Changes

The Astronomican was originally constructed in [[M30]] in preparation for the [[Great Crusade]]. The [[Emperor]] brought in large numbers of [[Tech-Priest]]s and drafted much of [[Terra]]'s population for the gargantuan task of constructing the [[Chamber of the Astronomican]] at the [[Forbidden Fortress]]. At the time of its construction, the Astronomican was the single largest structure on Terra, though this would later be surpassed by the [[Imperial Palace]]. In the days of the Great Crusade, the Astronomican was powered by the Emperor's own psychic might directly. Without the beacon of the Astronomican to guide their ships through the Warp, Imperial armies would not have been to have waged the Great Crusade.{{Fn|4}}

After the Heresy, the Emperor became interred within the [[Golden Throne]] and required increasing numbers of [[Psyker]] sacrifices to maintain the Astronomican. Today, the Astronomican is powered by ten thousand{{Fn|1}} [[psyker]]s trained by the [[Adeptus Astronomica]]. The omnipotent will of the Emperor constantly directs this energy across around fifty thousand light years of the galaxy. Although the Emperor does not provide the energy of the beacon, only he has the psychic power to handle such immense energy and direct it across the galaxy. The psykers who power the Astronomican are recruited into the organisation through the [[Adeptus Astra Telepathica]]. They are initiated into the Adeptus Astronomica as Acolytes, and taught how to use their powers, philosophy, the meaning of their lives, and the Lore of the Astronomican. Some achieve a mystic state, gaining the status of Chosen. It is these Chosen who are eventually called to serve in the Chamber of the Astronomican. Here they fuel the Astronomican beacon with their psychic energies; as their powers are drained the Chosen slowly fade and die. Up to one hundred Psykers die each day powering the Astronomnican.{{Fn|1}}