Aldebaran III (Alpha Tauri III) - Class M - United Federation of Planets

Location: Alpha Tauri system, Aldebaran sector, coordinates 2.01S 2.01E/10.6 56.5 -15.1, Beta Quadrant

System:
Aldebaran I
Aldebaran II: 3 moons
Aldebaran III (Aldebaran colony) : 6 moons
Aldebaran IV: 1 moon
Aldebaran V

Astronomical data:
Alpha Tauri A is an orange giant while Alpha Tauri B is a red dwarf. Alpha Tauri B orbits the primary at a distance of 97.5 billion kilometres. A reflective trail of mineral and ice debris can be seen trailing behind Alpha Tauri B as it travels along its orbit.

Dominant Species: Human and humanoids, Aldebaran natives

Population: 7.25 billion

Capital: New Aberdeen

Gravity: 1.2g

Diameter: 15,500 kilometers

Equatorial circumference: 49,000 kilometers

Length of day: 27 hours

Land mass percentage: 30%

Aldebaran III (also known as Aldebaran Colony or Alpha Tauri III) is a planet, the third planet of four in the Alpha Tauri star system in Federation space, in the Beta Quadrant, located almost 20 parsecs (65 light years) from Earth, where it is visible as the brightest star in the constellation of Taurus. This star is in the Aldebaran sector. It has at least five planets, one of which is home to the Aldebaran Music Academy. Doctor Elizabeth Dehner joined the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 from a colony here.

The Aldebaran mud leech, the Aldebaran serpent, Aldebaran whiskey, and the Aldebaran shellmouth originate from this system.

The Federation starship USS Aldebaran was named for this system.

History
Aldebaran III, the only class M planet in the Alpha Tauri system, has six moons. With only a small population of less than 1 million Aldebaran natives, this planet also became home to a Federation colony, growing to a population composed of over 7.25 billion individuals in the late 23rd century, mostly Humans and other humanoids. Aldebaran was the location of a key outpost in the New Aberdeen Shipyards, a Starfleet-maintained starship construction facility. The yards were the driving force in Starfleet's 23rd century ship design, construction, and testing. Numerous businesses and investors leading the industry were also based on Aldebaran. In 2224, the Olympic Games were held on Aldebaran III. Emony Dax participated in these Olympics and became a three-time latinum medal winner at gymnastics.

By the 2260s, Aldebaran was a major port-of-call for Starfleet starships. The USS Enterprise stopped at Aldebaran colony in 2265, taking aboard crew assignments, including Psychologist Elizabeth Dehner.

By the late 23rd century, Aldebaran had been a full-status colonial member of the Federation since 2216, and had a technological/sociopolitical index of 778998-76 and a planetary trade profile of BCBACBC/B(B), based on an industry-based economy.

After Arcturus IV, this colony is the second largest center of corporate holdings outside the original boundaries of the Federation.

In 2371, Starfleet authorities held Grand Nagus Zek's nephew Belongo there after a "misunderstanding." Quark asked Commander Benjamin Sisko to try to remedy the situation while Sisko was to visit Earth to report on the Dominion.

Planetary makeup
The Alpha Tauri system is a binary star with the second star orbiting the first at a distance of 97.5 billion kilometers, a vast trail of minerals and ice extend from the star much like a comet's tail which illuminate the Aldebaran night sky. Aldebaran has a wide range of plant lifeforms and wilderness, with a variety of food sources from plants and native animal life, including the Aldebaran shellmouth, a native species of mollusk noted for its characteristic tightly closed jaw. Most of the animal lifeforms are of a simple evolutionary track. As a popular vacation spot with extensive leave facilities, Aldebaran is noted for a wide variety of exotic food beverages including, among other things, its distinctive variety of green-colored whiskey.

Aldebaran has a total surface area of 575,000,000 square kilometers and, with 30% land mass and 70% of the surface covered by water oceans, a total land area of 172,500,000 square km. Aldebaran III has a gravity of 1.2g, a diameter of 15,500 km and an equatorial circumference of 49,000 kilometers. About 40% of Aldebaran's makeup is usable metals, and the planet has a 25% makeup of gemstones, 20% crystals, 10% radioactive materials, and also trace amounts exist of other special minerals. Aldebaran has a cool temperate climate, a Class M terrestrial atmosphere and a day's length of 27 hours.