[ICON] Planetary Class Question

[redwood973]

Class L: One of the large number of planets possessing oxygen-argon atmospheres. Often, as with Indri VIII, class L worlds show signs of ancient terraforming.

The class L worlds is one of the two planetary classificaitons in TNG:Core book which does not have an example planet from our system. Since we have seen a class D planet (ST:TWK) that classificaiton lacking an example does not matter.

So any theory as to what a class L world is like? Any examples on screen that we have seen?

Thanks.

[Alan Haber]

I doubt this will help you much but this was all I could find at this point.

Book 1: LUG STTNG RPG "A Cadet's Guide to Sector 001 Earth"; the planets of our solar system are: Pluto- class G, Neptune- class J, Uranus- class J, Saturn- class J, Jupiter- class J, Mars- class M, Earth- class M, Luna- class F, Venus- class K and Mercury- class F. Sorry, no class L's here.

Book 2: "Star Trek The Worlds of the Federation" by Shane Johnson; Class L, Surface: silicate/water, Atmosphere: oxidizing, Description: geologically inactive, Example: Psi 2000.

I don't think that there are any good examples of Class L planets, but if I find anything further I'll let you know.

[redwood973]

Thanks Alan. I wonder if this class is not just something they came up with for the shows without basing it on anything. The planetary classificaiton is real life science and the classifications for our systems planets is correct (except for Mars, which in real life is class H). Of the class types listed in the ICON Core Books only class D and L are not used in real life.

The atmosphere being listed as "oxidizing" is interesting. This class must have a higher than average oxygen content.

[Owen E Oulton]

Not really - Class M is also an oxidising atmosphere, having about 1/5 oxygen. If you don't think we have an oxidising atmosphere, check out the underside of your car... Basically a Class L is similar to a Class M, just tectonically dead. Needless to say, they likely do not have moons, since tidal stresses are one factor in tectonic activity.

[Tobian]

I seem to recall the planet that the '47's' existed on was a Class L planet - a little bit harsher than a Class M, and the other differences.

[Dan Gurden]

Originally posted by Tobian
I seem to recall the planet that the '47's' existed on was a Class L planet - a little bit harsher than a Class M, and the other differences.

I am equally sure that the planet that Quark and Odo crashed on in 'Ascent' was also Class L.

And the description matches, with an Earth Like planet but far less forgiving environmental conditions...

[Tobian]

Now that you mention it I think you could be right there. part of the problem with it is of course that l class planets seem to look just like M class planets on a bad day, because Vulcan is supposed to be M class!!!

[Sho-sa Kurita]

Originally posted by Tobian
Now that you mention it I think you could be right there. part of the problem with it is of course that l class planets seem to look just like M class planets on a bad day, because Vulcan is supposed to be M class!!!

Yeah, I'd much rather be on the 'Ascent' planet than Vulcan. Well, except for the lack of Vulcan love slaves.