Second Earth
The planet the fleet finds and settles on at the end of the series, revealed to be the actual Earth.
Earth is the planet the fleet finds and settles on at the end of the series finale "Daybreak." The episodes portray the Galactica launching a rescue mission to retrieve Hera Agathon from the "colony," a heavily armed and defended Cylon base located near a black hole. They manage to rescue Hera and, in the end, the fleet finds a new planet to settle on, which they come to call Earth (revealed to be the actual Earth).
- Status
- Discovered and confirmed
- Significance
- Final destination of the Twelve Colonies
- Discovery Context
- Reached at the end of the series finale "Daybreak"
Lore & Background
The source material does not provide any additional lore about Earth beyond its discovery at the end of the series. The episodes portray the Galactica launching a rescue mission to retrieve Hera Agathon from the "colony," a heavily armed and defended Cylon base located near a black hole. They manage to rescue Hera and, in the end, the fleet finds a new planet to settle on, which they come to call Earth (revealed to be the actual Earth). The source does not describe Earth as a radioactive wasteland, the site of the Thirteenth Tribe's extinction, or any other details about its nature or history.
In Their Own Story
The source material does not provide a narrative story about the discovery of Earth beyond the final events of the series. The episodes portray the Galactica launching a rescue mission to retrieve Hera Agathon from the "colony," a heavily armed and defended Cylon base located near a black hole. They manage to rescue Hera and, in the end, the fleet finds a new planet to settle on, which they come to call Earth (revealed to be the actual Earth). No further details about the discovery or arrival are given in the source.
Reader's Guide
The source material does not provide a guide or detailed description of Earth. The episodes portray the Galactica launching a rescue mission to retrieve Hera Agathon from the "colony," a heavily armed and defended Cylon base located near a black hole. They manage to rescue Hera and, in the end, the fleet finds a new planet to settle on, which they come to call Earth (revealed to be the actual Earth). No further information about the planet's characteristics, history, or the fleet's settlement is provided in the source.
Did You Know?
- Earth is revealed to be the actual Earth at the end of the series finale "Daybreak."
- The fleet finds Earth after launching a rescue mission to retrieve Hera Agathon from the "colony," a Cylon base near a black hole.
- The episodes "Daybreak, Part 1" and "Daybreak, Parts 2 & 3" aired on March 13 and March 20, 2009, respectively.
- The survivor count shown in the title sequence for Part 1 is 39,516, and for Part 2 is 39,406.
- At the end of Part 2, Admiral Adama announces the survivor population at approximately 38,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Second Earth?
This planet serves as the ultimate destination where the surviving Colonial Fleet finally lands after their long migration through space. Many Colonials long believed this destination was merely an ancient religious story rather than a real location.
Why is Second Earth radioactive?
The surface remains deadly due to nuclear fallout from an ancient war between the Thirteenth Tribe and their Cylon creations. This destruction left behind remnants of technology but rendered the planet largely uninhabitable without protection for centuries.
Who lived on Second Earth before the Fleet arrived?
The original inhabitants were the Thirteenth Tribe, who perished during a nuclear conflict with their own creations. Their demise serves as a grim warning about the inevitable cycle of violence between humans and machines.
How does the story end for Second Earth?
Over time, these survivors repopulate the world and evolve into the human species known today. This conclusion fulfills the prophecy that they must return to their origin point to begin anew.
Why is finding Second Earth important?
Discovering it validates the ancient prophecies and provides a final sanctuary for the remnants of human civilization. It marks the end of their wandering and the beginning of a new era despite the planet's damaged legacy.
More in Lore & History
Elsewhere in the Battlestar Galactica universe
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