The planet Dirac is named for an ancient scientist who invented edible superconductors. He in turn was named for a yet more ancient scientist who developed quantum mechanics centuries before that. For every contemporary historian of science who knows this, there is another who thinks they were the same person, two further ones who suppose they were near contemporaries, and ten who have never heard of either. Sic transit gloria scientiae.

Physical Planetography

Dirac is a terrestrial planet, slightly larger than earth but lower in density and poorer in metals, which would be uninhabitably cold if not for the greenhouse effect. It has a largish asteroidal moon and three smaller ones which are not readily apparent to the naked eye. The planet possesses a ring system that is visible under favorable lighting and atmospheric conditions.

The planet is rather flat and geologically inactive, with rare volcanism and minimal but extant tectonic activity. Erosion of largely ancient terrain is predominantly aeolian in character.

The atmosphere is too poor in oxygen to sustain humans, but is not toxic and is usable by genetically-modified plant life. The atmosphere is thinner than Earth's, but baseline humans can habituate to it. (Supplemental oxygen, but not pressure suits, are required for survival.) The planet is quite arid and what rain falls is usually noticeably acidic. Surface water is acidic and hypersaline. The planet is tectonically active, but less so than Earth. Large regions have been enclosed in positive-pressure transparent plastic domes for inhabitation.

Culture and History

Dirac has a complex history with the Allied Worlds, and was hostile toward them for a substantial period of time in recent history, following a civil war. Recently, another planetary conflict changed the situation, and the newly-formed and Alliance-backed Union of Dirac, a supranational union of the three major nations of Dirac, represents the planet and its colonies as a member state of the Allied Worlds.

The major nations are the Empire of Dirac (Northern), the Empire of Dirac (Southern), and the Transmorgane Republic. The Empires are mid-authoritarian states with rule of law, but limited democracy. The Transmorgane Republic is a democratic republic with modest holdings on the planet itself and control of various stations and colonies in the system.

Most inhabitants are humans.

Inhabitants of the planet take considerable pride in their destruction of Reynard's Free Station, which is depicted on the flag of the Empire of Dirac. Salvaged station components are still in orbit in the Guo's Star system.

Economy

Dirac is self-sufficient with an advanced economy and extensive use of space resources. A space fountain is under construction. Interstellar trade is limited by rapidly expanding; it is currently focused on exotic goods.