ENCYCLOPEDIA GALACTICA Edition 428193 - Earth English Definition: 'Nanoworld' A Language English1 term for a rare class of spheroid found deep in the atmospheres of hyper-giant planets2. The name is derived from the average volume of such objects: one billionth that of a terrestrial sized planet or 10km to 20km diameter. These objects are remarkable because in spite of their scale and exotic environment, they have planet-like characteristics: gravity as high as 0.4 Earths, surface biomass, shallow seas and, in some cases, biospheres. They are called nano-worlds and not nano-planets because these spheroids are components of a larger planetary body and they do not gravitationally dominate their own region of space.3 Nanoworlds are natural formations and have no connection to planetoids constructed by Civilization Gardener.4 The creation of nanoworlds is attributed to a phenomena called 'bubble gravity'5. Spheroid membranes of gravitational force thrown out of volatile gravity wells ('sic aiunt') such as a hyper-giant planet, purple dwarf or star. These detached gravitational fields orbit their gravity well in the same fashion as a planet or moon but have no detectable matter. Their gravity is attributed to a phenomena called 'displaced mass'6 wherein the bubble's mass is still maintained within the central gravity well ('sic aiunt'). The less stable ball lighting7 is often offered as the electromagnetic equivalent of this phenomena. Over time, bubbles orbiting within the atmosphere of a planet collect material on their boundaries. This occurs due to condensation of clouds that come into contact with a gravity bubble and material becomes trapped on the membrane. Carbon and sulfur compounds, water and some chemically bound silicates and heavier elements are deposited. Exact proportions are dependent upon the chemical make up of the planet's atmosphere. Eventually this material forms a stratified surface shell around the gravity bubble of the order of 20m to 50m thick. On this surface, all the requisite components for life may be available. Nanoworlds do not necessarily develop a biosphere. However, if the planet is close enough to its central star there will be sufficient warmth and energy for a biosphere to be maintained. Close stellar proximity will also add energy to the dynamics of the planet's atmosphere keeping needed elements in suspension. And if a biosphere arises then most the nanoworlds for a particular planet will develop biospheres. This is a owing to a shared environment including an atmosphere and the allowance of biomatter transference due to turbulence or collision. Nanoworld lifeforms have also evolved transference techniques of their own.8 The appearance of a nanoworld suggests an up-down orientation: a designated 'up side' and 'down side'. This perspective is misleading. Objects are attracted to the surface of a nanoworld regardless of location relative to its planet. However, the tidal effect of the planet's gravity forces liquids to collect on the 'down side'. Land masses forming on the 'up side' of a nanoworld. Given their size and environment, nanoworlds are very difficult to detect, let alone explore. Civilizations of the Community9 have collectively detected only 22981 planets with nanoworlds, of which 5032 have nanoworlds with bioshperes. See references: 1Civilization Humanity: Linguistic Types 2Civilization Humanity: Scientific Standards 3Definition: 'Planet' 4Civilization Gardener: Unique Technological Adaptations 5Definition: 'Bubble Gravity' 6Definition: 'Displaced Mass' 7Definition: 'Ball Lightning' 8Reproductive Mechanisms Within Exotic Environments: Nanoworlds 9Definition: 'The Community'