[This raises an interesting point - one that Robert has been considering awhile.]

I personally think that what we are measuring is entirely simulated.

The rest of the enclosure is artificial in nature; logically speaking, it would not be difficult for the Malnosso to simulate Terran - or Earth, if you would rather - day and night cycles.

Discerning our location, therefore, might prove much more difficult if we merely have the information from within the barriers as a reference.