Atlantis Supernova
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| Atlantis Supernova SN2399ABX | |
| Information | |
| Class |
Supernova |
| Star system |
VOY-2374-4367 |
| Quadrant | |
| Template:Phenomenon | |
The Atlantis Supernova is a Type 1a supernova in the Delta Quadrant induced artificially by the USS Atlantis in 2399 in order to prevent the Borg Collective from gaining access to a subspace flexure that could have been used to form a stable wormhole and gain access to the Alpha Quadrant.
Background
In mid-2399 the USS Atlantis detected the formation of a subspace flexure in star system VOY-2374-4367, a star system only catalogued by the USS Voyager when it passed through on its way home. The star system was previously composed of an orange giant (O9II) and a sub-Chandrasekhar limit white dwarf (DO). However at the same time that the flexure was detected, Atlantis' sensors also detected a Borg vessel heading for the same system as well, likely drawn to the flexure and strategic possibilities it offered.
Being so young, theory offered the possibility that this was as yet a single expression flexure which could be influenced in its secondary expression and thereby possibly aimed, by as yet hereto unknown methods. With Borg interest, however, it was assumed they likely could influence the secondary expressions and possibly build a wormhole allowing for rapid access to other parts of the galaxy including the Alpha Quadrant. To this end, the Atlantis crew were ordered by Captain Theodoras to come up with some sort of method for destroying the flexure.
Using the Krek Technique, developed by Ensign Goresh Krek aboard ship, the USS Atlantis was able to induce a Type 1a supernova within the white dwarf, resulting in an explosion that destroyed the subspace flexure as well as a recently arrived Borg vessel.
The system's orange giant has survived the explosion but with a large amount of its atmosphere blown off. The luminosity of the system will need to dim before analysis can be conducted to reclassify the star in its new spectral class.
Krek Technique
The Krek Technique is the method developed by Ensign Goresh Krek to induce a supernova in the white dwarf element of VOY-2374-4367. Utilising gravimetric charges in the 80 isoton range, as well as the USS Atlantis' main deflector, electron degeneracy pressure was able to be overcome in local instances, resulting in a rapid chain reaction, followed by further gravitational collapse of the star and the start of the Type 1a supernova process.
At a minimum, the Krek Technique will require 4 large scale gravimetric charges, though refinement of this technique may allow for charges smaller than 80 isotons. Placement of the charges on the far side of the star from the participating starship is required, as is computer-assisted timing for the sequence of events.
Following the detonation of the charges an induced gravimetric wave will 'shake' the star. Timed correctly, an anti-graviton pulse from a starship can push back on the star, resulting in local overpressure events allowing for electron degeneracy pressures to be overcome. While this isn't taking place in the stellar core, it will rapidly create a gravitational incline within the star, pulling in more stellar matter and collapsing more matter across the ED limit.
As material collapses in on the new core, carbon fusion will initiate with the increase in gravitational pressure. With a large amount of energy suddenly being flash released, stellar detonation is inevitable. As with all Type 1a supernovas, no remnant core is left behind.
This technique only works with white dwarfs that are marginally off the Chandrasekhar limit naturally. As supernovas are a stellar level event, at this time no tactical or strategic benefit is seen from this technique as foes can simply ignore white swarf systems. This technique remains a stellar engineering curiosity and it is the opinion of the Federation Astronomical Committee that any further study or refinement remain purely simulation-based for now.
Classified : Omega-level, 06 and above only
WARNING! The following information is classified at Omega-level. Divulgence of the following information can and will result in severe penalties for all parties involved in such a breach.
All sensor readings and information regarding the subspace flexure detected in star system VOY-2374-4367 were artificially generated by Captain Theodoras in order to hide the detection of the Omega phenomena within the system. Unknown mechanisms were responsible for Omega molecule genesis and the last recorded total before stellar detonation was 37 molecules. Molecule generation had been increasing and projections from Atlantis' dataset indicate that in the order of thousands could have been generated within a month on an exponential curve.
Instabilities and the possibility of molecular detonation or collapse would have risen as well and likely resulted in subspace destruction for five thousand light-years, according to the latest simulation models.
Ordered to prevent the Borg from gaining access to the molecule by any means, Captain Theodoras set her crew the task of attempting to induce a supernova in order to destroy the Omega molecules as well as any Borg vessels that may have attempted to recover any molecules. At the time of detonation, a Borg vessel was indeed in the process of attempting to retrieve Omega molecules for the Collective.
Subsequent scans afterwards have shown no molecules in the system and no further spontaneous production.
This star system will remain a subject of interest to Starfleet Command until such time as spontaneous Omega molecule production can be ruled out to a σ of 10.