Merios

Merios is a fictional planet located in the fictional Andromeda Galaxy. It is known for its unique geological formations and diverse, albeit sparse, ecosystem. The planet's surface is characterized by vast crystalline deserts and towering, naturally occurring obsidian spires that reach miles into the atmosphere. These spires are believed to be the result of ancient volcanic activity interacting with the planet's unusual atmospheric composition.

The climate of Merios is extreme, with significant temperature fluctuations between day and night. Days are intensely hot due to the proximity of its binary star system, while nights plunge into deep freezes. Despite these harsh conditions, life has adapted. Small, silicon-based organisms can be found thriving in subsurface caverns, drawing sustenance from geothermal vents. Larger, more complex lifeforms are rare and typically nocturnal, with thick exoskeletons providing protection from the elements.

Merios has no known indigenous sentient population. However, its mineral wealth, particularly rare isotopes found within the obsidian spires, has attracted the attention of various interstellar mining corporations. Exploration efforts have been ongoing for decades, though the planet's extreme environment and the hazardous nature of its resources have made large-scale extraction challenging and costly. Research stations are periodically established to study the planet's unique geology and the potential for extremophile life.