| Stardate: 90374.5 | Report Submitted: LCDR K. Sedai |
The U.S.S. Odin and U.S.S. Satisfaction arrived in orbit of October-1a's eighth planet for survey and analysis. Doctor Lindresko and myself each piloted a shuttle to oversee and deploy monitoring satellites in orbit on the far side of the planet, while the Satisfaction dropped a satellite on the nearer side. All three vessels rendezvoused with the Odin, which was deploying a fourth satellite to monitor the planet's moon.
October-1a-8 registered to be a class Y planet, with an atmosphere comprised primarily of carbon dioxide and nitrogen, as well as a large percentage of ammonia. We turned our attention instead to the planet's class K satellite, with an exceptionally thin, nearly non-existent atmosphere of nitrogen and liquid neon that necessitated the use of EV suits for exploration. Captain Riize, Captain McCarthy, Doctor Lindresko and I beamed down to the moon's surface.
Naturally the moon's surface was fairly dim illumination-wise, so we were stunned to discover evidence of natural luminescence everywhere, from crystalline structures to well-sized plants spotting the rocky terrain. Most intriguing were the venting pools of glowing liquid, which Captain Riize determined to be mercury, though the illumination was being generated by bacterial colonies that naturally generate sufficient heat to keep the mercury in its liquid state. Large burrowing insects were in evidence and subsurface scans suggest that the mercury vents are openings to subterranean pools.
To indulge in whimsy for a moment, I would humbly submit the designation "SEUSS" for this particular satellite and its planetary counterpart. It seems more than appropriate, considering the rather unorthodox looking plant life and general terrain.
Finally, I imagine it would interest a number of parties to know that the crystalline structures were identified as a somewhat diluted and impure form of dilithium.
//SIGNED//
LCDR Katriel Sedai