Gelefog

The fiirst planet orbiting the yellow-white class F main sequence star is commonly referred to as "Gelefog". This name derives from an abridging of the old Terran Portuguese language for the phrase gelo e fogo (translated into Standard as "ice and fire"). The name is an appropriate one as this planet's extremely eccentric orbit results in it having quite extreme summer and winter seasons. One orbit is completed in three standard years.

Settlements on the planet, as well as the orbiting starport, are the property of the Lanthanex Corporation; a significant portion of the population are Lanthanex employees engaged in the extraction of so-called "rare earth" minerals from the planet. The planet is completely devoid of native plant and animal life, except for a unicellular algae-like organism found in the sea beds that has evolved photosynthetic capabilities as well as the hardiness required to survive the planet's extreme climate swings. These organisms are responsible for the breathable oxygen content of the atmosphere. All food for residents must be imported from offworld.

Climate

The eccentricity of the orbit is extreme enough that it comes very close to moving the planet into and out of the so-called "goldilocks zone" of its parent star twice each year. As the planet nears its perihelion, average surface temperatures approach 80C - not quite enough to boil the oceans, but enough for significant evaporation to occur. During the course of planet summer, the few small seas on the planet surface dry up nearly completely. Planet summer lasts for approximately 4.5 standard months. At this time, tidal forces imposed by the star are quite strong, resulting in significant seismic activity. Planetquakes are numerous; crust plate cracking and shifting, and volcanic mountain eruptions are commonplace. The noxious gases emitted by the planet during this season are the reason visitors require filter masks to breathe.

As the planet swings away from its star, temperatures drop, and the evaporated water rains down on the world in torrential storms. Having been carried by wind systems, much of this water falls in the high mountanous regions of the planet. At sufficient altitude, this precipitation will be in the form of ice and snow, creating icecaps and glaciers on the tallest peaks. The rest collects into rivers which flow violently back toward the seas until temperature drop freezes them. Planet autumn lasts about 9 standard months.

At aphelion, average surface temperatures drop as low as -30C. All surface water freezes solid. Precipitation rates drop to near zero, but strong winds can blow loose snow and ice crystals causing pseudo-snowstorms. Planet winter is the longet of the four seasons; lasting approximately 13.5 standard months.

Finally, as the planet begins its journey back toward its star, Glaciers and ice caps, begin to melt, and water returns to the sea. Storms are not as severe as in planet autumn, and river flows not quite as intense. Planet spring lasts approximately 9 standard months.

Living on Gelefog

Long term residents of Gelefog live an almost nomadic existence. The summer seismic activity brings rich, fresh deposits of minerals to the surface each planetary year. This activity - and the resulting mineral bounty - is greatest near the planet equator, but temperatures and seismic activity make it nearly impossible to survive and work there at that time. Thus, as summer approaches, there is a vast migration of miners and support staff - whole settlements of people - from locations near the equator to locations nearer the poles. Secondary mines near the poles provide continued purpose for employment.

At some point in the autumn, the "winter cities" all but empty once more as miners return to the equatorial regions to harvest the riches spewed forth by the planet throughout the remainder of the planet's autumn, winter, and the first part of spring. A handful remain to keep the winter cities and winter mines in decent repair.