AT: "xx" Archer IV was a M-class planet in the 61 Ursae Majoris planetary system. This system, located relatively close to the Sol system, was in the Alpha Quadrant. Named for Earth Starfleet Captain Jonathan Archer, the planet was the first M-class, Earth-like world surveyed by the crew of the starship Enterprise in 2151.
Boasting a fertile landscape dominated by vast grasslands and snow-topped mountains, Archer IV was inhabited by a wide array of animal life, including nocturnal marsupials, scorpion-like arachnids, self-illuminating insects, and fish. The planet, however, supported no indigenous intelligent lifeforms upon its discovery.
The first Earth creature to set foot on the planet was Porthos, Captain Archer's dog, followed moments later by Archer himself.
Initial landing parties in 2151 experienced rapidly changing weather patterns and fast-moving storms. Such inclement weather spread toxic pollen, released by the diverse fauna and flora, causing in Human and Vulcan visitors paranoia and decreased cognitive function. With no refuge from the effects of the pollen, the planet was considered to be uninhabitable. (ENT: "Strange New World", "Home")
Archer IV remained uninhabitable throughout the 22nd century. In the early 2200s, however, an antidote for the pollen was discovered. By 2268, more than seven hundred million people populated the planet. (ENT: "In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II" production art)
In 2366, Archer IV was the destination of the Federation starship USS Enterprise-D following an investigation of a nearby radiation anomaly. (TNG: "Yesterday's Enterprise")
Archer IV appeared in the starchart Data and Picard were studying in Stellar Cartography in 2371. (Star Trek Generations, display graphic)
In an alternate timeline, Archer IV was the site of a battle in the Second Federation-Klingon War. The Enterprise-D engaged a series of Klingon warships, with the Enterprise emerging the victor. (TNG: "Yesterday's Enterprise")
Appendices
Background information
The Star Trek: Enterprise fourth season episode "In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II" revealed the connection between "Strange New World" and "Yesterday's Enterprise" through text in Jonathan Archer's personnel file. The original production artwork can be viewed at WrittenByMikeSussman.com and indicated that the planet orbited 61 Ursae Majoris.
The star chart seen in "Generations" depicted the location of planets, stars, and star systems in the Alpha Quadrant. Based on the dimensions of the circles used to mark locations on the star chart seen in "Generations", this planet was located relatively near to the USS Enterprise-D.
Prior to this connection being made, the Star Trek: Star Charts stated the planet to be Loracus Prime, which actually was a misinterpretation of a prop seen early in the episode "Strange New World". As a consequence, the star "Archer", which Archer IV supposedly orbited, was placed near Klingon territory several hundred light years away from Sol. (Pages 60 & 63)
Apocrypha
- The DS9 novel The 34th Rule states Archer IV is the source of a beverage called Archerian slug wine. (Coincidentally, a species of slug-like creatures can actually be seen in "Strange New World".)
External link
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