Vedala asteroid

A Vedala asteroid or Vedala homeship was one of many rogue planetoids and asteroids adapted by the Vedala with constructed atmospheric lighting and artificial propulsion. They were known to exist in the 23rd century but were rarely seen. 

Background
Vedala homeships were the types of spacecraft on which the Vedala explored the galaxy. They provided privacy, which was highly valued.

An unspecified technology generated illumination within the atmosphere, but this interfered with visual observations from orbit. One such asteroid featured miniature plains as well as small oceans and mountain ranges. 

The Vedala, or their homeships, were capable of generating holographic imagery and facilitating long distance transport. 

History
"Long ago" the Vedala built homeships, then abandoned their homeworlds to wander the galaxy.

In 2270, Vedala worried that a Skorr war would interfere with Vedala interests and the movement of their vessels, so they chose to intervene when a religious artifact was stolen. However, they had seen clues that the thief would destroy the artifact if Vedala took direct action. As a result, they requested assistance from the Federation. 

After three expeditions were unable to retrieve this artifact, the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) was summoned to a Vedala asteroid, joining four other vessels in orbit. 

At the time, neither Captain James T. Kirk nor Spock had seen a Vedala asteroid, and Nyota Uhura had not heard of them. Kirk and Spock were beamed underneath a transparent dome that isolated them from the rest of the homeship, limiting what they could see of it. 

Vedala transported Kirk, Spock, Prince Tchar,, Sord, and Em/3/Green from the asteroid to the Mad Planet, then returned them once the artifact was found. To outside observers, only a few minutes had elapsed, making it seem as though nothing had happened. 

Connections

 * For other powered celestial bodies, see: Drasid, Lethiq, Lathoq, Mett One, Mett Two, Oj, Rifas-L, Varkan asteroid