Cosmology

The Cosmology of Tolkien's Legendarium summarizes the names, origin, and development of natural sites, world, heavenly places, stars, and constellations of J.R.R. Tolkien's imaginative Universe. After the first, primary name, alternate names follow, and those in parentheses indicate their real-world names. A question mark with the real name means that the association is either debated or uncertain.

• Timeless Halls (Heaven) - The Timeless Halls is the residence of Eru Iluvatar (God) and likened to Heaven as known in the real world. The Timeless Halls is outside the scope of time and the Universe and is essentially a spiritual realm, not in a physical dimension. It is uncertain if Men's souls will end up in the Timeless Halls, although some writings in the legendarium imply this. In Adanel's story, it mentions that the spirits of Men will return to Iluvatar. Christopher Tolkien also attempted to include this tale in the Silmarillion's appendices, yet the narrative is not a confirmed part of the canon.
• The Void, or Avakúma, Kúma, the Everlasting Dark, the Eldest Dark, and the Outer Dark - the Void is an intangible, empty expanse of space mentioned as prevailing beyond the confines of Ea, Arda, and the Timeless Halls. The Void beyond Arda and Ea may be separate, although this is uncertain. The Void removes the power of any being within its boundaries. The Valar cast out Melkor upon the Void, yet a prophecy foretells that he would escape its bounds and come back in Dagor Bragollach, at the end of all things.
• Eä (the Universe) - Eä is of Quenya speech meaning to be, the word that Iluvatar had spoken to shape the Universe into existence. And so it is used as the name of the Universe in Tolkien's Legendarium. The Ainur developed it through the transformation of Iluvatar's vision. Moreover, Eä is The World That Is, and separate from The World That Is Not. For this reason, it implies that all things beyond the boundaries of Ea are non-physical, just as Iluvatar's Timeless Halls. When the Ainur lived in the Timeless Halls during the creation themes, they referred to Eä as the Little Kingdom. It meant that everything in Eä, all life and things in existence, were only specks inside the thought of Eru Iluvatar.
  • Arda, also Ilu (World) - Arda is the world or Earth in Tolkien's Legendarium containing all within it and the firmament surrounding it.
    • Vaiya, also the Enfolding Ocean, Ekkaia, and the Encircling Sea (Outer space) - Vaiya is a black ocean covering Arda before the major events at the Second Age's conclusion. Vaiya encircles Arda's surrounding boundaries, establishing air over it and a sea under it. It details that Arda hangs on Vaiya, as likened to a ship on the sea. The Valar of Water, Ulmo, resides in Vaiya under the base of Arda. It detailed that Vaiya is immensely cold. An ice canyon called Helcaraxe lies where Vaiya's waters reach northwestern Middle-earth's waters or the sea of Belegaer. Also, the only vessels that can sail on Vaiya were the ships of Ulmo. The Numenoreans who once attempted to voyage through it sank, and its seafarers perished in the waters. When Iluvatar transformed Arda into a sphere, Vaiya then vanished. Still, it may have turned into the topmost layer of Arda's sky.
    • Vista, also Air (Atmosphere) - Vista is the life-enabling air of respiration
      • Fanyamar, also Cloudhome - Fanyamar is the outermost air in which the clouds float.
      • Aiwenórë, also Bird-land - Aiwenórë is the innermost air in which the birds take flight.
    • Ambar, also Imbar (Earth) - Ambar is the physical terrain of Arda. Its continents include Middle-earth.
    • Ëar, (Oceans) - Ëar is Arda's central body of water or the seas of Arda
  • Ilmen (Solar System) - Ilmen is the vast air filled with light before the major events at the Second Age's conclusion. Ilmen is where the heavenly bodies and stars reside. Its name has a similarity with the Finnish word Ilma which Tolkien may have used to influence the term. The Moon also travels through Ilmen on its route encircling Arda and entering Ilme's chasm on its return course.
    • Alcarinque, also Silindo and Morwen (Jupiter?)
    • Anarrima
    • Anor, also Ur (the Sun)
    • Borgil (Aldebaran?)
    • Carnil (Mars?)
    • Earendil’s Star, also Oresetel, Gil-Estel, Gil-Amdir, Gil-Oresetel, and Gil-Orrain (Venus)
    • Eksiqilta, also Ekta (Orion's Belt)
    • Elemmírë (Mercury?)
    • Ithil, also Silmo(the Moon)
    • Luinil, (Uranus?)
    • Lumbar, (Saturn?)
    • Menelvagor, also Menelmacar, Telumehtar, Swordsman of the Sky, Daimord, Mordo, Taimavar, Telimbektar, Taimondo, Telimektar, (Orion) - Menelvagor is the constellation honoring Turin Turambar and his prophesied revival in the Last Battle, in which he will slay Melkor. Menelmacar replaced Telumehtar as its primary name, although Telumehtar also remained in use after. Then, Menelmacar developed into the Sindarin name Menelvagor, then considered its primary name.
    • Morwinyon (Arcturus)
    • Nenar (Neptune?)
    • Remmirath, also Sithaloth and Itselokte (Pleiades)
    • Soronume
    • Telumendil
    • Til
    • Valacirca, also Durin's Crown, the Plough, Sickle of the Valar, Silver Sickle, Seven Stars, Burning Briar, Edegil, Otselen, Seven Butterflies, and Timbridhil (the Big Dipper or Ursa Major) - The Valacirca is a particular constellation referenced in Tolkien's writings signifying several symbols and igniting many inspirations. It is one of the only two constellations mentioned in Tolkien's stories, in which Menelvagor is the other one. It's a significant group of seven stars placed by the Valar in the North Sky as a lasting sign against Melkor and his servants. The constellation also signified the coming of the Elves. In the Silmarillion, it is a signal of Melkor's end and the Elves' beacon of hope. Additionally, the Dwarves of Durin's Folk used it as their emblem as displayed in Moria's front gates. The constellation also motivated Beren on his song of resistance.
    • Wilwarin (Cassiopeia?)