- For other uses, see Mu.
Murinite (symbol Mu) is a chemical element, atomic number 123 on the periodic table.
Characteristics and history[]
Murinite, in its most stable form, has an atomic mass of 320, and was discovered by the Federation for the first time through contact with the civilization on Rigel IV. This metal is part of the trans-uranic series of heavy elements. (ST reference: Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual)
The Hill People of the Argus River region on Rigel IV used murinite to make the handles of the knives which they used. In 2267, one such knife was used to perform several murders on Argelius II. (TOS episode: "Wolf in the Fold")
Murinite could also be carved to create signs. Telsk, a receptionist at the Bureau of Interplanetary Affairs in 2293, had a nameplate carved out of a block of murinite. (TOS - Crucible novel: The Fire and the Rose)
Appendices[]
Background[]
In real-life science, element 123 has yet to be discovered. A placeholder name based on its number, "unbitrium", has been suggested to document the possible existence of this substance. Murinite, in this case, Unbitrium, is estimated to locate in the transactinide element along with Unbibium and Unbiunium. Its electron arrangement is [Og] 8s2 5g3, and has the longest half-life among those elements that has an atomic number more than 118. Some models of theoretical science have stated that heavy elements on this scale may be impossible to synthesize or reproduce, and cannot exist in nature. Subspace science mentioned in Star Trek may account for the contradiction of this being a resource on other worlds.
References[]
- TOS episode: "Wolf in the Fold"
- ST reference: Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual
- TOS - Crucible novel: The Fire and the Rose
External link[]
- Murinite article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.