ENCYCLOPEDIA GALACTICA Edition 428193 - Earth English Definition: 'Teressëa' A Language English1 term representing a heavily colonized planetary body in close proximity to a civilization's birth world. Accessible through level two (2) space travel technology,2 colonization begins early into a civilization's space flight era. Initial utilization is limited to basic scientific inquiry and the staging of extended space expeditions. Once a technological presence is established, exploitation of local resources is simplified promoting increased membership presence. Over several generations the surface and sub-surface is developed into habitability by the introduction of life supporting superstructures followed by progressive planetary engineering3. A teressëa body is often the largest natural satellite orbiting an inhabited planet. Wrongfully classified as 'planetoids', they have no connection to bodies created by Civilization Gardener.4 Planets which give rise to a technical civilization are orbited by a large natural satellite or twin planet. The nurturing of a biosphere to the level of civilization requires long term stability and reliable energy distribution. The gravitational influence of such a moon provides two key benefits. Deflection of meteors whose impact could disrupt the biosphere and set back evolutionary development through mass extinction. Creation of a planetary surface rhythm, such as tides, which moves energy and material around the planet.5 Civilizations Sagittarius White and Phoenix Orange are the only known exceptions to this trend. As such, most civilizations develop a teressëa as a natural consequence of their space flight era. An arch example of teressëa is the primary satellite of Civilization Ara (EGO 0601-00000000112). Colonization began within the first generation of space flight, initially through a technological presence, then living members by the second generation. After fifty-one (51) generations of their kind, the barren moon was transformed into a sister biosphere of their birth world (EGO 0601-00000000109). Ara was more greatly driven to expand their environment as the planet's surface has no large habitable land masses and is covered by a band of forty-seven (47) mini-continents.6 Without expansion, population growth would become a threat to social cohesion even within their carefully managed, dichotomous societies.7 Ara now employs planetary engineering skills on suitable bodies within their sphere of influence.8 Civilization Ara is regarded as second only to Civilization Gardener in such accomplishments. The word 'teressëa' is a contraction of the fictional place name 'Tol Eressëa'. In the mythology of 'The Silmarillian'9 by 20th century author J.R.R. Tolkien,10 Tol Eressëa is an island haven for the elvish Teleri peoples. This land mass, originally part of the eastern continent Middle Earth, was transported west by the godlike Ainur to within sight of Valinor - home of the Ainur. Later both Tol Eressëa and Valinor were removed from the 'circles of the world' and reachable only through the 'straight path' to the heavens. In the fictional Teleri language Tol Eressëa means 'Lonely Island'. Notes: EGO: Encyclopedia Galactica Object See references: 1Civilization Humanity: Linguistic Types 2Space Flight Technologies: Classifications 3Definition: 'Planetary Engineering' 4Civilization Gardener: History, Unique Technological Adaptations 5Not as requisite for Electromotive Ecologies 6Civilization Ara: Birth World Atlas 7Civilization Ara: History, Social Order 8 Definition: 'Sphere of Influence' 9Civilization Humanity: Literature 10Civilization Humanity: Members of Note