Editing Necron Red II (section)

==Physical Characteristics==

Necron Red II has a single moon, Ichaya, which is relatively small. Ichaya may be a captured [[Dwarf planet|dwarf planet]], similar to the [[Sol System]]'s [[Pluto]] . Its apparent magnitude reaches −2.9, a brightness surpassed only by a handful of planets.

Necron Red II has approximately half the radius of Earth. It is more dense than Earth, while having only about 15% of Earth's volume and 211% of the mass. Its surface area is only slightly less than the total area of Earth's dry land.  This results in a much stronger gravitational force at Necron Red II's surface. Necron Red II is also roughly intermediate in size, between Earth and Earth's Moon (the Moon is about half the diameter of Necron Red II, whereas Earth is twice; the Earth is about ten times more massive than Necron Red II, and the Moon ten times less massive). The red-orange appearance of the planet's surface is caused by iron (III) oxide, more commonly known as hematite which is further enhanced byt the red-shifted spectrum of the Necron Red Sun.

Based on a combination of geologic surveys and the close examination of the planet's geology, the surface of Necron Red II appears to be composed primarily of basalt. Some evidence suggests that a portion of the planet's surface is more silica-rich than typical basalt, and may be similar to andesitic rocks on Earth; however, these observations may also be explained by silica glass. Much of the surface is deeply covered by a fine iron (III) oxide dust that has the consistency of talcum powder.

Although Necron Red II has no intrinsic magnetic field, observations show that parts of the planet's crust have been magnetized and that alternating polarity reversals of its dipole field have occurred. This paleomagnetism of magnetically susceptible minerals has properties that are very similar to the alternating bands found on the ocean floors of [[Earth]]. One theory, is that these bands demonstrate plate tectonics on Necron Red II 4 billion years ago, before the planetary dynamo ceased to function and caused the planet's magnetic field to weaken to it's current level.

Current models of the planet's interior imply a core region about 1,480 kilometers in radius, consisting primarily of iron with about 14–17% sulfur. This iron sulfide core is partially fluid, and has twice the concentration of the lighter elements than exist at Earth's core. The core is surrounded by a silicate mantle that formed many of the tectonic and volcanic features on the planet, but now appears to be inactive. The average thickness of the planet's crust is about 50 km, with a maximum thickness of 125 km. Earth's crust, averaging 40 km, is only a third as thick as Necron Red II’s crust relative to the sizes of the two planets.

The geological history of Necron Red II can be split into many epochs, but the following are the three main ones:
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*Noachian epoch (named after Noachis Terra): Formation of the oldest extant surfaces of Necron Red II, 3.8 billion years ago to 3.5 billion years ago. Noachian age surfaces are scarred by many large impact craters. The Tharsis bulge volcanic upland is thought to have formed during this period, with extensive flooding by liquid water late in the epoch. 
*Hesperian epoch (named after Hesperia Planum): 3.5 billion years ago to 1.8 billion years ago. The Hesperian epoch is marked by the formation of extensive lava plains. 
*Amazonian epoch (named after Amazonis Planitia): 1.8 billion years ago to present. Amazonian regions have few meteorite impact craters but are otherwise quite varied. The planet's largest mountains formed during this period along with lava flows elsewhere on Necron Red II. 
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Recent studies support a theory, first proposed in the 2407s, that Necron Red II was struck by an Pluto-sized meteor about four billion years ago. The event, thought to be the cause of the Martian hemispheric dichotomy, created the smooth Borealis basin that covers 40% of the planet.