The Ponea were a species encountered by the crew of the USS Equinox after being stranded in the Delta Quadrant by an entity known as the "Caretaker" in 2371. Referred to by the Equinox crew as "the life of the Delta Quadrant," the Ponea viewed every First Contact as an excuse to throw a party.

From the Ponea, the Equinox crew also appropriated a "synaptic stimulator," a small neural interface placed behind the ear which was able to tap into the user's brain and generate images of various alien vistas. Captain Ransom would often utilize this device to experience the Tenkaran coast, a peaceful beach environment. (VOY: "Equinox", "Equinox, Part II")