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Planetary Classification: Difference between revisions
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Corrected typo: Class M planet with more water would be Class O, not Class N (as is referenced in Class O entry)
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{{ | {{Academy-Science}} | ||
Natural characteristics of planets, such as age, mass and distance from their sun, place them in 20 naturally bounded classes which have been assigned an arbitrary alphabetic designation. | |||
''Location'' refers to the planet's relative distance from its primary star (Hot zone is closest, then Ecosphere, then Cold Zone). Depending on the star's magnitude and amount of energy it radiates, the distances of each zone from the star will vary. | |||
A planet's mass determines its internal heat generation and - in combination with its zone - its ability to hold an atmosphere. Some planets pass through distinct stages as they form and age, which may put them in separate classes. | |||
''Evolution'' refers to the geological evolutionary process of the planetary body itself. It does not refer to life-form evolution. | |||
== Class A == | == Class A == | ||
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== Class H == | == Class H == | ||
[[Image:Classg.jpg| | [[Image:Classg.jpg|right]] | ||
Class H planets are typically about the mass of Earth and are in their sun's hot zone. Their gravity allows them to retain an atmosphere of heavy gases and metal vapors, but due to strong solar radiation, their surfaces are very hot. | Class H planets are typically about the mass of Earth and are in their sun's hot zone. Their gravity allows them to retain an atmosphere of heavy gases and metal vapors, but due to strong solar radiation, their surfaces are very hot. | ||
*'''Type:''' Desert | *'''Type:''' Desert | ||
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*'''Evolution:''' n.a. | *'''Evolution:''' n.a. | ||
*'''Life-Forms:''' Unknown | *'''Life-Forms:''' Unknown | ||
*'''Examples:''' Q'tahL | *'''Examples:''' Q'tahL, Jupiter | ||
== Class J == | == Class J == | ||
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*'''Evolution:''' n.a. | *'''Evolution:''' n.a. | ||
*'''Life-Forms:''' Hydrocarbon-based (Jovian) | *'''Life-Forms:''' Hydrocarbon-based (Jovian) | ||
*'''Examples:''' | *'''Examples:''' Saturn | ||
== Class K == | == Class K == | ||
[[Image:Classk.jpg| | [[Image:Classk.jpg|right]] | ||
Class K planets are small, typically 1 to 1/10 the mass of Earth, and are in their sun's habitable zone. Due to weak gravity, their atmospheres are tenuous, but water is usually present. | Class K planets are small, typically 1 to 1/10 the mass of Earth, and are in their sun's habitable zone. Due to weak gravity, their atmospheres are tenuous, but water is usually present. | ||
*'''Type:''' Adaptable | *'''Type:''' Adaptable | ||
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== Class L == | == Class L == | ||
[[Image:Classq.jpg|right]] | [[Image:Classq.jpg|right]] | ||
Class | Class L planets are small, typically 1 to 1/10 the mass of Earth, and are in their sun's habitable zone. Their atmospheres are closer to breathable, and water is usually present if hard to find. | ||
*'''Type:''' Marginal | *'''Type:''' Marginal | ||
*'''Age:''' 4 - 10 billion years | *'''Age:''' 4 - 10 billion years | ||
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== Class M == | == Class M == | ||
[[Image:Classm.jpg|right]] | [[Image:Classm.jpg|right]] | ||
Class M planets are typically about the mass of Earth and are in their sun's habitable zone. Their atmospheres contain significant oxygen, liquid water is a significant surface feature, and lifeforms are generally abundant. With more water they would be class | Class M planets are typically about the mass of Earth and are in their sun's habitable zone. Their atmospheres contain significant oxygen, liquid water is a significant surface feature, and lifeforms are generally abundant. With more water they would be class O. | ||
*'''Type:''' Terrestrial (Minshara Class) | *'''Type:''' Terrestrial (Minshara Class) | ||
*'''Age:''' 3 - 10 billion years | *'''Age:''' 3 - 10 billion years | ||
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*'''Evolution:''' n.a. | *'''Evolution:''' n.a. | ||
*'''Life-Forms:''' Aquatic vegetation, animal life, humanoids | *'''Life-Forms:''' Aquatic vegetation, animal life, humanoids | ||
*'''Examples:''' Argo | *'''Examples:''' Argo, Alpha Centauri IV | ||
== Class P == | == Class P == | ||
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*'''Diameter:''' 10,000 - 50,000 km | *'''Diameter:''' 10,000 - 50,000 km | ||
*'''Location:''' Hot Zone / Ecosphere / Cold Zone | *'''Location:''' Hot Zone / Ecosphere / Cold Zone | ||
*'''Surface:''' Temperature can exceed | *'''Surface:''' Temperature can exceed 500ºK | ||
*'''Atmosphere:''' Turbulent, saturated with toxic chemicals and thermionic radiation | *'''Atmosphere:''' Turbulent, saturated with toxic chemicals and thermionic radiation | ||
*'''Evolution:''' n.a. | *'''Evolution:''' n.a. | ||
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'''NOTE:''' ''All information above is taken from Geoffrey Mandel's "Star Trek Star Charts: The Complete Atlas of Star Trek" available from Pocket Books.'' | '''NOTE:''' ''All information above is taken from Geoffrey Mandel's "Star Trek Star Charts: The Complete Atlas of Star Trek" available from Pocket Books.'' | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Stellar Cartography]] | ||