Gamma Trianguli

   

 

Gamma Trianguli is a star in the constellation Triangulum. Gamma Trianguli is a white A-type main sequence dwarf with an apparent magnitude of +4.03. It is approximately 118 light years from Earth. The Barred Spiral Galaxy, NGC925 (mag10) is located about 2° east of .

In Star Trek, the star is located near Federation space and contains at least six planets. (TNG: "Conspiracy"). The atmosphere of its sixth planet, which was controlled by Vaal, a self-aware machine created approximately 10,000 years ago on Gamma Trianguli VI by an unknown species. Vaal filtered out any harmful effects from the star and the people of that planet believed that Vaal controlled their sun. When that planet was visited by the USS Enterprise and James T. Kirk there was a primitive culture of humanoids living on the planet who had formed a cult around Vaal and revered it as a god. Vaal was ultimately destroyed by Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise when it killed several crew members and was deemed an unacceptable threat. This action by Kirk may have been in direct violation of the Prime Directive, but Kirk felt justified that the humanoids on the planet needed to be freed from their false god in order to achieve their full potential. (TOS: "The Apple")