Threshold: Difference between revisions

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|hidec=yes
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|image=[[File:Threshold.png|200px]]
|image=[[File:Threshold.png|200px]]
|star, position=[[Soell]], VII<ref name="vis">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 195''</ref>
|star, position=[[Soell system|Soell]], VII<ref name="vis">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 195''</ref>
|moon(s)= 12; including [[Basis]]
|moon(s)= 12; including [[Basis]]
|satellite(s)= *[[Installation 04]]<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'''</ref>
*[[Deep-Space Anomaly 0198]]<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', multiplayer map ''[[Derelict]]''</ref>
|gravity=  
|gravity=  
|diameter= 214,604 km (133,348 mi)
|diameter=214,604 km (133,348 mi)
|daylength=
|daylength=
|yearlength=
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;Liquids:
;Liquids:
[[Ammonia]], [[water]],<ref name="vis"/> [[ammonium hydrosulfide]], [[phosphorus]] compounds<ref name="atmo">'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', page 79</ref>
[[Ammonia]], [[water]],<ref name="vis"/> [[ammonium hydrosulfide]], [[phosphorus]] compounds<ref name="atmo">'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', page 79</ref>
|surface temperature=
|temperature=
|population=  
|population=
|species=
|species=
|societal approximation=  
|government=
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|technology tier=
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|current threat to array=
}}
}}
'''Threshold''' is the seventh and largest planet in the [[Soell]] star system.<ref name="vis"/> It was the gravity anchor for [[Installation 04]], which was situated at the [[Lagrange point]] between Threshold and its largest [[natural satellite]], [[Basis]].<ref name="sybex-halo">'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved: Sybex Official Strategies & Secrets]]''', chapter 5, ''page 63''</ref>
'''Threshold''' is a gas giant, and the seventh and largest planet in the [[Soell system]].<ref name="vis"/> It was the gravity anchor for [[Installation 04]], which was situated at the L<sub>1</sub> [[Lagrange point]] between Threshold and its largest [[natural satellite]], [[Basis]].<ref name="sybex-halo">'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved: Sybex Official Strategies & Secrets]]''', ''page 63''</ref>


Threshold is an immense gas giant with a diameter of 214,604 km (133,348 mi), and twelve satellites, several of which are Forerunner installations. Threshold's largest moon, Basis, has a diameter of 23,848 kilometers; the others are significantly smaller, but are nonetheless host to various [[Forerunner]] facilities.<ref name="vis"/> Although none of Threshold's satellites have been extensively surveyed, all but two of them appear to contain Forerunner installations, or are entirely artificial. The outposts functions are unknown, but they were likely used to provide maintenance for Installation 04.<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/locations/threshold '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Threshold'']</ref>
Threshold was a [[neutral]] location during the [[Human-Covenant War]]. Its [[Earth]] Survey Catalog number is '''B1008-AG'''.<ref name="sybex-halo"/>


Threshold's atmosphere is made up of white [[ammonia]] clouds, amber-colored [[ammonium hydrosulfide]] clouds, [[phosphorus]] compounds, ice crystals and other gases.<ref name="atmo"/> Threshold is known to have storms in its atmosphere similar to the storms that occur on the planet [[Jupiter]].<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign levels ''[[The Arbiter]]'' and ''[[The Oracle]]''</ref>
==History==
The planet has a core of liquid hydrogen.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Oracle]]'' (343 Guilty Spark: ''"The Flood will not survive once this mine enters the planet's liquid hydrogen core. Then again, neither will we. What a pity..."'')</ref> Threshold's atmosphere is home to an extensive network of automated Forerunner [[Threshold gas mine|gas mining platforms]], hanging from band-like low-orbital suspension grids, though only a few of these facilities remain active in the modern era.<ref name="vis"/><ref name="universe"/>
===Prehistory===
Over 100,000 years ago, Threshold was a part of the sizeable and extensive [[Forerunner]] [[ecumene]]. Wishing to harvest the gas giant's rare and valuable gases, the Forerunners used Threshold as a mining colony.<ref name="ENC310">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 310'' (2011 edition)</ref> They built numerous automated gas mining complexes in the upper atmosphere of the planet, tethered to several band orbitals, used for harvesting the [[hydrogen]], [[helium]], and [[methane]] gas of the planet.<ref name="gasmine">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/locations/threshold-gas-mine '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Threshold Gas Mine'']</ref>


Threshold was a [[neutral]] location during the [[Human-Covenant War]]. Its [[Earth]] Survey Catalog number is B1008-AG.<ref name="sybex-halo"/>
Upon the discovery of the [[Flood]], the Forerunners refitted some of the gas mines to serve as a [[Flood research facility|Flood research facilities]]. These facilities proved only one thing: more extreme measures were needed to combat the Flood and to keep them from spreading. At the end of [[Forerunner-Flood war|their war]] against the Flood, the Forerunners chose Threshold as a staging point for one of the [[Halo Array|Halo]] superweapons: [[Installation 04]]. The Halo was placed on the L<sub>1</sub> [[Lagrange point]] between Threshold and [[Basis]] and was designed to destroy all [[sentience|sentient]] life in the galaxy, thereby halting the spread of the Flood, due to starvation.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[The Oracle]]''</ref>


==History==
===Human-Covenant War===
Over 100,000 years ago, Threshold was a part of the sizable and extensive [[Forerunner]] [[ecumene]]. They built numerous automated gas mining complexes in the upper atmosphere of the planet, tethered to several band orbitals.<ref name="universe"/> Upon the discovery of the [[Flood]], the Forerunners refitted some of the gas mines to serve as a [[Flood research facility|Flood research facilities]]. These facilities proved only one thing: more extreme measures were needed to combat the Flood and to keep them from spreading. At the end of [[Forerunner-Flood war|their war]] against the Flood, the Forerunners chose Threshold as a staging point for one of the [[Halo Array|Halo]] superweapons: [[Installation 04]]. The Halo was placed on the [[Lagrange point]] between Threshold and Basis and was used to destroy all sentient life in the galaxy, thereby halting the spread of the Flood by depriving them of available hosts.
[[File:H2A Terminals - Fleet waiting for Autumn.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Threshold and Installation 04 discovered]]
In [[2552]], the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]] followed the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} to Threshold, and, [[Battle of Installation 04|in a series of events]], Installation 04 was destroyed.<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', campaign level ''[[The Maw]]''</ref> Many pieces of debris from Installation 04 were pulled into Threshold's gravity well, or its moon Basis, and destroyed.<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''', "[[The Mona Lisa]]", ''page 232''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', multiplayer map ''[[Burial Mounds]]''</ref><ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/locations/halo-ring-fragment '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Alpha Shard'']</ref> In the [[skirmish over Threshold]] after the ring's destruction, [[Cortana]] was able to jump into [[slipspace]] with the Covenant {{Class|DDS|carrier}} ''[[Ascendant Justice]]'' while in Threshold's atmosphere.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 114'' (2010 edition)</ref>
 
During the battle, the Covenant dispatched an artifact retrieval group led by [[Sesa 'Refumee]] to one of the gas mining platforms in Threshold's atmosphere.<ref>'''Halo Encyclopedia''', ''page 243''</ref> After Halo's destruction, the installation's monitor, [[343 Guilty Spark]], traveled to the gas mine and edified 'Refumee on the true nature of the Halos. Convinced that the [[Covenant religion]] was false, 'Refumee and his troops rebelled against the Prophets and were branded [[Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction|heretics]] as a result.<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''', ''[[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|Terminal 11]]''</ref> The newly-appointed [[Arbiter]], [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee, and a [[Covenant Special Operations]] contingent were dispatched to silence the heretics; at the conclusion of the [[Raid on the Threshold gas mine|resulting conflict]], the gas mine was dropped into Threshold's depths. ''[[High Charity]]'' and [[High Charity defense fleet|its fleet]] briefly visited Threshold as well, until they [[Slipstream space|jumped]] to [[Installation 05]].<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Arbiter]]''</ref>


In [[2552]], the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]] followed the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} to Threshold, and, [[Battle of Installation 04|in a series of events]], Installation 04 was destroyed.<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', ''[[The Maw]]''</ref> In the [[Skirmish over Threshold]] after the ring's destruction, [[Cortana]] was able to jump into [[slipspace]] with the Covenant flagship ''[[Ascendant Justice]]'' while in Threshold's atmosphere.
At one point in October, the [[human]] [[prison ship]] ''[[Mona Lisa]]'' ended up picking up Covenant survivors over Threshold including one infected by the Flood. The [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] began experiments with the Flood on the ship before the Flood escaped and the ''Mona Lisa'' was destroyed by a [[Shiva-class nuclear missile|nuclear missile]] fired by the {{UNSCShip|Red Horse}}. Also in the system at the time was a single Covenant ship apparently left behind to monitor or guard the Halo's remains.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions''', ''The Mona Lisa''</ref>


During the battle, the Covenant dispatched an artifact retrieval group led by [[Sesa 'Refumee]] to one of the gas mining platforms in Threshold's atmosphere. After Halo's destruction, the installation's monitor, [[343 Guilty Spark]], traveled to the gas mine and edified 'Refumee on the true nature of the Halos. Convinced that the [[Covenant religion]] was false, 'Refumee and his troops rebelled against the Prophets and were branded [[Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction|heretics]] as a result. The newly-appointed [[Arbiter]], [[Thel 'Vadamee]], and a [[Covenant Special Operations]] contingent were dispatched to silence the heretics; at the conclusion of the [[Raid on the Threshold gas mine|resulting conflict]], the gas mine was dropped into Threshold's depths. ''[[High Charity]]'' and [[High Charity defense fleet|its fleet]] briefly visited Threshold as well, until they [[Slipspace|jumped]] to [[Installation 05]].
===Post-war===
After the Human-Covenant War, a 500 light-second exclusion zone was established around Threshold, with both [[Sangheili]] and human warships patrolling the region as part of the [[Treaty of 2552|post-war treaty]] between those species. Uncontrolled [[Sentinel]]s, volatile Halo fragments, micro-debris, malfunctioning Forerunner artifacts, and the ever-present danger of the Flood made even surreptitious exploration and scavenging too dangerous for most.<ref name="universe"/>


At one point in October, the human [[prison ship]] ''[[Mona Lisa]]'' ended up picking up Covenant survivors over Threshold including one infected by the Flood. ONI began experiments with the Flood on the ship before the Flood escaped and the ''Mona Lisa'' was destroyed by a [[Shiva-class nuclear missile|nuclear missile]] fired by the {{UNSCShip|Red Horse}}. Also in the system at the time was a single Covenant ship apparently left behind to monitor or guard the Halo's remains, which were gradually being pulled into Threshold and destroyed.<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''', ''[[The Mona Lisa]]''</ref>
==Description==
===Composition and atmosphere===
[[File:H2A - Threshold gas mine.jpg|thumb|250px|A raging storm near a gas mine in Threshold's upper atmosphere]]
Threshold is an immense gas giant with a diameter of {{Convert|214604|km|mi}}, and twelve satellites, several of which are Forerunner installations. Threshold is the largest planet in the [[Soell system]], and the seventh planet in Soell's orbit.<ref name="vis"/> Threshold is purplish-orange in color,<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 12'' (2010 edition)</ref> and contains many rare and valuable gases.<ref name="ENC310"/> Threshold's atmosphere is made up of white [[ammonia]] clouds, amber-colored [[ammonium hydrosulfide]] clouds, [[phosphorus]] compounds, ice crystals and other gases. The clouds are arranged in thin, tendril-like formations and resembled sinuous ribbons.<ref name="atmo"/> The planet's winds blew at hundreds of kilometers an hour. Threshold is known to have storms frequently rage in its atmosphere similar to the storms that occur on the planet [[Jupiter]].<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign levels ''[[The Arbiter]]'' and ''[[The Oracle]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Evolutions''', "The Mona Lisa", ''page 239''</ref> The planet has a core of liquid hydrogen.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Oracle]]'' (343 Guilty Spark: ''"The Flood will not survive once this mine enters the planet's liquid hydrogen core. Then again, neither will we. What a pity..."'')</ref>


After the Human-Covenant War, a 500 light-second exclusion zone was established around Threshold, with both Sangheili and human warships patrolling the region as part of the [[Treaty of 2552|post-war treaty]] between those species. Uncontrolled Sentinels, volatile Halo fragments, micro-debris, malfunctioning Forerunner artifacts, and the ever-present danger of the Flood made even surreptitious exploration and scavenging too dangerous for most.<ref name="universe"/>
The pressure inside the gas giant is extremely powerful, and effectively able to crush any object that delved too deep into the planet's atmosphere. Threshold has a powerful magnetosphere that is easily capable of disrupting the magnetic field of [[plasma]] weaponry. The temperature of the outer atmosphere of Threshold is around three hundred degrees Celsius.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''pages 101-102'' (2010 edition)</ref> Further down, in the planet's denser atmosphere, temperatures reached over seventeen hundred degrees Celsius.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 107'' (2010 edition)</ref>


== Size ==
===Satellites===
Threshold is an immense gas giant, far larger than Jupiter from the [[Sol System]]. Its moon, Basis, is in fact the size of a huge rock planet. Basis' diameter is nearly double that of the Earth.
[[File:Installation 04 Terminal.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The orbiting Installation 04 and asteroids]]
Threshold is orbited by twelve satellites. Threshold's largest [[natural satellite]], [[Basis]], is in fact the size of a huge terrestrial planet. Basis' diameter is nearly double that of [[Earth]].<ref>[http://nikon.bungie.org/misc/sloftus_planetscale/ '''Halo.bungie.org''': ''Loftus Planet Scale'']</ref> Basis, has a diameter of 23,848 kilometers; the other satellites of Threshold are significantly smaller, but are nonetheless host to various [[Forerunner]] facilities.<ref name="vis"/> Although none of Threshold's satellites have been extensively surveyed, all but two of them appear to contain Forerunner installations or are entirely artificial. The outposts functions are unknown, but they were likely used to provide maintenance for [[Installation 04]].<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/locations/threshold '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Threshold'']</ref> Several small [[asteroid]]s also orbit Threshold, near Installation 04.<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''', ''[[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|Terminal 7]]''</ref>


{{Wide Image|HaloPlanets.jpg|1200px|A size comparison between [[Alpha Halo]], '''Threshold''', [[Installation 05|Delta Halo]], [[Substance]], [[The Ark]], [[Arcadia]], [[Reach]], [[Harvest]] and the planets in the [[Sol system]].<ref>[http://nikon.bungie.org/misc/sloftus_planetscale/ '''Halo.bungie.org''': ''Loftus Planet Scale'']</ref>}}
The most notable of Threshold's orbiting installations was Installation 04, situated at the L<sub>1</sub> [[Lagrange point]] between Threshold and Basis.<ref name="universe"/> Threshold's atmosphere is home to an extensive network of Forerunner [[Threshold gas mine|gas mining platforms]] and refinery stations, hanging from a band-like low-orbital suspension grid in the upper atmosphere.<ref name="vis"/><ref name="gasmine"/> Although, by the mid-26th century, only a handful of these mines and refineries remain operational.<ref name="universe"/> Space station [[Deep-Space Anomaly 0198]] is also in high orbit over the gas giant.<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', multiplayer map ''[[Derelict]]''</ref>


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
*Threshold is described as purple in the book, ''[[Halo: The Flood]]'', though throughout ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' and ''[[Halo 2]]'', it is only shown as orange. Also, the planet is depicted as being light blue in the motion comic adaptation of ''[[The Mona Lisa]]''.<ref name="SDCC">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bEMmNEHbr0 '''YouTube''': ''SDCC: Halo Universe Panel (Part 5)'']</ref> This may be caused by the position of the system's sun at different times or the proximity to the gas giant, or may simply be an oversight.
*Threshold is described as purple in the book, ''[[Halo: The Flood]]'', though throughout ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' and ''[[Halo 2]]'', it is only shown as orange. Also, the planet is depicted as being light blue in the motion comic adaptation of ''[[The Mona Lisa]]''.<ref name="SDCC">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bEMmNEHbr0 '''YouTube''': ''SDCC: Halo Universe Panel (Part 5)'']</ref> This may be caused by the position of the system's sun at different times or the proximity to the gas giant, or may simply be an oversight.
*In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', the [[MA5B Individual Combat Weapon System|Assault Rifle]]'s compass arrow points at the gas giant. This suggests that Threshold's atmosphere contains a large amount of iron particles, or that the assault rifles use a digital compass and that the Alpha Halo happens to be situated so that Threshold is aligned with the rifle's north during the events of the game.
*In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', the [[MA5B assault rifle|assault rifle]]'s compass arrow points at the gas giant. This suggests that Threshold's atmosphere contains a large amount of iron particles, or that the assault rifles use a digital compass and that the Alpha Halo happens to be situated so that Threshold is aligned with the rifle's north during the events of the game.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
 
File:HCE-ThresholdGasGiant.png|Alternate preview of the gas giant Threshold
File:HCE-ThresholdGasGiant.png|Alternate preview of the gas giant Threshold.
File:HCE-Threshold.jpg|Full view of the gas giant Threshold
File:HCE-Threshold.jpg|Full view of the gas giant Threshold.
File:Threshold.jpg|The planet Threshold
File:Threshold.jpg|The planet Threshold.
File:Gasgiant.jpg|A storm near the gas mine of Threshold
File:Gasgiant.jpg|A storm near the gas mine of Threshold.
File:Threshold2.png|Threshold at night
File:Threshold2.png|Threshold at night.
File:LFA-43 Halo.png|Threshold with Installation 04 and [[John-117]]'s lifepod in the foreground as it descends to the ring; the Milky Way galaxy can be seen in the distance
File:LFA-43 Halo.png|Threshold with Installation 04 and [[John-117]]'s lifepod in the foreground as it descends to the ring; the Milky Way galaxy can be seen in the distance.
File:HCE-HaloRingLoadingScreen.jpg|Threshold as seen on the [[Halo PC]] loading screen
File:HCE-HaloRingLoadingScreen.jpg|Threshold as seen on the [[Halo PC]] loading screen.
HaloPlanets.jpg|A size comparison between Threshold and several other celestial objects
File:H2A - Alpha Halo remains.jpg|Threshold with the remnants of the destroyed Installation 04 and the Covenant fleet in orbit.  
File:H2A - Alpha Halo remains.jpg|Threshold with the remnants of the destroyed Installation 04 and the Covenant fleet in orbit.
</gallery>
</gallery>


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{First mentioned}}
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{Fm}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
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*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo 2 Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 2 Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal/Halo 2 Anniversary|Terminals]]''  
**''[[Terminal/Halo 2 Anniversary|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' <small>(Simulation only)</small>
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' {{C|Simulation only}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Reflist|2}}
 
[[Category:Planets]]
[[Category:Planets]]
Retrieved from "https://www.halopedia.org/Threshold"