Captain's Log, Stardate 62535.937 (Tue, 04 Dec 2384 10:26 am)

Posted on Sat Aug 17, 2013 @ 5:24pm by Fleet Captain Rhea Kennit

675 words; about a 3 minute read

"Captain's Log, stardate 62535.937. It's been not quite two weeks now since the Victory crossed the border into the Khrelan Expanse. Since that time, we've been collecting a great deal of data as the ship progresses deeper into unexplored territory. A great deal of data about just how much nothing there is out here so far.."

Kennit paused a moment for a sip of her coffee, then continued. "Oh there are a great many stars but so far, we have not identified any which are host to star systems containing worlds which could support life. Most of the planets identified thus far are either frozen lumps of methane ice or rock, with little to no atmosphere or else they are massive gas giant worlds which might be of interest to mining operations looking to harvest certain elements from their upper atmospheres but nothing at all of any real note. We're starting to detect an unusually high concentration of nebulae as well, absolutely massive clouds of gas, dust and ice which stretch on past our sensor's abilities to register. Even long range sensor probes fired out towards the nebulea have been unable to determine the other sides.. We're picking up incredible levels of radiation consistant with the formation of stars and I've ordered our course changed to move a little closer to allow us to get better readings on the closest of the nebula to our current location. The latest readings from the long range sensor probe sent ahead of us is interesting, there are some indications that we may have discovered the first star system which hosts a habitable world that is in the right location in it's system to possess an atmosphere capable of sustaining life. We won't know more until we're closer and able to get a good look, but this system appears to be ancient, it's sun appears to be in the early stages of burning the last of the hydrogen in its core. Sensor readings from the probe seem to correspond with the end of hydrogen based nuclear reactions in the core, including increased gravitational disruption in the star's upper plasma layers as the stellar core begins to contract. This process brings additional hydrogen into the zone where the temperature and pressure are adequate to cause fusion and so fusion continues in a shell about the core. The higher temperatures lead to increasing reaction rates, producing enough energy to increase the star's luminosity by a factor of 1,000–10,000. The outer layers of the star then expand greatly, thus beginning the red-giant phase of the star's life. As the star expands, the energy produced in the burning shell of the star is spread over a much larger surface area, resulting in a lower surface temperature and a shift in the star's visible light output towards the red – hence it becomes a red giant."

Here she paused again to insert sensor data and images sent back to the Victory from the long-range probe. "The scientist in me is intrigued without question, no one has been present to actually witness this process starting and we are most definitely going to spend a little time taking a much closer look at just what is taking place inside that star. I'm interested as well to see what impact the increased stellar activity may have on the planets in orbit around the star. I've been present to see a star reach hydrostatic equilibrium before.. but this is the first time anyone has been able to witness the beginning of a star's end."

Another pause, "If the sensor readings are correct, and the fourth planet here is life-bearing.. I wonder what impact the changes taking place in the star will have on the world and it's inhabitants. I almost hope there are no indications of an intelligent species here.. how horrible would it be to stand witness to the death of your home star, knowing it means the certain end of your world, your civilization.. everything as you know it.."

"We'll soon find out.."


*END LOG*

 

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