Starfleet Stellar Cartography
MINSHARA CLASS PLANET
The term "Minshara Class", often abbreviated to simply "M-Class" is a classification used by the Vulcan Science Ministry and later adopted by the Earth Starfleet to describe Earth-like habitable planets.
Star Type Classifications based on luminosity and solar mass. Minshara Class worlds typically orbit Main Sequence stars
Minshara Class worlds are typically terrestrial planets, moons, or similarly bodies capable of retaining an Earth-like atmosphere and supporting life. These worlds typically exist within a system’s habitable zone, though in rare cases geothermal activity can sustain similar conditions outside it, and feature gravity close to Earth normal.
The atmospheres of Minshara class worlds are dominated by nitrogen and oxygen with trace elements and supporting weather systems such as rainfall. Surfaces are often rich in liquid water and may appear blue and green from space due to oceans and vegetation, while below the surface they are geologically active, mineral-rich, and structured around a nickel-iron core. Class M worlds commonly support carbon-based ecosystems, ranging from simple biological compounds to complex plant and animal life, and in some cases humanoid species.
MOON CLASSIFICATIONS
Planetary moons are classified according to size; the smallest class A moons often being captured small asteroids. Earth's Moon (Luna) is categorized as a Class D moon, while most asteroids as classified as Class C. Gas giant moons range from small Class A to the more common Class E, such as Titan, Europa, and Ganymede, while larger gas giants may host terrestrial moons with atmospheres, some even supporting life.
COMET TYPES
Comets are extra-solar bodies, often originated from stellar cloud remnants left over from a star system's formation. Comets typically have lengthy elongated orbits around a system's star, growing a "tail" as they travel closer to the star and begin heating, releasing a trail of gases. The most famous example is Halley's Comet, a Type E comet in the Sol system. A "rouge comet" is a comet traveling through space independently outside of a star system
NEBULA CLASSIFICATIONS
Nebulas vary greatly in size and composition from small pocket and micro nebulas to vast nebulas hundreds of light years across
STELLAR LIFECYCLE
