Space Engine #4 - Exploring the NST Cluster!

I'm using Space Engine to visualise the NST cluster, a 500ly x 500ly x500ly cube of 240,000 systems that I generated using my own planetary system code!

[ColinPaddock]

NST 768-2 I would’ve figured, in spite of cosmic abundances, that for “small” bodies with subgiant atmospheres that the proportions would be a bit different from what’s shown. Maybe mostly helium with the bulk of the remainder as CO2/N2/etc. and hydrogen filling in the last few percent. This would vary with age and mass, with larger and/or younger bodies retaining more hydrogen(and helium, but cosmic abundances start to dominate, though probably not for bodies much smaller than Neptune unless they’re VERY young). I’m no expert, either, though…

[ColinPaddock]

The ellipsoidal atmosphere is, I think, supposed to represent something like Larry Niven’s Jinx. I don’t think that’s a real physical possibility, so Mesklin might be a better choice. I think Clement had a better of physical planetology than Niven.