Temperatures at the cloud Jops, however, never exceed 57 Kelvin. At this temperature die only atmospheric components that can exist in the gaseous state are hydrogen, helium, and monopflaspnerine. The latter molecular specie is responsible for the soft pink appearance of Yen. From a distance, Yen presents a very pleasant, tranquil appearance. However, upon closer scrutiny Yen is found to be a most inhospitable planet. Crushing atmospheric pressure coupled with sub Kelvin temperatures preclude the existence of organic life. An extraordinary feature not observed elsewhere in the planetary system is the complete absence of organic molecules. Extensive laboratory studies by Krai, et al. (15188), showed that monophospherine has strong catalytic properties that can distort and eventually break down the covalent bonds of organic molecules. The resulting carbon, nitrogen, zeon, and other residue lie kilometers deep on the liquid nitrogen surface of Yen. Almost a star, Yen radiates strongly in the very far infrared and millimeter regions,of the electromagnetic spectrum. The emitted radiation is not uniformly distributed over the planet, but is observed to be emitted from discrete regions. The radiation emanates from three localized areas, one in the subpernal zone, and two in the upper mid-temperate band. The emissions from these active regions are periodic with each region having a different, but constant, period. Periods range from 790 microseconds to 12 milliseconds. Unfortunately, all attempts to locate these discrete sources with remote sensing probes have been unsuccessful. While speculation abounds, no reasonable explanation for the natural occurrence of such phenomena has been established. Most Arrakian scientists felt that these radiating sources were placed deep within the body ot the planet by intelligent beings in the remote past-perhaps to provide a navigational guide beacon for deep space vehicles. Revona. Orbiting at a distance of 7.7 x 109 km is Revona. The planet is so remote that Canopus appears as just a very bright first-magnitude star. Revona has a radius of 2,225 km and occupies a unique pkce in the Canopus system. The planet is composed entirely of helium existing in different phase states. A dense atmosphere of atomic helium covers the planet to a depth of 70,000 meters. Temperatures in this layer vary from 11K at the upper helium boundary to 4.2K at the quasi liquid surface. It was the discovery of this interface by Daret in 14390 that stunned the members ARRAKIS ATMOSPHERE 23 ARRAKIS ATMOSPHERE of the Planetoscience Council on Arrakis Just beneath this interface, the pressure is sufficient to alter the phase state of helium from gaseous to liquid The result of this phase-state change ts a pale blue sea of liquid helium forming just below the interface At a depth of 3,900 meters, the liquid temperature reaches 2 6K and the helium abruptly changes to the zero-viscosity heh urn 3 This abrupt change occurs as the liquid helium passes through the tri-alpha transition This transition is only a few meters thick and is characterized by high dynamic turbulence Hypo-seismic studies have shown that Revona possesses a solid central core the composition of which is not* known Most planetologists agree that the most plausible core material is helium existing in the supra metallic state Revona is not alone in its remote position It shares space with one satellite, Laran Laran is 553 km in radius and orbits Revona at a mean distance of 37,000 km Laran's composition is strikingly dissimilar to Revona The satellite has no atmosphere and has a solid crust and interior of carbonaceous material Permanently stationed geoseismic monitors have recorded no internal activity, only occasional meteontic bombardment This data, together with the satellite's composition, suggest that Laran is a captured body and has an age measurable in eons Laran serves two very useful functions that of being the most remote outpost in die system, and of being toe site of the Revonan helium conversion facility This facility pro vides the liquid helium.