How it used to be

I love it. Where's my time machine when I need it. I always marveled at those planets with their swirling cloudscapes, almost monotone surface features, and no seas, unless they are reddish? Still, how about this would. Its got an atmosphere, a fairly thick one by the looks of it. Any back story on this one? I was wondering if you have ever seen any Star Trek related art of planet's surfaces. Like the ones often voiced by Spock as having 'ancient archeological ruins that stretch on for miles', or words to that effect.