Terraforming: Difference between revisions
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! style="background:black" align="left" |<font color=goldenrod> <strong><small>{{quote|The principal habitability criteria for terraformed planets is a finished world which contains extended regions of liquid water, conditions favorable for the assembly of complex organic molecules, and energy sources to sustain metabolism.|Starfleet Sciences Division}}</small></strong></font> | |||
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[[Terraforming]] (literally, "Earth-forming") of a [[planet]], [[Luna|moon]], or other body is the hypothetical process of deliberately modifying its atmosphere, temperature, surface topography or ecology to be similar to those of [[Earth]] to make it habitable by terran organisms. | [[Terraforming]] (literally, "Earth-forming") of a [[planet]], [[Luna|moon]], or other body is the hypothetical process of deliberately modifying its atmosphere, temperature, surface topography or ecology to be similar to those of [[Earth]] to make it habitable by terran organisms. | ||
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Based on experiences with Earth, the environment of a planet can be altered deliberately: however the feasibility of creating an unconstrained planetary biosphere that mimics Earth on another planet has only just recently been verified. Mars is considered by many to be the most likely candidate for terraforming, although at present such an effort has yet to be undertaken. | Based on experiences with Earth, the environment of a planet can be altered deliberately: however the feasibility of creating an unconstrained planetary biosphere that mimics Earth on another planet has only just recently been verified. Mars is considered by many to be the most likely candidate for terraforming, although at present such an effort has yet to be undertaken. | ||
[[File:Terraforming Station.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A Federation Terraforming Station]] | |||
Amongst the scientific community unanswered questions related to the ethics, logistics, economics, politics, and methodology of altering the environment of an extraterrestrial world are debated. | Amongst the scientific community unanswered questions related to the ethics, logistics, economics, politics, and methodology of altering the environment of an extraterrestrial world are debated. | ||
An absolute requirement for life is an energy source, but the notion of planetary habitability implies that many other geophysical, geochemical, and astrophysical criteria must be met before the surface of an astronomical body is able to support life. Of particular interest is the set of factors that has sustained complex, multicellular animals in addition to simpler organisms on most [[Class M]] worlds. Research and theory in this regard is a component of planetary science and the emerging discipline of astrobiology. | An absolute requirement for life is an energy source, but the notion of planetary habitability implies that many other geophysical, geochemical, and astrophysical criteria must be met before the surface of an astronomical body is able to support life. Of particular interest is the set of factors that has sustained complex, multicellular animals in addition to simpler organisms on most [[Class M]] worlds. Research and theory in this regard is a component of planetary science and the emerging discipline of astrobiology. | ||
The [[United Federation of Planets]] developed a device known as the [[Genesis Device]] which used protomatter to reorganize matter into a ''life-giving matrix'' This device has since been deemed banned as a result of it's destructive potential and it's inherent instability. | The [[United Federation of Planets]] developed a device known as the [[Genesis Device]] which used protomatter to reorganize matter into a ''life-giving matrix'' This device has since been deemed banned as a result of it's destructive potential and it's inherent instability. | ||
Revision as of 19:47, 11 March 2011
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Terraforming (literally, "Earth-forming") of a planet, moon, or other body is the hypothetical process of deliberately modifying its atmosphere, temperature, surface topography or ecology to be similar to those of Earth to make it habitable by terran organisms.
The term is sometimes used more generally as a synonym for planetary engineering, although some consider this more general usage an error.
Based on experiences with Earth, the environment of a planet can be altered deliberately: however the feasibility of creating an unconstrained planetary biosphere that mimics Earth on another planet has only just recently been verified. Mars is considered by many to be the most likely candidate for terraforming, although at present such an effort has yet to be undertaken.
Amongst the scientific community unanswered questions related to the ethics, logistics, economics, politics, and methodology of altering the environment of an extraterrestrial world are debated.
An absolute requirement for life is an energy source, but the notion of planetary habitability implies that many other geophysical, geochemical, and astrophysical criteria must be met before the surface of an astronomical body is able to support life. Of particular interest is the set of factors that has sustained complex, multicellular animals in addition to simpler organisms on most Class M worlds. Research and theory in this regard is a component of planetary science and the emerging discipline of astrobiology.
The United Federation of Planets developed a device known as the Genesis Device which used protomatter to reorganize matter into a life-giving matrix This device has since been deemed banned as a result of it's destructive potential and it's inherent instability.
Only one other species have developed the Genesis device. The Myenru use the device to eradicate entire worlds that refuse to submit to their holy crusade. They call this process cleansing.
