"moonchild_2.jpg" by Holger ´Mangalore´ Goebber

The homo nocturnis are a breed of humans whose DNA baseline is completely designed around the necessity to sustain an organic lifeform in outer space with as little ressources as possible. By 3700 AD the homo nocturnis form one of the largest subspecies of the homo sapiens sapiens and are widespread in galactical territories with little appeal for human beings depending on sunlight, radiation protection or lush green gardens.

The homo nocturnis are recognizable for being rather pale, black haired and having secondary eyelids which protect their eyes against radiation. Their eyes have added several layers into the infrared spectrum and heightened light sensitivity, they do not need to produce vitamins via the skin, have no pigmentation, are rather robust to stellar radiation, very economic with oxygen consumption  and can live in pitch black in confined spaces without averse psychological impact. 

When mankind perfected their genetics and pushed forward into outer space they found that it is far easier to change the properties of the human species than try to change a planet. Thus from the agreed upon homo sapiens sapiens a multitude of sub genomes were created adapted for certain living environments, tasks or planets.

It coined the phrase "When Man ventured to the stars he only found what he brought there and found that the alien was him..."