Semper Exploro Phase II - Data: Planetary Classifications

Planetary Classification

Depicted here are all of the Classes of Planets, seen in Star Trek.

	Class A Age 0-2 billion years Diameter 1,000 – 10,000 km Location Ecosphere/Cold Zone Surface Partially molten Atmosphere Primarily hydrogen compounds Evolution Cools to become Class – C Life-forms None Example Gothos		Class B Age 0-10 billion years Diameter 1,000 – 10,000km Location Hot Zone Surface Partially molten, high surface temperature Atmosphere Extremely tenuous, few chemically active gases Life-forms None Example Mercury
	Class C Age 2-10 billion Diameter 1,000-10,00km Location Ecosphere/Cold Zone Surface Low surface temperature Atmosphere Frozen Life-forms None Examples Pluto (still considered a planet in Star Trek), Psi 2000		Class D Age 2-10 billion years Diameter 100-1,000km Location Hot Zone/Ecosphere/Cold Zone; found primarily in orbit of larger planets or in asteroid fields Surface Barren and cratered Atmosphere none or very tenuous Life-forms None Examples Moon (Sol IIIa), Lunar V (Bajor VIIe)
	Class E Age 0-2 billion years Diameter 10,000-15,000 km Location Ecosphere Surface Molten, high surface temperature Atmosphere Hydrogen compounds and reactive gases Evolution Cools to become Class-F Life-forms Carbon-cycle (Excalbian) Examples Excalbia		Class F Age 1-3 billion years Diameter 10,000-15,000 km Location Ecosphere Surface Volcanic eruptions due to molten core Atmosphere Hydrogen compounds Evolution Cools to become Class-G Life-forms Silicon-based (Horta) Examples Janus IV
	Class G Age 3-4 billion years Diameter 10,000-15,000 km Location Ecosphere Surface Still crystallizing Atmosphere Carbon dioxide, some toxic gases Evolution Cools to become Class-K, L, M, N, O or P Life-forms Primitive single-celled Organisms Examples Delta Vega		Class H Age 4-10 billion years Diameter 8,000-15,000 km Location Hot Zone/Ecosphere/Cold Zone Surface Hot and arid, little or no surface water Atmosphere Many contain heavy gases and metal vapors Evolution Life-forms Drought- and radiation-resistant plants, animal life Examples Rigel XII, Tau Cygna V
	Class I Age 2-10 billion years Diameter 140,000-10 million km Location Cold Zone Surface Tenuous, comprised of gaseous compounds; radiates heat Atmosphere Zones vary in temperature, pressure and composition; water vapor may be present Life-forms Unknown Examples Q'tahl		Class J Age 2-10 billion years Diameter 50,000- 140,000 km Location Cold Zone Surface Tenuous, comprised of gaseous compounds; radiates some heat Atmosphere Zones vary in temperature, pressure and composition Life-forms Hydrocarbon-based (Jovian) Examples Jupiter, Saturn
	Class K Age 4-10 billion years Diameter 5,000-10,000 km Location Ecosphere Surface Barren, little of no surface water Atmosphere Thin, mostly carbon dioxide Life-forms Primitive single-celled organisms; adaptable for humanoid colonization through the use of pressure domes. Examples Mars, Mudd		Class L Age 4-10 billion years Diameter 10,000-15,000 km Location Ecosphere Surface Rocky and barren, little surface water Atmosphere Oxygen/argon, high concentration of carbon dioxide Life-forms Limited to plant life; suitable for human colonization Examples Q'tahl
	Class M Age 3-10 billion years Diameter 10,000-15,000 km Location Ecosphere Surface surface water abundant; if water or ice covers more than 80%, planet is considered Class-O or Class-P Atmosphere Nitrogen, oxygen, trace elements Life-forms Extensive vegitation, animal life, humanoid Examples Earth, Vulcan, Cardassia Prime		Class N Age 3-10 billion years Diameter 10,000-15,000 km Location Ecosphere Surface High surface temperature due to greenhouse effect; water exists only as vapor Atmosphere Extremely dense, carbon dioxide, sulfides Life-forms Unknown Examples Venus
	Class O Age 3-10 billion years Diameter 10,000-15,000 km Location Ecosphere Surface Liquid water covers 80% or more of surface area Atmosphere Nitrogen, oxygen, trace elements Life-forms Aquatic vegetation, animal life, humanoids Examples Argo		Class P Age 3-10 billion years Diameter 10,000-15,000 km Location Ecosphere Surface Water ice covers 80% or more of surface area Atmosphere Nitrogen, oxygen, trace elements Life-forms Hardy vegetation, animal life, humanoids Examples Exo III
	Class Q Age 2-10 billion years Diameter 4,000-15,000 km Location Hot Zone/Ecosphere/Cold Zone Surface Rages from molten to water and/or carbon dioxide ice, due to eccentric orbit or variable output of star Atmosphere Ranges from tenuous to very dense Examples Genesis Planet		Class R Age 2-10 billion years Diameter 4,000-15,000 km Location Interstellar space, commentary halos Surface May be temperate due to geothermal venting Atmosphere Primarily volcanic outgassing Life-forms Non-photosynthetic plants, animal life Examples Dakala
	Class S Age 2-10 billion years Diameter 10-50 million km Location Cold Zone Surface Tenuous, composed of gaseous hydrogen and hydrogen compounds; radiates considerable heat Atmosphere Zones vary in temperature, pressure and composition; water vapor may be present Life-forms Unknown		Class T Age 2-10 billion years Diameter 50-120 million km Location Cold Zone Surface Tenuous, composed of gaseous hydrogen and hydrogen compounds; radiates considerable heat Atmosphere Zones vary in temperature, pressure and composition; water vapor may be present Life-forms Unknown
	Class Y Age 2-10 billion years Diameter 10,000-15,000 km Location Hot Zone/Ecosphere/Cold Zone Surface Temperature can exceed 500°K Atmosphere Turbulent, saturated with toxic chemicals and thermionic radiation. Life-forms Non-photosynthetic plants, animal life Examples Mimetic

Note: Classes X, Y and Z are reserved for planets with environments that are hostile to human life.

Credits

These Images and the text with them are from the print publication, Star Trek Star Charts, a book by Geoffrey Mandel. All of these images were scanned, cleaned up and edited for use on this website. No infringement upon Paramount's or third-party copyright is intended.