Likais

Likais is a fictional planet featured in the science fiction novel "The Martian Chronicles" by Ray Bradbury. The planet is introduced as a destination for human colonists seeking to escape a dying Earth. In Bradbury's narrative, Mars, or "Likais" as it is often referred to, is a world with a fading civilization and a haunting beauty.

The early expeditions to Likais are marked by both wonder and tragedy. Human astronauts encounter the native Martians, an ancient and telepathic race who are slowly succumbing to a pervasive melancholy, leading to their eventual demise. The Martians are depicted as ethereal beings, deeply connected to their planet and its history. As humans explore Likais, they discover remnants of Martian culture and technology, often imbued with a sense of loss and finality.

The colonization of Likais is fraught with challenges. Many human settlers die from Martian diseases against which they have no immunity, and others are driven mad by the psychic influence of the dying Martian race. The planet itself is described as having thin air, red dust, and strange, crystalline cities. The narrative explores themes of colonialism, cultural misunderstanding, and the human yearning for new beginnings, juxtaposed with the inevitable end of civilizations. Likais serves as a poignant backdrop for these explorations, representing both a potential new home and a cautionary tale.