Planet 4546B

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A part of Planet 4546B, seen from space

Planet 4546B is the moon on which the Aurora and the Degasi crash-landed, and is where the story of Subnautica takes place.

The Moon features a research outpost set up by the Precursor Race meant to study and is currently plagued by a bacterium called Carar. Carar is a highly infectious alien bacterium discovered by the Precursors.

Overview

Planet 4546B is completely covered in water, save for a few islands, and features a variety of submerged biomes. The Aurora is located a few meters above the surface, in relatively shallow water.

The moon features a full ecosystem of flora and fauna, as well as a skyline dominated by its planet and sister moon, one being very close, causing frequent solar eclipses. However, this ecosystem is only a very small area of the planet; located in a dormant volcanic crater, approximately 2km in diameter. The rest of the ocean is known as the Dead Zone, it is extremely deep and nearly devoid of life, supporting only microscopic life forms, and Ghost Leviathans. It is unknown whether any similar areas of life exist elsewhere on the planet.

Story

Around 1000 years ago, the Precursor Race arrived at Planet 4546B, setting the planet up as a research outpost in order to find a cure for Carar.

See Storyline for further information.

Data Bank Entry

4546B Environment Scan
Category 3 Ocean planet Oxygen/Nitrogen Atmosphere Extensive biodiversity Safety Warnings: May support leviathan class predators Water contaminated with high levels of foreign bacteria Planet is beyond federation space, rescue unlikely It is not recommended to explore this environment without hazardous material suits and extensive support apparatus.

 Gallery

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  A view of the ocean on the planet.

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  A view from under 4546B's large extending ocean

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  Planet 4546B's closer and larger moon.

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  The second moon of Planet 4546B.

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  Both of the moons at night.

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  A lunar eclipse

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  Another view of a solar eclipse.

Trivia

• Planet 4546B is most likely located in the Habitable Zone, a section in a solar system where life can thrive.
  • However, given the size of the sun seen during the loading screen, it is not possible for Planet 4546B to be within the Habitable Zone, but the ingame sun appears to be closer than in the loading screen. This is most likely a developer oversight, or purely artistic representation.
  • Another likely explanation is that the star 4546 is actually behind the viewer's perspective, out of the image.
• According to IAU convention, this planet would be the first planet discovered to orbit the star 4546 (the convention says nothing of orbital proximity).
• Planet 4546B may be based on the real-life planet Gliese 1214B, as both appear similar in appearance, and are both "water worlds". 
• Orbit and eclipse patterns, as well as the notation "B", could indicate that the planet is rather a megamoon, orbiting the nearby 4546[A] in an elliptical orbit.