  We introduce characteristics into chromatic homotopy theory. This parallels
the prime characteristics in number theory as well as in our earlier work on
structured ring spectra and unoriented bordism theory. Here, the K(n)-local
Hopkins-Miller classes $\zeta_n$ take the places of the prime numbers, and this
allows us to discuss higher bordism theories. We prove that the
K(2)-localizations of the spectrum of topological modular forms as well as the
string bordism spectrum have characteristic $\zeta_2$.
