Arken II

Arken II is the second planet in the Arken system and homeworld of the humanoid Arkenites, a member of the United Federation of Planets.

Location

 * Arken system
 * According to the map coordinates provided in the Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Sourcebook Update, and adjusting the map orientation in The Federation FASA supplement, Arken II is located in the Alpha Quadrant.

Name(s)

 * Arken II

Moon(s)
Arken II has no moons.

Other data

 * Planetary classification: Class M
 * Gravity: 0.7g
 * Diameter: 9,200 kilometres
 * Equatorial circumference: 28,902 kilometres
 * Percent land mass: 47%
 * Length of day: 20 hours

Historical
See Arkenites.

Arken II was not originally part of the Arken system. Federation astronomers believe the planet was hurled into interstellar space when its original star went nova. It drifted until caught by the gravitational pull of the twin suns Arken A and Arken B whose planetary system was still forming.

Political
Arken II was originally part of the Andorian Empire prior to the formation of the United Federation of Planets. The Andorians invited Arken II into the Federation shortly after its founding, eventually becoming a full-status member after years of debate.

Geographical
When Arken II drifted into the Arken system, the intense heat of the twin stars fused the sand-covered surface into a thick transparent crust. Underground rivers and lakes washed away any sand left in the grass plains.

The length of a single year on Arken II is 200 standard days, which results in a somewhat whirlwind cycle of seasons. Summer lasts 20 days but surface temperatures range from 20 to 50 Celsius at the equator. Autumn is marked by rain and storms for approximately 80 days. Winter freezes the planet's oceans with equatorial surface temperatures plunging anywhere between -25 to -10 Celsius. Spring is the most temperate season and lasts for roughly 80 days.