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Beta Praxillus was a star in the Praxillus system. It went nova in 2367.

The USS Enterprise-D arrived at Beta Praxillus on stardate 44807.5 in order for Dr. Timicin of Kaelon II to conduct a helium fusion enhancement experiment to revitalize the star. Praxillus was chosen because it was so similar to the Kaelon sun. It was Timicin's hope that, if successful, the same process could be used to save the Kaelon sun.

Several modified photon torpedoes were launched at the sun that were directed at the stellar core meant to ignited there. At first, the experiment seemed to work and the sun's temperature was rising from 60 million to the desired 220 million Kelvin. Unfortunately, the temperature kept rising, and nuclear fusion in the star's core went out of control and the experiment failed, forcing the Enterprise-D to leave the system at warp two as Beta Praxillus went nova. (TNG: "Half a Life")

The name of the star was from the script. Furthermore, according to the script, Praxillus started out as a red giant, was turned into a yellow dwarf, and finally went nova, due to the failed experiment. Footage of Praxillus was later reused in "Redemption II" to represent another sun. [1]
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