Franklin - ESP 113

Franklin - ESP 113

Franklin is the only terrestrial planet currently orbiting a white dwarf seventy-five light years from Earth. The planet is an exciting find to planetary scientists as Franklin may be proof that terrestrial planets can harbor life well after their original parent star dies or flings the planet back into space. Scientists believe Franklin originated in another section of the galaxy, only to be captured by its current star when Franklin was ejected out of its original solar system. Preliminary scans indicate the silicate make up of Franklin does not contain the same ratios of isotopes found in the remaining bodies in the system.

While habitable, Franklin's average temperature keeps its from becoming a prime candidate for future colonization. It is covered in ice sheets and frequent, continental storms continually blanket the surface in snow. Scientists believe some inner heating mechanism is adding energy to Franklin's weather dynamics, as Franklin's current star does not provide enough energy to drive storms of Franklin's magnitude.

Despite its hostile weather, plant life thrives on Franklin in the form of conifer analogs, which form vast forests across much of the surface. Plant species have evolved new sap systems that produce internal heat that prevents the plants from freezing. When not covered in snow, enough sunlight hits Franklin to drive both photosynthesis and chemo-synthesis allowing plants to survive long storm periods with minerals extracted from the ground.

There is evidence to support the existence of predatory plant on plant behavior occurring on the surface. Orbiting research probes have tracked sections of forest that have disappeared only to be replaced by plants of a different species. Researchers are at odds as to whether trees on Franklin prey on one another or have developed a mechanism of self locomotion for migratory behavior.