K2-800

Overview

K2-800 is an uninhabited world within the borders of the Emissariate of Bolusca, 560 parsecs coreward of Bolusca. K2-800 orbits a K2 primary that has an unusually high rate of coronal mass ejection (CME). K2-800 orbits close enough to the primary that it is regularly subject to envelopment by projections of stellar plasma. In other systems where this is observed, the world is a lifeless rock, however K2-800 has an exceptionally strong magnetic field that protects its atmosphere and ecosphere by diverting the CME plasma around the planet.

The electromagnetic environment around K2-800 causes severe degradation of communications, sensors, and similar functions. The outer system is unaffected, however, and so the system is often used as a waypoint or rendezvous for vessels travelling between Bolusca and the frontier.

Planetary Characteristics

K2-800 is a class D world, considered unsuitable for Boluscan life although it possesses a dense oxygen/nitrogen atmosphere and gravity close to Boluscan standards. The median surface temperature is 305K, peaking at 330K, making the surface barely tolerable for unshielded Boluscans.

K2-800 has no sizeable body of water, though atmospheric water is present and rain can fall in certain conditions, leading to transitory floods.

The native plant life consists of small, hardy, water-conserving species. There is abundant insect life, and in some regions small lizards have evolved.

History

K2-800 was surveyed in an early wave of Boluscan exploration and found to be unsuitable for colonization. There have been intermittent attempts to set up mining operations on the planet, but all have failed as the hostile conditions make any such venture unprofitable compared with the ease of exploiting other worlds, and K2-800 has no especially rare mineral resources.