| Theta 116 VIII | |
| Primary: | Theta 116 |
| Type: | Class K Transjovian |
| Mass: | 4.35×1012 kg |
| Mean Surface Temperature: | –291 °F –179 °C |
| Rotational Period: | 15.3 hours |
| Orbital Period: | 832 solar days |
| Estimate Age: | 7.2×1012 solar years |
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Theta VIII is the eighth planet of the Theta 116 solar system. A K-class transjovian planet, the atmosphere of Theta 116 VIII is composed of nitrogen (57%), methane (23%), and liquid neon (14%). The average surface temperature is –291°, with wind speeds of up to 320 m/s. Interesting weather phenomena include ammonia tornadoes.
- In the show's dialog, La Forge said "negative 291 degrees Celsius", which being below absolute zero, is impossible. In the script, it specified a temperature of –291 °F (about –179 °C).
In the 21st century, the NASA spacecraft Charybdis was transported here by an unknown intelligence which had inadvertently killed all but one of its crew, Colonel Stephen G. Richey. The intelligence attempted to create an environment for him where he could live, in the form of a small pocket of Earth-like atmosphere on the surface. In it was the entryway to a replica of the namesake hotel from the novel Hotel Royale carried by Richey. Richey lived in Room 727 of the hotel until he died in his sleep in 2082.
The hotel was located on a plane of frozen methane with the dimensions of 5.02 × 7.9 km, in the middle of a tremendous storm belt, described as like being in the "eye of a hurricane." The Hotel itself had the following dimensions: 127 × 53 × 244 meters.
Remains of the Charybdis were later detected by a Klingon cruiser in 2365. The USS Enterprise-D subsequently investigated the planet and discovered Richey's fate. (TNG: "The Royale")