Aurea

### Etymology

The name "Aurea" is derived from the Latin word "aureus," meaning "golden." It symbolizes the planet's remarkable beauty and the golden opportunities it presents to explorers and inhabitants alike.

### Natural History

Aurea, also known as Alphabeta I, is a terrestrial exoplanet situated in the binary star system Alphabeta, orbiting around the primary star Alpha. Its discovery sparked curiosity among the humans, making it a focal point for scientific exploration.

### Geophysical Characteristics

Aurea boasts diverse landscapes, from lush forests and vast oceans to towering mountain ranges and serene valleys. Its geophysical features reflect a harmonious blend of natural wonders, making it an ideal setting for scientific investigation and discovery.

### Orbit and Rotation

Aurea orbits at a distance of approximately 8 Astronomical Units (AU) from Alpha, its parent star. It completes a full revolution around Alpha every 486 days, marking its orbital year. Additionally, it rotates on its axis, resulting in day and night cycles that are roughly 27 hours long.

### Aurea–Selene-Athena System

Aurea has two moons, Selene and Athena. Selene is the closest moon, while Athena is the second one. The interactions between Aurea and its moons have intriguing implications for the planet's geophysical and biological phenomena.

### Hydrosphere

Aurea features a diverse hydrosphere, with vast oceans, rivers, and lakes that support various aquatic life forms. The presence of liquid water plays a crucial role in shaping the planet's ecosystems and fostering a hospitable environment for life.

### Atmosphere

Aurea's atmosphere is a balanced mixture of gases, primarily composed of nitrogen and oxygen. This atmosphere facilitates the sustenance of diverse life forms, including flora and fauna, while also providing the atmospheric pressure necessary for the planet's habitability.

### Life on Aurea

Aurea teems with a rich biodiversity of plant and animal species. Unique flora and fauna have evolved to thrive in different environments, ranging from the dense forests to the vast grasslands. Scientific expeditions have revealed fascinating discoveries about the planet's living organisms.

### Human Geography

Aurea has become a focal point of interstellar exploration, with governments and organizations from Earth initiating ambitious missions to study its natural history and establish research bases.

### Legacy

Aurea's discovery has reshaped the understanding of extraterrestrial life and the potential for coexistence with alien civilizations. Its significance in the "Alphabeta" universe exemplifies the spirit of interstellar exploration and the pursuit of knowledge beyond our solar system.

## Aurea

Aurea as seen from outer space in an image known as The First Outer Life, taken by the "Aurora" crew on January 4, 2175

## Physical characteristics

### Circumference

* circumference equatorial = 40,270 km
* circumference meridional = 39,907 km

### Surface area

* surface area total = 510,072,000 km2
* surface area land = 148,940,000 km2
* surface area water = 361,132,000 km2

### Albedo

* albedo geometric = 0.367
* albedo bond = 0.306

### Temperature

* temperature\_mean = 287.91 K (14.76 °C; 58.57 °F)
* temperature\_min = -89.2 °C
* temperature\_max = 56.7 °C

## Surface temp. Celsius min mean max

### Celsius

* temperature\_mean = 14.76 °C
* temperature\_min = -89.2 °C
* temperature\_max = 56.7 °C

### Fahrenheit

* temperature\_mean = 58.57 °F
* temperature\_min = -128,56 °F
* temperature\_max = 134,06 °F

## Atmosphere

### Composition by volume

* 78.08% nitrogen (N2; dry air),
* 20.95% oxygen (O2),
* ~1% water vapor (climate variable),
* 0.9340% argon,
* 0.0413% carbon dioxide,
* 0.00182% neon,
* 0.00052% helium,
* 0.00019% methane,
* 0.00011% krypton,
* 0.00006% hydrogen