Download Planet XZ-179

Planet XZ-179
On planet XZ-179 there are few life forms. The planet itself is a mixture of fire and ice, literally. While the
surface of the planet is frozen over (-89 degrees Fahrenheit), magma flows beneath the layers of ice (reaching
temperatures of 2000 degrees Fahrenheit). The frozen layer is approximately one mile thick. At its normal
distance from the sun, the planet endures 500mph winds blasting across the surface. The winds often carry
shards of razor sharp ice with them.
Living within the one mile thick layer of ice are photosynthetic bacteria. These bacteria are able to capture the
minimal sun emissions, in order to produce some glucose (sugar) and oxygen. Most of the oxygen, however is
frozen within the planet’s surface. The bacteria release excess sugar and oxygen in small vesicles stored
underneath the frozen surface. These bacteria also undergo respiration, however, using some of the sugar and
oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. Other chemosynthetic bacteria also live within the layers of ice,
thriving on waste compounds containing nitrogen and sulfur.
Build up of these sugar-oxygen vesicles creates “weak spots” in the frozen crust. This can allow the extremely
hot magma to break through the ice, and erupt out of the surface. Because the surface is ice (frozen water),
when the magma erupts out of the surface, it quickly melts any other ice it contacts. This can leave large open
craters of exposed magma. The bacteria actually reproduce under increased temperatures, causing them to
respire more, and release more carbon dioxide and water. The water is quickly frozen back up, sealing up parts
of the open craters.
Every 100,000 years Planet XZ-179 changes its orbit, and travels extremely close to the sun. This increases the
planet’s surface temperature from -89 degrees Fahrenheit to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. This causes most of the
ice to melt, and exposes the magma. The bacteria still thrive under these conditions, and are able to survive
exposure to the sun and magma.