Particle fountain (anomaly)
A particle fountain was a small but dangerous spatial anomaly. In the Alpha Quadrant, the Federation lost over a dozen starships attempting to study one. Consequently, the phenomenon was poorly understood.

In 2376, the sentient ship  compelled Tom Paris to take "her" to a particle fountain in Grid 867, describing it as her "home". The crew of the  was able to beam Paris away as Alice entered the fountain. Without an organic pilot, Alice lost helm control and was destroyed. () 

While having dinner with Chakotay on evening in 2377, Kathryn Janeway shared "forget particle fountains and subspace inversions. There isn't an anomaly scarier than a thunderstorm on the plains, especially when you're six years old." ()

de:Partikelfontäne
Celestial objects