H040
(Type M6 III star, 8 planets)
This red giant star is waging an almost constant battle for control of the nearby yellow-white star's planets. However, due to the rather extreme distance between the two neighbors (more than two light-years), to date, the red giant has only managed to capture only a profusion of asteroids, all class I and L worldlets.
H041
(Type K5 VI star, 1 planet)
This orange subdwarf is mostly unremarkable. The single planet is a class I asteroid, almost certainly a rogue captured millions of years ago from the remnants of a previous system in the area. The one unusual aspect of the system: H041 is a very young star, possibly even fourth-generation. Dust clouds and nebular remnants are common in the immediate area of the star, indicating that a previous generation of stars is long since gone, but this orange subdwarf is much younger than the other stars in the area.
H042 - Omsi System
(Type M6 V star, 7 planets)
This red main sequence system seems to have come heart-breakingly close to the parameters needed for life to develop. There are two planets that were clearly once class M, particularly the second planet, which shows evidence of water channels and an extensive fossil record stretching back several hundred million years. Unfortunately, the parent star of this system simply is not bright enough to support a family of planets, and appears to have been growing larger and more dim as the years pass. This is probably indicative that its final death is approaching and that the star will nova sometime in the next century.
In the meantime, there are seven planets here, class G, two class K, one class L, a class B, a class A, and a class I, in order of orbit. Both the second and third planets show polar ice-caps. It is fairly unlikely that the second planet ever developed intelligent life, but more exploration would be required. The rather haphazard sensor readings of a Churchill exploration team reveal a planet where some relatively high-level lifeforms (mammals, birds) developed and then died off as the star cooled. The system's name is apparently based on a museum that the chief of the first exploration team was once a curator for.
H043
(Type M4 III star, no planets)
This large red giant star has no planets, but at least three other stars are in orbit, including one red dwarf. The star also has a significant gravitational impact on many of the other systems in the region.
H044
(Type G0 VI star, 2 planets)
Stars in this region tend to be smaller than average, and H044 is no exception. This yellow subdwarf lacks sufficient mass to form or hold a significant family of planets, but it does have two well-developed worlds in orbit, one class J, one class K. Unfortunately, the planets are too close to their parent star and too frequently bombarded by random asteroidal visitors from the other nearby systems to ever develop life.
Like many of the other stars in this region, this system is a bit "dustier" than average, with extensive dust clouds and micrometeroid debris. Strong navigational deflectors are advisable in this region.
H045
(Type O8 VI star, no planets)
This blue subdwarf is fading fast, strongly indicating a probable future nova is imminent. There is evidence of a past stellar catastrophe in this system as well; a white dwarf orbits this star, the probable remains of a former red giant. A planetary nebula has formed, adding to the already-significant dust and debris throughout this region. The radiation count in the system is also high.
Even more odd, though, there is evidence of some kind of subspace disruption in this system, making navigating in this region even more dangerous. One possible explanation: the starship Churchill may have fought a battle in this system in the past. Reorsan temporal torpedoes generate subspace disruptions consistent with those observed in this system. If that's the case, however, no records of such a battle exist in Reorsan records. Of course, other Reorsan craft carry the temporal weapons as well, including their patrol craft. If the Captain of such a craft decided to destroy the records... or if the Reorsan ship was destroyed here... of course the records would not exist. Further study is indicated.
H046
(Type G6 VI star, 1 planet)
One of hundreds of subdwarfs in this sector, this one is unusual only because it has captured a rogue asteroid at some point in the distant past.
Like many of the other stars in this region, this system is a bit "dustier" than average, with extensive dust clouds and micrometeroid debris. Strong navigational deflectors are advisable in this region.
H047
(Type M1 IV star, 6 planets)
One of only two large stars with planets in this sector, H047 would not be regarded as unusual anywhere else. Its six planets are an unremarkable mix of class D, E, F, and G worlds, with a single class B gas giant and a class I asteroid in a retrograde orbit rounding out the mix. There are, however, no fewer than three asteroid belts in this system, corresponding with the second, third, and sixth orbits, probably indicating that this system once had nine planets.
As a result, the system is a reasonably good source for raw materials, particulary iron ores and disulfides, including dilithium and keltrinium crystals. While the environment in the system is fairly harsh owing to the nebular debris, radiation, dust, and micrometeoroids common in this sector, the risk is not unmanageable. As a result, at some point in the future, this system might serve as an important resource point.
H048 - Penthia System
(Type K0 IV star, 10 planets)
This system has any number of unusual features, starting with a class M planet at the sixth orbit out from this very bright orange subgiant star. It is unusual enough for orange stars to have class M planets circling them, but to have one so far away from such a relatively cool star is almost unheard of. However, Penthia VI is only marginally class M... it probably more closely matches the parameters of a class L world. A thick upper atmosphere heavy in carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide provides a fairly aggressive greenhouse effect, helping to further warm the surface. However, median temperatures at the equator rarely rise above 30 degrees Celsius.
The other unusual feature of this system is a type S near star in the tenth orbit out from the star. Binary systems are very common in this region, and the presence of the near star both helps with Penthia VI's energy budget and probably represents a failed binary system in its own right: the type S has a type A gas giant in orbit, technically representing the Penthia star's ninth planet. The other planets in the system are a bit more typical, with several of the mid-range classes represented, particularly one class H planet in the fourth orbit. There is also an asteroid belt between the second and third orbits, probably representing an earlier planet torn apart by the gravitational forces in this system, which are fairly intense.
Radiation counts are high in this system, and ships should not enter without active shields. Delta-band radiation is particularly prevalent, rendering most sensor systems problematic and transporters useless. Fortunately, Penthia VI's thick atmosphere does an effective job of shielding the planet from the radiation. All in all, however, the system is fairly unfriendly to dirt-based life.
This makes the presence of a Kioth colony on the surface even more surprising. The colony, numbering approximately 150,000 Kioth and Taeren, has been established for approximately 50 years. The technology level on the planet is consistent with late 21st century on Earth, with warp-capable ships and shuttles uncommon, but present. However, the colony's medical and chemical knowledge is excellent, in some cases better than modern Federation standard. The Kioth homeworld must have been quite advanced in these regards. There are eighteen major communities on Penthia VI, many split along Enclave lines. Farviewer Enclave are most common on the planet, and currently make up the majority of the planet's ruling council.
H049
(Type F7 VI star, 1 planet)
The scan results on this planet are inconclusive at best and were provided by the Kioth in the Penthia system, who seem aggressively disinterested in exploration. However, the data they were able to provide indicates that there is a yellow-white subdwarf star here with a red subdwarf and one larger asteroid in orbit. The Kioth scans also indicate the presence of an extensive asteroid belt, significant dust, debris, and gas clouds in this system possibly indicative of a failed gas giant.