Banner Image From: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2012646087/
The Environment:
A Rogue Planet:
![Picture](/uploads/3/8/8/8/38884465/1417785993.png)
As initially realized by Specialist Kapoor, Nube Oscura is a rogue planet, not bound to the orbit of any specific star. Previously unknown to the people of Earth, Nube Oscura was discovered by the crew of Mission 429 as an independent planetary body. Slightly smaller in size than the Milky Way planet Pluto, Nube Oscura is a relatively young planet who instead of orbiting a star, orbits the center of the Milky Way Galaxy.
At first sight, Nube Oscura appears to be a completely barren, rocky planet, which it is for the majority of the planet. But, there are small flourishing awases that spot the landscape, created by volcanic activity. (The importance of this volcanic activity is discussed in detail further on this page.) In these oases live all sorts of organic life forms, such as the fern like helecho plant and the bore like creature the verraco. (Further examples or organisms are discussed on “The Organisms" page of this study.) In all, Nube Oscura may be a rogue planet with an ominous texture, but it is in the pockets of life which this planet and the Mist flourish.
At first sight, Nube Oscura appears to be a completely barren, rocky planet, which it is for the majority of the planet. But, there are small flourishing awases that spot the landscape, created by volcanic activity. (The importance of this volcanic activity is discussed in detail further on this page.) In these oases live all sorts of organic life forms, such as the fern like helecho plant and the bore like creature the verraco. (Further examples or organisms are discussed on “The Organisms" page of this study.) In all, Nube Oscura may be a rogue planet with an ominous texture, but it is in the pockets of life which this planet and the Mist flourish.
the Lack of Light:
Being a rogue planet, Nube Oscura does not orbit any individual or specific star and therefore does not receive any direct patterned sunlight. All light which the planet receives is from distant stars which leads to unpredictability and a lack of saturation. The life of Nube Oscura has adapted to this lack of light to be able to thrive in this apparent adversity. For example, on Earth, life relies on the energy given from the sun, but the life on Nube Oscura relies on the chemical activity as a result of the volcanic activity from the developing core. (The Mist have developed specific genetic adaptations to be able to function in this darker climate, such as darker skin and adaptations of the eyes, which are discussed in “The Mist” portion of this study.)
As a secondary result of the lack of light, there are high levels of water saturation because of the lack of solar energy to evaporate the water in the air. This high concentration is related to the the high levels of ground water located slightly below the surface and above ground in many of the volcanic oases. It is this water which, in reaction with the molten lava which has created, and is still creating, the outer mantle of Nube Oscura.
It is this upper mantle which is slightly illuminated by the unpredictable light of the universe around Nube Oscura, and which is home to a highly complex and thriving system of life.
As a secondary result of the lack of light, there are high levels of water saturation because of the lack of solar energy to evaporate the water in the air. This high concentration is related to the the high levels of ground water located slightly below the surface and above ground in many of the volcanic oases. It is this water which, in reaction with the molten lava which has created, and is still creating, the outer mantle of Nube Oscura.
It is this upper mantle which is slightly illuminated by the unpredictable light of the universe around Nube Oscura, and which is home to a highly complex and thriving system of life.
The Core:
The core of Nube Oscura is extremely hot and molten, just like the core of Earth. What distinguishes it from the core of Earth is the composition and structure of the core, as a result of the lack of definite orbit or rotation. This difference is part of the reason why the Earth made compases did not react the same during the initial mission, for there is a lack of magnetic poles. (This, as well as the gravitational levels of Nube Oscura, is still being analyzed by this current study, for its importance and functionality.)
Volcanic Activity:
![Picture](/uploads/3/8/8/8/38884465/1417638442.png)
One of the results of this active core is the rapidly geologic activity, in the form of volcanic activity. At the center of every oasis is a small shield volcano, surrounded by molten lava, cooling volcanic rocks, and hot air vents, which sustain all life of this planet. All plants have developed as chemotropic autotrophs which thrive on the compounds released from the volcanic activity, such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), Hydrogen (H2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Hydrogen Chloride (HCL), Hydrogen Fluoride (HF), and Helium (HE). This is unlike the photosynthetic plants of Earth which rely on sunlight to produce energy.
As a result of the reaction of water and lava, the landscape of Nube Oscura is constantly changing and littered with igneous rock. This new land is highly rich in nutrients which aids in the growth and vitality of life on Nube Oscura.
Also as a result of the seismic activity, the landscape of Nube Oscura is littered with caves, which the Mist use as shelter. The rocky terrain, which does not support life, is still as barren as when Mission 429 arrived, but this study of Nube Oscura has sparked an interest within the Mist about the land in between their homesteads. This land might yield clues to the birth and early development of the planet itself.
As a result of the reaction of water and lava, the landscape of Nube Oscura is constantly changing and littered with igneous rock. This new land is highly rich in nutrients which aids in the growth and vitality of life on Nube Oscura.
Also as a result of the seismic activity, the landscape of Nube Oscura is littered with caves, which the Mist use as shelter. The rocky terrain, which does not support life, is still as barren as when Mission 429 arrived, but this study of Nube Oscura has sparked an interest within the Mist about the land in between their homesteads. This land might yield clues to the birth and early development of the planet itself.