Visalayan

Visalayan (also known as Xi Hydrae IV and Medusa) was a planet located in the Beta Quadrant, the fourth planet in the Xi Hydrae binary star system located on the anti-spinward edge of Romulan space. Visalayan was homeworld to a Federation associate member civilization, the Medusans. (ST reference: The Worlds of the Federation)

Astrometrics

Visalayan orbits Xi Hydrae (also known as 19 Crateris and 288 G Hydrae) and was visible from Earth in the Hydra constellation. Xi Hydrae's binary system was composed of a brilliant white star and a yellow dwarf companion and supported eight planets, none of which was capable of supporting carbon-based life. Only the fourth was inhabited by Medusans, a noncorporeal race. Surveyed only by unmanned probes, Visalayan was a typical Class-Y world with a dense, toxic, highly corrosive atmosphere, with a surface temperature that exceeded 500 K, and periodic thermionic radiation discharges.

History

At a distant point in their history, the Medusans were known to have been a corporeal Humanoid species until they reached a point where they evolved beyond their physical form. This current appearance/form of the species was achieved approximately 600,000 years ago.

Around 150,000 years ago, the Medusans were known to have engaged in space exploration. Contact with later era Humanoid races led to such species suffering from severe psychological damage or even permanent brain damage as well as madness. Thus, to avoid accidental exposure, the Medusans seldom left their home system, and even when they did it was under the strictest of conditions.

In 2268, the USS Enterprise conveyed the Medusans' ambassador to the Federation, Kollos, along with Miranda Jones, to a rendezvous with a Medusan vessel following an unspecified diplomatic mission, and a short diversion through the galactic barrier. Jones had originally intended to mind-link with Kollos once the two had reached the Medusan vessel, which was bound for the Medusan homeworld; however, circumstances forced the link to be established aboard the Enterprise.

In the 24th century Galaxy-class starships possessed an Interactive Navigational Control System for use by Medusan Specialists who were stationed on the ship. Several Medusan navigators once visited Deep Space 9, where they were entertained at Quark's.