Tenuous, comprised of gaseous hydrogen and hydrogen compounds, radiates some heat Variable pressure and composition, may contain water vapor Tenuous, comprised of gaseous hydrogen and hydrogen compounds, radiates heat Star Charts classifications Classīarren and cratered metallic, iron- nickel- silicate The two sources have classes D, K and M in common, but otherwise assign classifications to conflicting letters. Two partially conflicting listings of planetary classification have been given by the 1989 book The Worlds of the Federation and the 2002 book Star Charts. The Klingons had a separate classification system, one of which is a Q'tahL class. ( ST reference: Star Charts ENT episode: ' Strange New World') For example, Class M (sharing meaning with the Vulcan designation Minshara class) is applied to planets that can support life without any special circumstances, such as Earth, Vulcan, or Cardassia. This system is used to determine the suitability of the planet for exploration, colonization, and scientific research.Įach class of planet is assigned a letter in the alphabet based on its suitability. The Federation classified planets it cataloged based on criteria such as atmospheric composition, surface temperature, and conditions, the size of the body, and the presence of animal and plant life.
