The
Planet Ralinius
BIOL 103 Biology in Science Fiction
Ralinius
is slightly larger than Earth in size, and orbits a medium star. The atmosphere
is thicker than Earth’s, with a good deal of carbon dioxide and methane
filling the upper strata of the atmosphere. Hence Ralinius retains heat
very well. The huge oceans of the planet moderate the extra heat very well,
preventing extreme temperatures in the equatorial and polar
regions.
The
planet Ralinius is a watery planet much as Earth is. The oceans cover most
of the surface, though they are not very deep. The gravitational pull of
the planet’s three massive moons give the planet a strong and seemingly
unpredictable flow of tides. As a result, the shallow oceans can shift
swiftly, submerging huge areas of land.
Most
of Ralinius experiences very little climatic change due to the moderating
effect of the shifting waters. Along with the changing wind patterns and
thick atmosphere, this makes Ralinius a relatively stable planet climate-wise.
There are patches of isolated land that receive little variation in tide
or weather, and these are prone to ice over in the winter months.