Alpha Centauri IV
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| PLANET | |
| Alpha Centauri IV | |
| |
| Classification: | Class M |
| Affiliation: | United Federation of Planets (founding member 2161) |
| Location: | Alpha Centauri system |
| Moon(s): | Two; Nykos and Tharon |
| Dominant Species: | Centaurian, Human |
| Warp Capable: | 21st century |
| Population: | 3 Billion |
| |
Alpha Centauri IV (commonly known as Velestus, Centaurus or Al Rijil IV) is the fourth planet in the Alpha Centauri star system, orbiting the primary binary pair of stars, Rigil Kentaurus and Quindar. This world is class M and is home to humanoid inhabitants, including a thriving Federation colony started by Human settlers and other Centauran cultures. (Reference book: The Worlds of the Federation; TOS novels: "Crisis on Centaurus", "Time for Yesterday")
Alpha Centauri IV's most distinguishing celestial feature is its series of rings. It has two small moons, Nykos and Tharon, which are home to mining colonies. The planet's atmosphere is an oxygen-nitrogen mix with pressure close to Earth normal. Seventy percent of the planet is covered with water. There are hundreds of small islands scattered across the surface. The average temperature is 26.6° C.
Widely varying solar radiation levels, tectonic stress and other problems beset the planet driving the Alpha Centaurans to develop terraforming technology early in their history. Their scientists believe that, over ten million years ago, a third moon orbiting the planet was ripped apart by tidal forces as it descended too close to the planet, producing a rare ring system around the inner planet.
The population of Alpha Centauri IV in the early 2360s was around 3 billion people, plus a small human and Vulcan population. Many of the humans living on Alpha Centauri are descended from the first immigrants from Earth, dating all the way back to the 21st century. The capital city is Tarola'n, with features the famous Monument of Visions Art Museum.
Alpha Centauri is a major exporter of art and is a popular tourist destination. Their holographic art is highly collectable. Alpha Centauran artists are sought out to design specialized holodeck programs.
Two native species have become well known to Federation visitors. The kerra'vein are canine-like animals similar to huskies and the lala'vel, a small winged creature that closely resembles the Terran bat. (Last Unicorn Games RPG sourcebook: Planets of the UFP)
- Recent novels state that Alpha Centauri was uninhabited by a native species, and that it was primarily a human colony. Most current Star Trek novels use this premise. Star Trek: Star Charts reveals that the human colony of Alpha Centauri was a founding member of the Federation in 2161.
[edit] Mirror Universe
In the Mirror Universe, Alpha Centauri is a gigantic waste facility for the Terran Empire; a dumping ground for radioactive waste and toxic chemical by-products. Conquered in 2074, both Humans and Vulcans worked together to strip the planet of anything of value. Exported items include almost the entire population who continue to make up the largest pool of slaves in the empire's auction houses. The few hundred thousand Centaurans remaining on the planet are scavengers who roam about the ruined landscape. When an object of value is found, Centaurans will fight for the honor of bringing it to the attention of few remaining colonial administrators. Worse still, many of the free Centaurans on the surface are suffering from severe psychoses brought on by exposer to the many pollutants on the planet's surface. Some of the locals are even mutating and are often brought to the a attention of personnel at the Terran research base. (RPG reference: Through a Glass, Darkly)
[edit] Additional images
