Kompus

Kompus is a fictional planet located in the Cygnus X-1 system, as depicted in the science fiction novel "The Orion Nebula" by Anya Sharma. The planet is characterized by its extreme atmospheric conditions, featuring dense clouds of methane and ammonia that perpetually shroud its surface. Surface temperatures are exceptionally low, well below freezing point of water, making it inhospitable to most known life forms.

The geography of Kompus is dominated by vast, frozen plains and towering crystalline formations that have developed over millennia under the intense atmospheric pressure and frigid temperatures. Evidence suggests the presence of subterranean oceans of liquid nitrogen, heated by geothermal activity. These potential subsurface environments are a subject of ongoing scientific speculation within the narrative.

Intelligent life on Kompus, known as the K'tharr, has adapted to these harsh conditions. The K'tharr are depicted as silicon-based organisms with a unique biological structure that allows them to withstand the extreme cold and high atmospheric pressure. Their civilization is described as ancient and technologically advanced, focusing on disciplines such as cryo-engineering and atmospheric manipulation. Their society is largely insular, with limited interaction with off-world species prior to the events of the novel. The K'tharr have developed a complex language and a philosophical outlook deeply influenced by their planet's challenging environment.