Marmoris

Full image of Marmoris in natural color, with shadow of minor moon Gamma in southern hemisphere.

## Physical characteristics

### Composition by volume

Hydrogen 58.04%Helium 4.83%Water/icy envelope 35%Vacuum 2.13%

## Life

### Population

4.3 billion

Marmoris (full name *Marmoris Tempestas*, or *Marble Storm*) is a super-Jupiter class gas giant located 32,594 light years away from Earth. It is the fourth planet from its star, Marmoris\* (M\*). Unlike most gas giants of which have a rock or liquid metal core, Marmoris has a hollow core occupied by a form of sub-three-dimensional life. Because of this, it is one of the most notable objects in the Milky Way; it is widely viewed as a cosmic anomaly and is the source of many observational studies. Marmoris, Latin for *Marble*, earned its name due to the distinct massive bands covering its surface.

Marmoris is mainly comprised of *hydrogen* (58.04%). This gas, as well as *helium* (4.83%), reach from its surface to deep within its mantle. Hydrogen within the vibrant surface storms of Marmoris undergo phase change under immense pressure, turning the gas into metallic hydrogen near the core. This metallic hydrogen mixes with ice (water vapor compressed into a solid) and results in a strong interior storm which produces a weak *magnetic field*. The majority of Marmoris' magnetic field, however, is generated as a result of the life within its core. A key component of these lifeforms (CoSEnts, or *Cosmic String Entities*) are magnetic monopoles. The existence of CoSEnts' magnetism allow for Marmoris' magnetic field.

## Formation

Marmoris was formed approx. 8.399 billion years ago after a cosmic string, a one-dimensional object formed during the early universe's cooling, drifted into orbit of the star M\*. The gravity well of this object began to attract various gasses in the early star system's circumstellar disk, eventually accumulating enough material to hold an ellipsoid form. The gravity well also pulled in special particles called magnetic monopoles which became entangled with the cosmic string.

While currently the core of Marmoris is hollow, it is thought that the core was initially comprised of primarily highly condensed metallic hydrogen.

As a result of continuous nuclear fission within the mantle and core, these "necklaces" of strings and monopole particles were continuously disturbed and rearranged, altering their structure. Naturally the most stable combinations survived, and these 'genetics' passed on through generations via a form of asexual reproduction. Demonstrating the ability to continuously evolve and self-replicate, the necklaces were eventually considered to be a form of life. These entities are colloquially called *CoSEnts*, or *Cosmic String Entities*. In a feat of other-worldly engineering, CoSEnts excavated a sphere, approx. 2,482 km in diameter, of empty space in the core of Marmoris to serve as their own habitat. Considering their incredibly small living space, these entities organize their movements as one, exhibiting what has been described as a *swarm intelligence,* or *collective consciousness.*

In what appears to be an effort to adapt to the extraterrestrial practice of language, this swarm intelligence has referred to themselves as the singular *Io* to the rest of the galaxy. The name is a representation of the binary nature of their structure.