3.9 Terran Explorations: Alpha Centauri VII
A planetary profile of Alpha Centauri VII (Toliman), the Preserver seed world settled by transplanted 3rd-century BCE Greeks, covering its trinary star system, parallel human civilization, neighbouring colonies, and physical specifications.
Alpha Centauri VII (Toliman) is a paradox. By all the laws of planetary formation it should not exist where it is and in the form by which we know it. The fact that it does as a lifebearing, Terran-like planet is part of its unique heritage as a Preserver seed world.
Alpha Centauri is a trinary star system located approximately 4.3 light-years from Terra. The first two stars, Alpha Centauri A and B, are a binary yellow pair. The third, Proxima Centauri, is a distant red dwarf. The astronomical relationship of these three stars would normally preclude all but rocky and barren worlds forming within a very narrow ecliptic band no greater than 2 AU. The first hint that the system might be inhabited was when radio signals were detected by the approaching starliner Enterprise in 2043. When the Terran spaceship Icarus arrived in the system in 2048 it found the seventh planet of the system to be almost identical to Terra, complete with oceans and Terran forms of life. This also included an indigenous human population, who as it turned out were not as startled to meet their brothers from the stars as were the crew of the Icarus.
Centaurean legends speak of their origins on Earth. They are by all accounts descended from a 3rd century BCE Athenean Greek colony who were transported to their new home by the Preservers. When they arrived they found the planet already terraformed into an Earthlike world. After that the development of human civilization on Alpha Centauri VII roughly paralleled that of Terra. Centaureans and Terrans are both human for all intents and purposes identical as a species and are classified as such. Art is their main export. Their holographic works are particularly prized throughout the Federation. Many Centaureans are involved in the rapidly growing 3D holography industry, where their expertise and artistry are prized. Centaureans are also famed for their mind-altering drugs, said to be among the most potent in the known universe.
Alpha Centauri IV (Velestus) is the site of a failed early Centaurian space colony. Its people have reverted to a primitive culture that currently enjoys Prime Directive protection. Alpha Centauri V (Akarpos) is also inhabited. The origins of its human culture are unknown. It is less developed due to its harsh conditions and its people tend to shun outsiders.
Visitors to Alpha Centauri VII will want to take heed of one of the traditional custom of its people. Members of both sexes go topless during the planet’s summer seasons. This has been known to cause problems with visitors from more prudish cultures or species.
Specifications
- System star: Alpha Centauri B (Al Rijil Kentarus Beta)
- Distance from system star: 140 million km
- Period of revolution (Terran measure): 27.3 hours
- Period of orbit (Terran measure): 342 days
- Mass: 6.75 x1024 kg
- Diameter: 13,065 km
- Axial inclination: 12.5º
- Average surface temperature: 24º C
- Satellites: none
- Planetary Richter Scale rating: M
- Level of technology: current
- Indigenous culture(s): human (homo terran)
- Additional culture(s): none
Major surface features: The Eternal Ocean; The Mountains of Olympus; The Hellas Basin; The Redlands. Places of note: The city of Athens; The Centaurean Acropolis; The University of Alpha Centauri; The Zefram Cochrane Memorial Museum.