Creating

The year is 2057 and humans have used up all of Earths natural resources. Global warming is
threatening humanity and because of this the Government has chosen 30 of their best astronauts
and sent you into outer space. Each of you has come back having discovered a new world. You
must now write a report on the world that you have discovered you must also create a model of
an alien species that you discovered on the world and how the alien species fits into the new
world.
Charybdis, the New World.
By Tiana Dahl
22/9/2057
Four months ago 30 astronauts was sent into space to try and find a new world to live on as
Earth is slowly being destroyed. About two months into the journey the space ship found a
new world. This report will answer any questions that have been asked about the world.
First will be where the world is placed in the solar system, then the main features of the
world, what type of world it is and information on the model that has been provided.
Where is Charybdis
Charybdis is placed on the edge of the Goldilocks Zone; this zone is the space in which a
world needs to reside to be habitable. This means it must not be too close to the Sun which
would make it too hot nor should it be too far from the Sun which would make it too cold; it
must be just right (Our Solar System, 2011). The Goldilocks Zone includes Earth and Mars,
both planets are right at the edge of the zone (Our Solar System, 2011). Charybdis is placed
in-between Mars and Earth but is slightly closer to Mars. Charybdis is 38.34 million km from
Earth at its closest point. A diagram has been done to show the path that Charybdis takes
when it orbits compared to the orbits of both Earth and Mars. Charybdis orbit means that it
does suffer cold but short winters when it is furthest from the Sun. The orbit also means
that from Charybdis, Earth and Mars are easily seen.
Background picture taken from Cain, 2013
What type of world is Charybdis
Charybdis is a terrestrial planet. Like the four other terrestrial planets which are, Earth,
Venus, Mars and Mercury this means that it has a hard crust. Charybdis could also be known
as a water planet as 78% of it is covered in water (Cain, 2013 ). This is where the name of
the planet comes from. Like most of the planets names, Charybdis is from Greek mythology
(Pegg, 2013). The Charybdis was a sea monster that lived in the water and it would suck in
water and then spit it back out which would then create whirlpools (Pegg, 2013). Charybdis
is covered in water and has at least four naturally accruing whirlpools, as such this name
seemed to fit.
The main features of Charybdis.
Charybdis is like Venus in that it rotates counter-clockwise, this means that the Sun rises on
the west and sets in the east (Venus Facts). However unlike Venus, Charybdis rotates at a
fast rate there are 30 Earth hours in a day on Charybdis. By rotating faster than Venus,
Charybdis has a magnetic field holdsing the atmosphere in place which keeps the Sun from
evaporating all of the water that is on the planet (Welcome to Earth). Charybdis has a higher
Charybdis
Orbit
rate of water to land mass then Earth does. Charybdis is 79% covered in water, with flat
grass lands that lead up onto high rocky hills. Charybdis is only 4% smaller then Earth but
because its density is quite a bit lighter then Earths the gravitational pull on the planets
surface is a bit lower then Earths; it is slightly lower than even Venuses (Cessna, 2009).
Gravity is measured by meter pr. square second. Earths surface gravity is 9.798 while
Venuss surface gravity is 8.87 (Surface Gravity of the Planets and the Sun). The gravity on
Charybdis is 7.99.
Charybdis has a year that lasts 310 Earth days; this makes its years quicker than that of
Earth. One of the most important things that Charybdis holds, which is what will allow life
to survive on it, is not just water and a atmosphere but also the fact that it is recycling.
Recycling is where the tectonic plates that are on the surface of a planet are constantly
moving. This means that the world must have its shell broken up into plates (Choi, 2012).
The reason that this is so important is that carbon dioxide helps to trap heat from the Sun
which keeps the planet warm.
Normally this carbon dioxide gets stuck in rocks (Choi, 2012). If the gas stayed there
eventually the planet would cool and everything would die, but by the plates moving and
allowing rocks to fall below the crusts surface it is allowing them to melt which releases the
gas in ways such as volcanoes, geysers and steam (Choi, 2012). Basically the planet is
recycling its carbon dioxide.
Charybdis carries water, atmosphere and recycles, but the best part is that there is no doubt
that it can hold life as it already does.
The model
One of the most fascinating things about Charybdis was the abundance of wild life and the
model that was made was actually based off of one of the birds that lived on the planet.
These birds have evolved to perfectly fit in with this planet. They are quite large and on
Earth they would be unable to fly as they would be too heavy but because of the lower
gravity on Charybdis their large wings are able to help them hover above the water and
land.
They have strong legs with one large talon that digs into the rocks that cover the hills that
they live on. They have a large tail which helps them to steer while they are flying. They are
coloured black which helps them to absorb heat from the Sun when the world is at its
coldest when it is furthest from the Sun.
By gliding instead of flying the bird can conserve energy as it can be miles and miles before
it can find any dry land to rest upon when hunting. The large eyes help it to see through the
water so that it can pick its prey, they also allow for it to see further away.
The bright coloured dots seem to be to help attract females, the model is of a male as that is
all we saw. The animals have been called Reevers, for the terrifying scream that they let out
just before they dive bomb their pray.








Finding a planet with animals means that the planet is able to not just hold but withstand life for
long periods at a time. Though much more research needs to be done Charybdis is a good start in
the search for a new home.