One of the first Clusters discovered by humanity, Apollo Alpha is a rich Cluster that, but it only holds a single, marginal Garden World. The Cluster has gained a population of over a million people, but in recent years colonization has slowed, the less vibrant worlds of the Cluster seeming unappealing compared to the worlds of Exodus, Seraph, Ginnungagap, and others. In fact, it is expected that the number passing through the Cluster to reach those connected to Zeus Beta will soon rise beyond the number settling in Apollo Alpha.
The Cluster holds a number of prothean ruins, especially on Oasis, where the prothean population is estimated to have reached several million. These ruins are in rather poor condition, being heavily damaged and worn away in the milenia since anyone called them home.
The Cluster has Primary Relay connection to the Arcturus Stream and Zeus Beta, both Relay Hubs. Due to this, Apollo Alpha is expected to see high levels of traffic as the Clusters connected to Zeus Beta begin to be developed.
Each system in Apollo Alpha is named after a lover (voluntary or not) of the Greek god Apollo, which the Cluster is named after.
DAPHNE:
Stars: 2 (F5, M9)
Planets: 6 ( 4 terrestrial, 2 gaseous)
Asteroid Belts: 2
Population: 724,000
Description: The center of the Apollo Alpha, and holder of its Mass Relays, the Daphne System holds over two thirds of the Cluster's population, and its only Garden World, Oasis. A large number of mining interests can be found across the system, holding almost a third of its population. A small Brown Dwarf called Laurel exists far into the system's outer reaches, surrounded by its own planet and an asteroid belt.
Willow: A small rocky world a third the size of Earth, Willow is slightly farther away from Daphne than Mercury is from Sol, but the large size of Daphne leads to Willow actually being more inhospitable than Mercury. It is covered with a large number of mining operations and solar collection arrays.
Acacia: A large world five times larger than Earth, Acacia has a thick atmosphere of carbon dioxide and methane, creating an extremely hot environment. Nonetheless, many mining operations can be found on Acacia and its 23 moons.
Oasis: The only Garden World found within the Cluster, Oasis is a sandy and mostly barren world, dotted with oases that are habitable for humans. The deserts of Oasis are filled with valuable materials and have unusual amounts of eezo within them. The planet holds a population of over 480 thousand, but its population growth has slowed in recent years. The ecosystem of Oasis has a high amount of biodiversity, with it being a common joke that each Oasis is like another world. This has led to a large amount of biologist attention for the world. A few prothean ruins have been found within Oases across the planet and within the deserts, with some settlements being built within the ruins of the prothean colonies.
Oasis-Oak Belt: An asteroid belt between Oasis and Oak, the belt is a common mining location, with several mining operations existing within it. The Free Worlds Confederation is an independent government that has existed on a number of small colonies within the belt since 2154, with a total population of nearing 12 thousand.
Oak: A large gas giant about half the size of Jupitter, Oak has a rather energetic magnetic field, one oddly large for its size. This makes it a popular discharge point for the system, helped by the two Mass Relays orbiting the world, the only ones within the Cluster. The moons of Oak hold several mining operations, and it holds gas extraction operations within its atmosphere, in spite of the existence of the much smaller Ash. Several prothean mining operations have been found on the moons of Oak, with a mostly operational Barge being found at one of these operations.
Ash: A small gas giant about half the size and Saturn, Ash's surface is dominated by a massive storm. While the storm is smaller than the one found on Jupiter, it is disproportionately large for the smaller gas giant, being nearly 10 thousand kilometers wide. The storm makes gas extraction operations within Ash's atmosphere difficult, making it more profitable to extract the vital Helium-3 from the larger Oak, leaving Ash mostly abandoned.
Laurel-Mahogany Belt: An asteroid belt between the Brown Dwarf Laurel and the planet Mahogany, the belt holds many rocky and icy bodies ranging in size from specks of dust to worlds as large as Luna. It is heavily mined, and a small number of colonies exist on the larger objects.
Mahogany: An icy world twice the mass of Earth, Mahogany is mostly made of ice, with a metallic core existing deep within the world. Several ice cracking operations exist on the world, and a few small communities call Mahogany home.
CASSANDRA:
Stars: 1 (A8)
Planets: 2 ( 2 gaseous)
Asteroid Belts: 1
Population: 304,000
Description: A relatively young system, Cassandra lacks any terrestrial worlds, but holds a relatively high metallicity. The system is rather prosperous, with many mining operations and ships within it. The system is also a center of piracy, with the Alliance in constant conflict trying to stop these pirates.
Paris: A large gas giant two thirds the size of Jupiter, Paris resides far too close to Cassandra to have formed there. It is believed that Paris migrated from the outer system a long time ago. A large number of mining operations exist on the moons of Paris, with some even holding colonies.
Trojan Gap: A massive asteroid belt with many times the mass of the Sol belt, the Trojan Gap is home to dozens of dwarf planets, and nearly endless numbers of asteroids, spread across several AU unlike the relatively thin Sol belt. The Gap holds many mining operations, and is filled with pirate hideouts, serving as bastions for the large (for the relatively undeveloped human systems) pirate presence. A decent number of former prothean mining bases can be found across the Gap, and commonly serve as bases for pirates.
Hector: A massive gas giant eight times larger than Jupiter, Hector hosts many mining operations and a number of colonies, mostly on its rather habitable moon of Astyanax, which holds a respectable population of over 150 thousand people. The massive magnetic field of Hector makes it the main discharge point for the system. Prothean ruins can be found across several of Hector's moons, some in rather good condition for their age.
Hyacinthus:
Stars: 1 (M4)
Planets: 2 ( 1 terrestrial, 1 gaseous)
Asteroid Belts: 1
Population: 15,600
Description: A modest system, Hyacinthus is only of note due to it holding the youngest prothean ruins known to humanity. Appearing to be a colony, the ruins on the system's first world, Zephyr, are relatively modest compared to those found in other areas. However, they are over a century younger than the next youngest ruins. This made Hyacinthus a location of archaeological significance, leading to a significant research presence in the system. In 2156, a modest colonization effort began in the system, which repeatedly clashed with the archaeologists due to their illegal scavenging of the prothean ruins, damaging priceless artifacts.
Zephyr: A rocky world about twice the size of Mars, Zephyr is rocked by rapid and strong winds, surpassing any found on Earth. The planet is home to the main sights of prothean settlement in the system, ruins spread across the southernmost continent with a total population of hundreds of thousands. The ruins are far less technologically sophisticated as those found on other worlds, but are also far younger. This has led credence to prothean extinction theories that include significant tech regression like the extermination or civil war. The planet is host to a large scientific presence with many archaeologists and expeditions operating on the world. Zephyr also hosts a modest colony, which has been in conflict with the expeditions since its founding, and a number of scavengers. This leaves Zephyr mostly lawless and violent, compounded by the minimal Alliance presence, though efforts by the expeditions may change that in the future.
Boreas: A modest gas giant a quarter the size of Saturn, Boreas hosts little in human presence, with only a single gas extraction facility, a refueling station, and a small Alliance Fighter base existing within it or on its moons.