The Delphic Expanse is an area of space about 50 lightyears from Earth. While its exact dimensions are unknown, Vulcan scientists estimated the Expanse to be about 2000 lightyears across in the 22nd Century. At that time, it was also surrounded by Thermobaric clouds that made it difficult to enter and impossible to exit. It was generally avoided by Vulcan ships because of various spatial anomalies existing inside; in some parts of the Expanse the laws of physics did not apply.
In the 2130's a Klingon ship emerged from the Expanse; its entire crew was anatomically inverted but still alive. After this incident the Klingon High Council forbade all ships from entering the Expanse. (ENT: "The Expanse")
The Vulcan ship Seleya was pulled into the Expanse in December 2152; all contact was lost. The crew of theVaankara, sent to investigate, went mad and killed each other within two days of entering the Expanse. (ENT: "Impulse")
In 2153, the Enterprise (NX-01) entered the Expanse in search for the Xindi, a race native to this region, who were believed responsible for an attack on Earth that killed seven million humans. On this mission, the crew learned about the existence of ancient spheres scattered around the Expanse, which are responsible for the spatial anomalies and eventually the Expanse itself. (ENT: "Anomaly")
Related Topics
- Planets in the Delphic Expanse