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The '''Bajoran wormhole''' is the only stable [[wormhole]] currently known to exist in the galaxy. The terminus nearest to the [[Federation]] is located in the [[Denorios belt]] in the Bajor system, and crosses some 70,000 light years to the [https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Idran_system Idran system] in the [[Gamma Quadrant]].

[[Bajoran ]] historical records indicate that the [[wormhole ]] has most likely been in existence for at least the past 10,000 years. In that period of time, [[Prophets#Orbs of the Prophets|nine Orbs ]] have appeared on or near [[Bajor]], and are revered as active links between the Bajoran people and their gods.

There were several unexplained incidents that are now attributed to the wormhole, although it remained undiscovered until the [[24th century]]. In the [[22nd century]], Kai Taluno's ship was disabled inside the Denorios belt for several days, and Taluno reported that "the heavens opened up and nearly swallowed the ship." Also, in [[2337]], an unknown, unpiloted alien ship appeared in the Belt, with a [[Changeling|shapeshifting being]] on board.

Because the Denorios belt was generally avoided by all interplanetary traffic, the wormhole remained undiscovered until [[2369]], shortly after the end of the [[Cardassian]] occupation of Bajor. When [[Star Fleet]] took over operation of the station, [[Commander ]] [[Benjamin Sisko ]] and science officer [[Jadzia Dax ]] investigated the many reported anomalies in the Belt aboard the USS ''Rio Grande'', and became the official discoverers of the wormhole. Shortly thereafter, [[starbase ]] [[Deep Space 9 ]] was relocated to a position near the Bajor terminus of the wormhole.

There is no full understanding of the scientific principles that allow the wormhole to remain stable. Much information, however, has been gained through observation in the past decade. Highly elevated levels of neutrinos are commonly detected prior to the appearance of the [[wormhole]]'s event horizon, and as a vessel traverses the passage. It is believed that verteron nodes play a large part in keeping the wormhole stable.

In [[2371]], Star Fleet initiated a joint scientific project with the [[Bajoran ]] and [[Cardassian ]] governments to establish a trans-wormhole subspace communications relay to make it possible for ships in the [[Gamma Quadrant]] to contact home, as well as to provide early warning of any [[Dominion]] attack. The mission was complicated by a warning from Bajoran Vedek Yarka, who cited Trakor's Third Prophecy about the potential destruction of the Celestial Temple. This prophecy was unexpectedly validated soon after with the approach of a previously-unknown, long-period comet. This comet was infused with silithium, which had the potential to permanently destabilize the wormhole if it interacted with the verteron particles in the passage. Unable to alter the comet's trajectory, a shuttlepod from the USS ''Defiant'' used a deflector shield to prevent the comet's material from contaminating the wormhole. During the transit, trace amounts of silithium inadvertently leaked through the shield. However, the small amounts did not destablize the wormhole, but instead created a subspace filament inside the wormhole that allowed normal communication between the quadrants.

In [[2373]], Star Fleet was forced to blockade the wormhole with self-replicating mines in order to prevent a growing Dominion invasion of the Alpha Quadrant. Although DS9 was subsequently lost to the [[Dominion ]] in an attack, the minefield was successfully planted, preventing further Dominion ships from departing it. The minefield was eventually destroyed during the Federation attempt to retake Deep Space 9, thanks to [[Benjamin Sisko |Sisko]] appealing to the [[Prophets ]] themselves for aid, the Dominion fleet currently passing through the wormhole was destroyed by the Prophets, who protected the wormhole from Dominion incursion for the entire Dominion War.

The impassibility of the wormhole made the [[Dominion ]] introduce a new breed of [[Jem'Hadar]], the Alphas.

The wormhole was apparently destroyed in late [[2374]], when [[Dukat]], acting as a conduit for the exiled Pah-wraiths, attacked the [[Prophets#Orbs of the Prophets|Orb of Contemplation ]] which was then housed on [[Deep Space 9]]. Following [[Dukat]]'s attack, all of the Orbs went dark, and the wormhole itself disappeared. [[Dukat]]'s aim was to force the Prophets out and make the wormhole passable again.

The disappearance of the [[wormhole ]] and the apparent loss of contact with their deities caused great consternation and fear among the Bajorans, as well as the rise of the Cult of the Pah-wraiths. The wormhole remained closed for the next three months, until Benjamin Sisko, acting as the Emissary of the Prophets, discovered the [[Prophets#Orbs of the Prophets|Orb of the Emissary ]] on Tyree in early 2375. Sisko's discovery of the previously-unknown tenth Orb signaled the re-opening of the wormhole.

   [[categoryCategory:WormholesCartography]]