Pistonsajan

Pistonsajan is a fictional planet featured in the science fiction novel "The Andromeda Strain" by Michael Crichton. The planet is described as being remarkably similar to Earth in terms of its atmosphere, gravity, and general appearance, though it is uninhabited by any advanced life forms. Its discovery by humanity is a pivotal event in the novel, as it is the source of a deadly extraterrestrial microorganism that threatens Earth.

The surface of Pistonsajan is depicted as being covered in a vast ocean with a few scattered islands. The planet's atmosphere is breathable, and its temperature range is conducive to life as humans know it. This Earth-like environment is a key element in the plot, as it allows for the initial contamination of the spacecraft that returns to Earth, carrying the organism. The planet itself does not play a significant role beyond being the origin point of the alien microbe. Its name is a simple descriptor, hinting at its mechanical or potentially artificial nature, though this aspect is not further explored within the narrative. The focus remains squarely on the organism and its impact on Earth, rather than the detailed exploration of Pistonsajan.