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Kryptona; Life, seeing in X-Ray
Topic Started: Feb 24 2010, 06:51 PM (1,411 Views)
Pando
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This is my first exobiology project, but here it goes...

Life on this planet sees X-Ray (just something I've been thinking of recently). The planets inhabitants are quadrupeds with no jaws. Their bodies are also red so that UV isn't reflected but received for some extra energy (something like photosynthesis), and are covered in soft, flexible armor to protect against the X-Rays, endoskeleton, plus that's what allows them to see each other. They have no jaws, but the mouth area is closed and armored, with an open-able hole that can release it's proboscis to eat. The creatures can hear, see in X-Ray, smell, and feel, but can't taste as they have no tongue.

The planet has a similar atmosphere, gravity, size, and temperature to Earth. Because of that, humans only need a radiation suit to go in it, but no oxygen tanks.

I've got only 1 creature for it, and it's an order of bipedal predators with jointless finger-like claws and 2-4 jointed extendable claws on its head to kill. They also have 3 big spikes at the base of the head and small spikes running all along their "spines". They can go from 1 feet long to 30 feet long and be omnivores or carnivores. They are the apex predators on the planet.

There is a sentient species on the planet. It is one of those X-Racian theropods, 5 feet tall and 8 feet long, and omnivores. They have 3 digit-claws (one is a thumb) and 4 head claws (one at each corner). At the time humans discovered it, they had similar technology to today (which means no TV, Computers, or Light Bulbs as they would take more energy to emit X-Rays).

Also due to fact that they can survive X-rays means that any nearby gamma ray burst would be like a UV ray burst on Earth, would case a KT-like mass extinction but not reset life back to bacteria.

Is this planet plausible?
Edited by Pando, Feb 24 2010, 11:29 PM.
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Well...ironically, I think the only implausible aspect is the use of X-rays as a form of perception. See, X-rays are actually a form of radiation, something like light; however, if creatures were able to absorb X-ray radiation through some kind of perception organ, that might be plausible (though that'd make Xraycia's sun a white dwarf star).
Otherwise, interesting notion.
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I know what electromagnetic radiation is. The creatures here are carbon based, and to avoid eye damage they would probably have to be photoreceptors (only 2, like on Earth though). Also, our Sun emits ultraviolet, so it would not have to be as big as a white dwarf probably, I think that a yellow giant can emit X-ray radiation.

If they were silicon based, they probably wouldn't need the exoarmor, but I want them to be carbon based
Edited by Pando, Feb 24 2010, 09:11 PM.
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If the sun emits ultraviolet, why would the creatures percieve X-rays? Can they only see these wavelengths alone, or is this in addition to normal sight?
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I said OUR sun emits ultraviolet, their sun emits mostly X-ray and only a little ultraviolet, so the X-ray sight was more useful than ultraviolet
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If that's the case, then I'd suppose the sun would either be a red giant or a white dwarf. After all, the sorts of rays that stars give off isn't individual.
So they see everything in X-rays? I'd suppose that nothing on this planet is an invertebrate, or lacking in hard parts, then.
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The armor is very light and flexible, it's just used to reflect X-Rays. So things can fly, but nothing the size of the bigger pterosaurs or using rapid beating for flight, the flight will have to be bat-like.

Also, creatures of the deep oceans and creatures that spend their entire life underground probably won't have or have decreased armor.

The armor is also nervously attached to the flesh as it collects UV rays for extra energy.

Plus the only difference in the atmosphere is that there is no ozone, no electromagnetic radiation gets filtered off by the atmosphere.

Invertebrates will exist too, just that they will all have an exoskeleton.
Edited by Pando, Feb 24 2010, 10:22 PM.
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If anyone can think of a new name, it would be helpful.
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How about Kryptonan?
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How would "frequency 300PHz" be for a good name? Its around the frequency of soft X-Rays, which these animals see in
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I don't know. Sounds too technical for the name of a planet. Most planets are named after things in some mythology, or some other thing.
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Well, I'll switch the name to that until a better name is chosen
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You sure on "Kryptona"? Krypton was also a planet where everything had X-ray vision.
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OK, it's changing to Kryptona
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I've though of a flying creature. It is pterosaur-like and the wings are arms sheathed in armor and the armor makes up the wing.
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