ENCYCLOPEDIA GALACTICA Edition 428193 - Earth English Definition: 'Elysian Pillars' A Language English1 expression pertaining to a form of memorial site found throughout the former sphere of influence2 for Civilization Centaurus. These sites were constructed by the Centaurus membership to commemorate their species prior to its extinction.3 Each site is composed of several million (106) individual columns. Each column or pillar is considered to represent a single Centaurus member from the last eleven (11) generations of their kind.4 Such memorials are also known as 'Elysian fields' or 'Elysian waystones' or by similar linguistic translations. The pillars are found occupying barren regions of selected planets in city sized clusters. These planets had/have characteristics similar to Planet Centaurus (EGO 0655-00000000001) prior to the extinction event. Such bodies orbit bluish-white dwarf stars (class A5 through A8)5 within the temperate zone for liquid water. These bodies also had/have solid surfaces and substantial, clear, predominately nitrogen atmospheres – average surface pressure ranging from 94.1 to 108.2 kPa. There are known to be one hundred and four (104) such planets along the Scutum-Centaurus spiral arm each bearing three (3) to as many as nine (9) monument sites. The most remote is 3153 light years6 from Planet Centaurus on EGO 0655-01051389020. Elysian pillars are made of perfectly crystallized artificial diamond. Diamond which has been molecularly programmed to maintain lattice and placement integrity. Each pillar's dimensions are consistent with the proportions of the member for which that pillar represents.7 Each pillar is apparently placed randomly within a memorial site with no consideration for social and genetic ordering. And each pillar is considered to bear a contact steganographic “rendering” authored by the member in question - sic aiunt.8 From a metaphorical perspective, Elysian pillars acquire their name as a consequence of these supposed “renderings”. The word 'Elysian' is the adjective form of the place name Elysium. Elysium is, ”the eternal resting place for virtuous spirits” within the mythology of the Ancient Greek peoples.9 Civilization Centaurus is commonly referred to as 'Civilization Elysium' because of these monuments. Though that naming is not an official IAU designation.10 Also, the Elysian pillars are not universally regarded as an ethical endeavour by other members of the Community.11 At the time of construction, all host planets had or had the potential for biospheres of their own. The importation of vast numbers of alien artifacts can disrupt or curve local natural selection. That considered, the pillars are known to have influenced evolution in only one case. On EGO 0655-00045838450 floating membranal nano-ecologies are observed to congregate around the Elysian pillars on a seasonal basis.12 The cause of this phenomena is not as yet understood. Notes: EGO: Encyclopedia Galactica Object See references: 1Civilization Humanity: Linguistic Types 2Definition: 'Sphere Of Influence' 3Event: Extinction Of Civilization Centaurus 4Participation level is considered to be 8% overall. 5Civilization Humanity: Classification Conventions For Astronomical Objects 6Civilization Humanity: Scientific Standards 7Members of Civilization Centaurus were not physically uniform. 8Definition: 'Contact Steganography' 9Civilization Humanity: Mythology and Religion 10Civilization Humanity: International Astronomical Union 11Definition: 'The Ethic Of The Community' 12Definition: 'Nano-Ecology'