planets surface. During the battle of Hypori Separatist General Grievous made his first appearance. Jedi master Ki-Adi-Mundi, Shaak Ti, Aayla Secura, and K'Kruhk barely escaped with their lives. Jedi Knights Sha'a Gi and Tarr Seirr were killed by Grievous. After the clone wars the planet was used by Commander Orson Krennics team of engineers to develop weapons for the Galactic Empire, including blueprints for the Death Star.

K'Kruhk

Tarr Seirr shortly before his demise

Sha'a Gi moments before his death 

General Grievous (revealing himself to the Jedi for the 1st time)

Ki-Adi-Mundi and Shaak Ti taking on Grievous

Ki- Adi- Mundi upon seeing Aayla Secura barely alive

Hypori landscape (aftermath of the Hypori slaughter)

Hypori

Solar Sunday 12-3-17

Today's planet is Yavin 4. Now I know this is a planet most Star Wars fans are familiar with but I want to talk about its intriguing history . Yavin 4 is a jungle planet riddled with the ruins of a lost civilization. You would recognize these ruins from A New Hope as the rebel base where they launched their strike against the first Death Star. The lost civilization in question is the Massassi. The Massassi were an ancient warrior civilization predating the Galactic civil war by 5,000 years. The Massassi were enslaved by the Sith and built great temples on the planets surface. It was on Yavin 4 that Anakin Skywalker dueled the Sith acolyte Asajj Ventress. Its where we see the first glimpse of his dark side. Its ironic that the rebels years later would set their base of operations in the birth place of their enemy.

Massassi warrior

Anakin after killing Asajj on Yavin 4

Rebels exploring Yavin 4's ruins

The great temple (rebel occupation)

Yavin 4