Turn was the Pernese term corresponding to the Terran year. Pern made a single revolution around its sun Rukbat in approximately 362 Pernese days. Every sixth Turn was a "leap Turn", and one extra day was added to the Turn.
Background and History[]
Late in the First Interval, some of the younger people started using the term "Turn". Turns were grouped into Passes and Intervals, based upon the Red Star's orbit, with Passes being 50 turns long, and Intervals being 200 turns long. During the Ninth Pass, when AIVAS was rediscovered, AIVAS quickly adapted to calling years "Turns". After AIVAS analyzed historical and scientific records, a number of turns were added to the calendar, to correct inaccuracies in dating from the Red Star's eccentric orbit. The new system was referred to as the Aivas Adjusted Turn.
Turnover was a major celebration on Pern that occurred at the start of a new turn.
Appearances[]
The use of the term "Turn" in reference to a year appears in all Pern books except Dragonsdawn.