Orion Rift
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| Orion Rift | |
|---|---|
| System Information | |
| X:Y Coordinates | 813.06 : -296.14[e] |
The Orion Rift was a molecular cloud located in the Deep Periphery.[1]
System Description[edit]
The Orion Rift was the name given to a molecular cloud (or stellar nursery) located in the spinward region of the Deep Periphery, past the Outworlds Alliance and Taurian Concordat. The region was a major astrographical feature, hosting a far lower number of habitable worlds than the typical quantity of one to three worlds per thousand stars of the Inner Sphere. This interstellar "desert" was considered a partial reason for the lack of growth spinward.[1][2]
The cloud obscures direct sightlines to numerous other astronomical features, such as the Lambda Orionis nebula, Star Cluster 65 and the Star League terraforming project on Mauna Loa.[1]
System History[edit]
While lacking the average numbers of habitable or semi-habitable worlds of the Inner Sphere, the Orion Rift does host numerous attempts at colonization. Very few of these attempts survived to the present day, mostly due to the barren nature of the target worlds, but also because of lack of external support, technological failure, and civil strife. Pirate bands would sometimes operate from the region, but generally not for long—the lack of suitable targets and support capabilities makes survival challenging. Generally, the remaining worlds that sport inhabitants are those of the subsistence farming ilk, unable to do more than survive in their host environments.[2]
Notes[edit]
The Orion Rift was first identified in 2012 with the publication of Interstellar Expeditions: Interstellar Players 3. Other than the location of the Orion Rift and its definition as a molecular cloud, no information was provided on the feature; in the absence of further information on the Deep Periphery no further detail is likely to be available the Orion Rift.