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Tanaka Cluster

NGC 1502
Image from Steve Bowers

Open Cluster NGC 1502
2673 ly from Sol
52 stars

Hazard Rating 5.8

Located near the end of Kemble's Cascade. During the Central Alliance period a prosperous Middle Regions non-aligned assembly of worlds, having gained independence from the Solar Dominion in 7300. In 9545 the ruling archai of the Tanaka Cluster apparently decided to end its own existence, and killed all life and technology down to the viral/bit level in the stars under er control. Over a hundred planets remained, apparently untouched but lifeless.

All cities, towns and buildings remain on the surface of these worlds, subject to erosion by the elements but untouched by organic decay. Compared to other abandoned colonies the infrastructure on these worlds is crumbling at a slow but steady pace.

Although there have been some minor attempts at recolonization, mostly by thrill-seeker and novelty tour start-ups, the cluster remains for the most part empty. Rumours that a virulent trojan remains in the area ready to snare the unwary can safely be dismissed, although the tour entrepreneurs tend to play up the story for scare value.
 
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Development Notes
Text by Anders Sandberg, M. Alan Kazlev and Steve Bowers
Initially published on 09 January 2002.

 
 
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