Erythro (Asimov)

Erythro is the name of the moon of Megas, a gas giant in the science fiction novel "Nemesis", written by Isaac Asimov. Erythro is part of a red dwarf star system passing close to the Solar System. The moon is apparently barren, apart from a covering of microorganisms. After several people who venture out onto the surface of Erythro are mentally damaged by the experience, the book's main character, Marlene Insignia Fisher, is drawn to go out onto the surface.

She discovers that the others suffered injuries because the planet was trying to make telepathic contact with the humans, and only her own brain is suitable for communication. The planet is not alive in itself but the micro-organisms covering the planet form a collective consciousness. Asimov hints in "Foundation's Edge" that Erythro may be the inspiration for R. Daneel Olivaw to create Gaia.