Graviton ellipse A graviton ellipse ( designated as spatial anomaly 521 by the Borg ) was a stable pocket of normal space moved by a surrounding elliptical gravimetric distortion perimeter measuring millions of terajoule s of subspace energy . Graviton ellipses travel through subspace , emerging into normal space and extra - dimensional realms only when they are in proximity of objects that emit electromagnetic energy , such as spacecraft and dark matter asteroid s . The ellipses themselves generate an electromagnetic radiation field of dangerous levels to humanoid s that make the anomaly react like a magnet drawn to another magnet , relative to its target . The Borg had discovered that cutting down power and simultaneously reversing the polarity of deflector shield s will result in the anomaly no longer being attracted to the ship . The anomalies remain outside of subspace for some hours only . In addition to the electromagnetic field , these anomalies emit level 9 gravimetric distortions through subspace to the space around them , creating severe turbulence . As an ellipse emerges from subspace , the initial target it was drawn to is already in range of the distortions and will no longer be capable of forming warp field s to escape . In addition , the target ship will experience a ship - wide power drain . An ellipse could overtake the ship even if it was traveling at maximum impulse . The stress caused by the gravimetric interference is higher closer to the perimeter and can tear some starship s apart . Some ships can , however , survive the ordeal intact . The actual elliptical perimeter of the anomaly is composed of gravimetric current s of increasing gravimetric shear intensity closer to the interior of the phenomenon . As the anomaly changes course or devours objects , it discharges gravimetric surge s in the perimeter that travel outward and even affect objects thousands of kilometer s away . The core of a graviton ellipse is totally free of gravimetric distortions . The electromagnetic activity of the anomaly creates a natural luminescence , and the ambient temperature of the interior is −260 degrees . The pocket of normal space remains completely stable and calm regardless of what the speed , location , or movements of the anomaly are . The Borg have theorized it to be possible to dissipate the anomaly from within its interior . To that end , they developed shield enhancements to allow ships passage through the gravimetric distortions . These enhancements could also be added to shields used by Starfleet craft such as the " Delta Flyer " or a Class 2 shuttle . Modifications took several hours and required an operator familiar with Borg technology to successfully maintain the protection . One such graviton ellipse , with a perimeter over a kilometer in diameter , had been in existence from the time of the formation of the Milky Way Galaxy . It was found to have devoured objects from all of the quadrant s of the galaxy and from extra - dimensional realms . An atmosphere had even formed from the interactions of chemical s it had accumulated . In 2032 , this anomaly emerged in the Sol system and devoured the " Ares IV " Mars orbiter . This was mankind ' s first encounter with a spatial anomaly . The same ellipse attempted to devour in the Delta Quadrant in 2376 . Commander Chakotay suggested the anomaly to be renamed as the " kitchen sink anomaly " due to the debris field contained inside . Graviton ellipses have been observed only a handful of times , and no known ship had ever survived the encounter or escaped being devoured , before " Voyager " . ( )