[ WP ] Earth did get tidally locked with the Moon and it 's only viewable from either North or South America . When Europeans first come to the new world they also tell tales of a new object in the sky . ( x-post from /r/space )

Seven ships had sailed west into the setting sun, but only one returned, limping into harbour at Severnmouth like a craven dog beaten for abandoning its hunt. 
 
 Fine men had crewed that ship, once. Men I had sailed with and drank with but who now swung from their gibbets on Clifton hill, their eyes pointed toward the docks, and their failure, even as they died. All save one, the leader of the mutineers, who was sprawled before me now in the gaol; eyes bright with challenge, or perhaps madness. 
 
 `` Just kill me!'' he hissed, scrabbling around on the cold stones, his chains clinking with every shaking movement. `` What's keeping you,'Reaper'?'' He spat as he enunciated the nickname, aiming for my thickset boots, but missing. 
 
 I longed to take him up this suggestion, but I had a task to carry out first. `` Six other ships went west. Their crews are still out there, along with those you marooned. I want to know what befell them, and you, regrettably, are the only soul from those voyages left to hand.'' 
 
 The man laughed, though the noise soon turned to a series of hacking coughs. `` You expect me to help you?'' 
 
 `` You will, one way or another.'' I said, pulling up a wooden stool and sitting over him. `` I will shed no tears over shattering a few of your bones, if that's what it takes.'' 
 
 To his credit, the man did n't blanch, his face only hardening. `` Mickey'n the rest spoke truth already. Noose was the only reward they got.'' 
 
 `` A mutineer can hardly expect less,'' I said harshly. `` Think of this as a chance at redemption. Perhaps our Lord will judge you more favourably when you walk the long night, should you make amends for your sin.'' 
 
 He crossed himself, an awkward gesture from his huddled position in the cell's corner. `` Noctis may take me,'' he agreed, `` but lyin' is a sin in God's eyes, as sure as murder.'' He looked at me, his eyes intense in the feeble light. `` The real sinners were the cap'n, and his mates. Turned from God's grace, for love of the Nightsun and the devil men. We acted only as God fearin' men ought, turnin''em ashore and fleeing for home.'' 
 
 I was on him in a flash, my hand gripping the soft flesh of his throat and squeezing until the man's eyes bulged. He pawed at my arm, seeking to relieve the grip, but his efforts might as well have been those of a child. 
 
 `` If you blacken the name of Captain Drake again in my hearing, I will cause you such pain that you will believe that you have indeed died, and Lucifer himself is visiting the pain!'' I released him roughly, and turned away as he spluttered and hacked and held his throat. 
 
 `` And I will hear no more of this'Nightsun' blasphemy either,'' I added, stepping into the door. `` We will soon find out the truth; a new voyage sails for the west within the month, and you shall be on it.'' 
 
 I looked back into the cell one last time, and frowned. For our entire conversation the man had been defiant, accepting even of a death he felt was imminent. 
 
 But at the news he'd be going back west, he looked terrified.
