https://wiki.kerbalspaceprogram.com/api.php?action=feedcontributions&user=Tedder&feedformat=atomKerbal Space Program Wiki - User contributions [en]2024-03-29T04:42:39ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.29.0https://wiki.kerbalspaceprogram.com/index.php?title=Kerbin&diff=98667Kerbin2020-06-19T00:41:54Z<p>Tedder: /* Orbits */ give the 'geostationary' aka</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox/Body}}<br />
<br />
'''Kerbin''' is the home planet of the [[Kerbal]]s, the location of the [[Kerbal Space Center|Space Center]], and the main focus of [[Kerbal Space Program]]. It is also the [[w:Earth|Earth]] analog for the game and has two [[moon]]s named '''[[Mun]]''' and '''[[Minmus]]'''.<br />
<br />
Kerbin is the third planet in [[orbit]] around the star [[Kerbol]]. It is the third largest [[celestial body]] that orbits Kerbol, following [[Jool]] and [[Eve]]. Jool's moon [[Tylo]] has the same radius of Kerbin, though it may be classified as larger, as the highest point on Tylo is about 5&nbsp;km higher than the highest point on Kerbin. However, Tylo has only 80% of Kerbin's mass.<br />
<br />
Reaching a stable orbit around Kerbin is one of the first milestones a player might achieve in the game. With the introduction of version [[1.0.3]], attaining low Kerbin orbit requires a [[delta-v|Δv]] of approximately 3400&nbsp;m/s (vacuum), though the exact amount depends on the efficiency of the ascent profile and the aerodynamics of the launch vehicle and payload. The only planet that requires a higher Δv to attain orbit is [[Eve]]. Many interplanetary missions expend over half of their Δv in reaching Kerbin orbit. The velocity required to escape a body from a given altitude is always exactly the square root of two times the velocity of a circular orbit around the body at that height.<br />
== In-game description ==<br />
{{Quote<br />
|A unique world, Kerbin has flat plains, soaring mountains and wide, blue oceans. Home to the Kerbals, it has just the right conditions to support a vast, seemingly undepletable population of the eager green creatures.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
''Reaching a stable orbit around Kerbin is one of the first things budding space programs strive for. It is said that those who can get their ship into orbit are halfway to anywhere.''<br />
|[[Kerbal Astronomical Society]]}}<br />
<br />
== Topography ==<br />
[[File:Kerbin heightmap.jpg|thumb|left|Topographical representation of Kerbin's surface as of 0.18.2. Click for high resolution. by Zeroignite]]<br />
[[File:TallestMountain_small.png|thumb|left|Kerbal at Kerbin's highest peak]]<br />
<br />
Kerbin has a roughly equal distribution of [[ocean|liquid surface water]] and solid land, with polar ice caps and scattered deserts. Some of its mountains exceed 6&nbsp;km in height, with the tallest peak being 6764.1&nbsp;m in altitude at the coordinates 46°20'17"&nbsp;E 61°35'53"&nbsp;N. The lowest point is almost 1.4&nbsp;km deep and about 313° south-west of the Kerbal Space Center.<br />
<br />
=== Craters ===<br />
[[File:KerbinCraterElevation.jpg|thumb|left|Terrain model centered on Kerbin's most pronounced craters]]<br />
<br />
Unlike other bodies in its system, Kerbin has few visible craters because its environment would erode craters from the few meteors that avoid the gravity or surface of its large moon and survive entry. Nevertheless, some geological formations indicate that bodies have violently collided with Kerbin: a planetary feature appears to be an impact crater, while a secondary rupture lies on the other side of the planet (made by the intense [http://files.mundos-fantasticos.com/200000857-6eb2d6fab1/waves.jpg longitudinal], or P-wave [http://tpsearthspace12student.wikispaces.com/file/view/PwavesSwaves.jpg/113267379/PwavesSwaves.jpg earthquakes] that ensue.) Both are in excess of 100&nbsp;km diameter, and the main crater lies along the far-western coastline. The uplift is easily visible as a series of islands, and the feature has a central peak that pokes up through the water (also known as a rebound peak.) The other, and smaller of the two, is near the prime meridian in the northern hemisphere and is more easily missed, but its uplift rims are visible, and it also has a central rebound peak.<br />
<br />
== Biomes ==<br />
[[File:KerbinBiomeMap.png|left|thumb|The biomes on Kerbin as of 0.90]]<br />
<br />
Before 0.90 Kerbin was one of the few bodies with multiple [[Biome]]s, Kerbin was second only to the Mun in number of biomes it has. Following the 0.90 update all celestial bodies have biomes. [[Science]] [[Science#Activities|experiments]] can be performed at all biomes, though Kerbin's low multipliers result in less impressive results than more distant worlds. Kerbin's biomes show a loose correlation with Earth's biomes and geographic features. Uniquely, Kerbin has 33 location biomes at KSC, these are comprised of each building and their props, the crawlerway, the flag, and KSC itself; these give a jumpstart to gathering Science points in [[Career]] mode. With 1.2 Kerbin had distinct Northern and Southern Ice Shelves added.<br />
<br />
[[File:Kerbin biome 1800x900.png|thumb|left|Kerbin biome map as of 1.2]]<br />
{|<br />
|<br />
<span id="Planetary biome list"></span><br />
=== List of biomes ===<br />
* Ice Caps<br />
* Northern Ice Shelf<br />
* Southern Ice Shelf<br />
* Tundra<br />
* Highlands<br />
* Mountains<br />
* Grasslands<br />
* Deserts<br />
* Badlands<br />
* Shores<br />
* Water<br />
<span id="Kerbin location biomes"></span><br />
{{FlipBox|style=word-wrap: normal;margin: 0em 0em 0.5em; border-style: solid solid solid solid; padding: 0px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border-color:#aaaaaa; border-width:1px; width: 24em;<br />
|title=KSC mini biomes<br />
|content=<br />
* [[Inland Kerbal Space Center|Baikerbanur]]<br />
** Baikerbanur LaunchPad<br />
* Island Airfield<br />
* [[Woomerang Launch Site]]<br />
* [[KSC]]<br />
** [[Administration Facility|Administration]]<br />
*** Administration Grounds<br />
** [[Astronaut Complex]]<br />
*** AstronautComplex Grounds<br />
** Crawlerway<br />
** [[Flag Pole|FlagPole]]<br />
** [[Launch Pad|LaunchPad]]<br />
*** LaunchPad Water Tower<br />
*** LaunchPad Flag Pole<br />
*** LaunchPad Round Tank<br />
*** LaunchPad Tanks<br />
** [[Mission Control]]<br />
*** MissionControl Grounds<br />
** [[Research and Development|R&D]]<br />
*** R&D Central Building<br />
*** R&D Corner Lab<br />
*** R&D Main Building<br />
*** R&D Observatory<br />
*** R&D Side Lab<br />
*** R&D Small Lab<br />
*** R&D Tanks<br />
*** R&D Wind Tunnel<br />
** [[Runway]]<br />
** [[Spaceplane Hangar|SPH]]<br />
*** SPH Main Building<br />
*** SPH Round Tank<br />
*** SPH Tanks<br />
*** SPH Water Tower<br />
** [[Tracking Station]]<br />
*** Tracking Station Dish East<br />
*** Tracking Station Dish North<br />
*** Tracking Station Dish South<br />
*** Tracking Station Hub<br />
** [[Vehicle Assembly Building|VAB]]<br />
*** VAB Main Building<br />
*** VAB Pod Memorial<br />
*** VAB Round Tank<br />
*** VAB South Complex<small>(only exist when VAB is Level 2)</small><br />
*** VAB Tanks<br />
}}<br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Atmosphere ==<br />
[[File:Kerbin_Atmosphere_T&P.png|thumbnail|left|Temperature and pressure of Kerbin's atmosphere as a function of altitude.]]<br />
[[File:Kerbin_atmospheric_density.png|thumbnail|left|Drag force is proportionate to atmospheric density.]]<br />
<br />
<!-- SPECULATION: Kerbin has an atmosphere of unknown composition, though Kerbin's plants and animals would not survive without O<sub>2</sub>, N<sub>2</sub>, and CO<sub>2</sub>. --><br />
Kerbin has a thick, warm [[atmosphere]] with a mass of approximately 4.7×10<sup>16</sup> kilograms, a sea level pressure of 101.325 kilopascals (1 atmosphere), and a depth of 70,000 meters. The atmosphere contains oxygen and can support combustion. Kerbin is the only planet or moon (other than [[Laythe]]) with a breathable atmosphere.<br />
<br />
The average [[w:Molecular_mass|molecular weight]] of Kerbin air is 28.9644&nbsp;g/mol, and its [[w:Heat_capacity_ratio|adiabatic index]] is 1.40. This suggests that Kerbin likely has an earthlike nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere. The air-fuel ratio of jet engines operating in Kerbin's atmosphere suggests that the percentage of oxygen is similar to that of [[w:Atmosphere_of_Earth|Earth's atmosphere]] (about 21%).<br />
<br />
Like all other atmospheres in the game, Kerbin's atmosphere fades exponentially as altitude increases. The [[w:Scale_height|scale height]] varies with altitude, which is a change from pre-1.0 [[Version_history|versions]] of the game. The pressure-altitude profile is globally constant and independent of temperature. The following table gives the atmospheric pressure and density at various altitudes above sea level. Temperature-altitude profile is not globally constant, therefore neither is the density-altitude profile, however variance is slight.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
|-<br />
! Altitude (m) !! Pressure (Pa) !! Pressure (atm) !! Density (kg/m^3)<br />
|-<br />
| 0 || 101 325 || 1.000 || 1.225<br />
|-<br />
| 2 500 || 69 015 || 0.681 || 0.898<br />
|-<br />
| 5 000 || 45 625 || 0.450 || 0.642<br />
|-<br />
| 7 500 || 29 126 || 0.287 || 0.446<br />
|-<br />
| 10 000 || 17 934 || 0.177 || 0.288<br />
|-<br />
| 15 000 || 6 726 || 0.066 || 0.108<br />
|-<br />
| 20 000 || 2 549 || 0.025 || 0.040<br />
|-<br />
| 25 000 || 993.6 || 0.010 || 0.015<br />
|-<br />
| 30 000 || 404.1 || 0.004 || 0.006<br />
|-<br />
| 40 000 || 79.77 || 0.001 || 0.001<br />
|-<br />
| 50 000 || 15.56 || 0.000 || 0.000<br />
|-<br />
| 60 000 || 2.387 || 0.000 || 0.000<br />
|-<br />
| 70 000 || 0.000 || 0.000 || 0.000<br />
|}<br />
<br />
Kerbin's atmosphere can be divided into three major layers, comparable to Earth's [[w:Troposphere|troposphere]], [[w:Stratosphere|stratosphere]] and [[w:Mesosphere|mesosphere]]. In the lower and upper layers, temperature decreases as altitude increases, while the middle layer spans of a region of increasing temperature. The boundary between the lower and middle layers occurs at an altitude of about 16&nbsp;km at low latitudes, and about 9&nbsp;km at high latitudes. The boundary between the middle and upper layer occurs at an altitude of about 38&nbsp;km.<br />
<br />
Air temperatures vary with latitude and time of day. At the equator, sea level temperatures vary between a nighttime low of 32 °C and a daytime high of 41 °C. At the poles, the temperature varies between -35&nbsp;°C and -30&nbsp;°C. The globally averaged sea level temperature is approximately 13.5&nbsp;°C. Since Kerbin has no axial tilt, there are no seasonal temperature variations.<br />
<br />
The atmosphere of Kerbin is patterned after Earth's [[w:U.S._Standard_Atmosphere|U.S. Standard Atmosphere]] (USSA), though with the vertical height scale reduced by 20%. Kerbin's "base" temperature and atmospheric pressure can be very closely approximated using the [http://www.braeunig.us/space/atmmodel.htm#table4 equations of the USSA], where Kerbin's geometric altitude, z, is converted to Earth's geopotential altitude, h, using the equation:<br />
<br />
:<math>h = \frac{7963.75\cdot z}{6371+1.25\cdot z}</math>.<br />
<br />
The base temperature is the temperature less latitudinal and diurnal adjustments; it is roughly equal to the global mean temperature.<br />
<br />
=== Atmospheric flight ===<br />
The thickness of Kerbin's atmosphere makes it well suited for [[aerobraking]] from a high-speed interplanetary intercept. The periapsis altitude required for a successful aerocapture depends on the spacecraft's drag characteristics, its approach velocity, and the desired apoapsis of the resulting orbit. For most conditions, a periapsis altitude of about 30&nbsp;km should result in an aerocapture.<br />
<br />
[[Parachute]]s perform well in Kerbin's dense air, allowing landings on both land and water to be accomplished without the aid of propulsion.<br />
<br />
Because of the presence of oxygen, [[jet engine]]s can operate in Kerbin's atmosphere. And, together with its thickness, Kerbin's atmosphere is ideally suited for [[aircraft]] flight.<br />
<br />
[[File:StationDocking.png|thumbnail|A modified Orbiter 1A prepares to dock with a space station.]]<br />
<br />
== Orbits ==<br />
[[File:Sputnik in Kerbin's orbit.png|thumbnail|left|A Sputnik-derived satellite]]<br />
<br />
A [[synchronous orbit]] is achieved with a semi-major axis of {{OrbitAltitude|b=Kerbin|f=k|3=0}}. [[KEO|Kerbisynchronous Equatorial Orbit (KEO)]] (or geostationary), has a circularly uniform altitude of {{OrbitAltitude|b=Kerbin|f=k}} and a speed of {{OrbitVelocity|b=Kerbin}}. From a 70&nbsp;km low equatorial orbit, the periapsis maneuver requires 676.5&nbsp;m/s and the apoapsis maneuver requires 434.9&nbsp;m/s. A synchronous [[w:Tundra orbit|Tundra orbit]] with eccentricity of 0.2864 and inclination of 63 degrees is achieved at 3799.7/1937.7&nbsp;km. Inclination correlates with eccentricity: higher inclined orbits need to be more eccentric, while equatorial orbit may be circular, essentially KEO.<br />
<br />
A [[w:semi-synchronous orbit|semi-synchronous orbit]] with an orbital period of ½ of Kerbin's rotation period (2&nbsp;h&nbsp;59&nbsp;m&nbsp34.7&nbsp;s or 10774.7&nbsp; seconds) is achieved at an altitude of {{OrbitAltitude|b=Kerbin|f=k|pf=1/2}} with an orbital velocity of {{OrbitVelocity|b=Kerbin|pf=1/2}}. A semi-synchronous [[w:Molniya orbit|Molniya orbit]] with eccentricity of 0.742<ref>“[http://www.uwgb.edu/dutchs/AstronNotes/Orbits0.HTM Some Major Orbit Types]” uses that, [[w:Molniya orbit#References|the Wikipedia article]] mentions 0.74105, and “[http://www.eumetcal.org/euromet/english/satmet/s3220/s3220332.htm Orbital Parameters of a Molniya Orbit]” uses 0.72.</ref> and inclination of 63 degrees can not be achieved, because the periapsis would be 36&nbsp;km below the ground. The highest eccentricity of a semi-synchronous orbit with a periapsis of 70&nbsp;km is 0.693<!---389102957193457747187874683092468355009655955115825698569= (1585.18 + 600-670)/(1585.18 + 600)--> with an apoapsis of 3100.36<!-- (1585.18+600)*2-670-600 -->&nbsp;km.<br />
<br />
The [[w:Hill sphere|Hill sphere]] (the radius around the planet at which moons are gravitationally stable) of Kerbin is 136 185&nbsp;km, or roughly 227 Kerbin radii.<br />
<br />
== Delta-V Requirements ==<br />
From the lowest possible stable orbit around Kerbin (70&nbsp;km), the nominal amount of delta-V needed to reach other destinations is:<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
|-<br />
! Body !! Δv<br />
|-<br />
| [[Mun]] || ~860&nbsp;m/s<br />
|-<br />
| [[Minmus]] || ~930&nbsp;m/s<br />
|-<br />
| [[Eve]] || ~1033&nbsp;m/s<br />
|-<br />
| [[Duna]] || ~1060&nbsp;m/s<br />
|-<br />
| [[KEO|Geostationary Orbit]] || ~1120&nbsp;m/s<br />
|-<br />
| [[Moho]] || ~1676&nbsp;m/s<br />
|-<br />
| [[Jool]] || ~1915&nbsp;m/s<br />
|-<br />
| [[Eeloo]] || ~2100&nbsp;m/s<br />
|-<br />
| [[Kerbol]] escape || ~2740&nbsp;m/s<br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Reference frames ==<br />
{{:Kerbin/RefFrame}}<br />
<br />
== Gallery ==<br />
<gallery><br />
Kerbin ISA Topo 0 21.jpg |Topographical map of Kerbin as of {{version|0.21}}<br />
Kerbin map from 0.14.jpg | A projection map of Kerbin, as of [[0.14.1]] and before (including the old demo).<br />
Kerbin color.png | An accurate full-colour projection map of Kerbin as of [[0.14.2]] to [[0.17.1]]<br />
KerbinDeltaVMap.png | A map displaying the delta V needed from/to Kerbin<br />
Kerbin_mun_minmus.jpg | Kerbin, Mun and Minmus.<br />
Kerbin,_Mun,_and_Minmus.jpeg | Kerbin with its two natural satellites, the Mun and Minmus, seen from KEO. Minmus can be seen just above the horizon of Kerbin on the left side of the picture.<br />
kerbin map 800.gif | A topographic heightmap of Kerbin made with the ISA MapSat plugin<br />
Kerbinmun500550km.png | Kerbin and the Mun, barely visible from ~500,550,000&nbsp;m<br />
Kerbin ISA Topo.png | Topographical image of Kerbin '''from 0.17.1'''. The terrain is slightly different in the latest version.<ref>http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/entry.php/247-A-Brave-New-World</ref><br />
Kerbin r0 1.png | An unmanned probe on escape trajectory, flying past Kerbin, Mun and Minmus<br />
KerbalPolar1.png | Kerbin's North Pole<br />
Screenshot255.png | Kerbin's South Pole<br />
Solar eclipse in LKO.jpg | A solar eclipse from low Kerbin orbit (LKO).<br />
File:Entire kerbin system.jpg | Kerbin and Minmus seen from the surface of the Mun.<br />
File:KSPKerbalSystem.PNG | Kerbin, Mun, and Minmus in a line, seen from a Minmus landing craft.<br />
</gallery><br />
<br />
{{SpoilerBox<br />
|description=Easter Eggs Are Shown<br />
|content=<br />
<gallery><br />
Kermmunist_Launch_Site.png | The second launch site (currently unused).<br />
KEasterEgg.png | Kerbin from above with the Runway Easter Egg<br />
<br />
<!--Old Monolith.jpeg doesn't exist; add screenshot of monolith from version 0.13 or older--><br />
<br />
File:Crashed Polar UFO.png | A Crashed UFO on Kerbin's northern ice cap.<br />
</gallery>}}<br />
<br />
== Changes ==<br />
;[[1.2]]<br />
* Added biomes.<br />
;[[1.0.5]]<br />
* Kerbin actually spun up to have a 6&nbsp;h synodic day.<br />
;[[0.90]]<br />
* Updated biomes.<br />
;[[0.22]]<br />
* Biomes added.<br />
;[[0.21]]<br />
* Terrain revised to produce more detailed and interesting landforms.<br />
;[[0.19.1]]<br />
* Fixed ladders on the fuel tanks near the launchpad.<br />
;[[0.19]]<br />
* New mesh for the launchpad and area (no launchtower anymore).<br />
* New mesh for the runway, with lights and sloping edges for rovers.<br />
;[[0.18]]<br />
* Terrain overhaul: Entire planet redo. Deserts, darker and greener grass, islands, darker ocean/water, snow capped mountains. Looks more realistic.<br />
* Several [[List of easter eggs|Easter Eggs]] added.<br />
* Airport added to island off of KSC coastline. (Not a launching point)<br />
;[[0.17]]<br />
* Improved atmosphere visuals. <br />
;[[0.15]]<br />
* [[Minmus]] added.<br />
;[[0.14.2]]<br />
* Much more varied and taller terrain added. Prior to this, some mountain ranges exceeded 600&nbsp;m in height, but the tallest point was at an altitude of approximately 900&nbsp;m.<br />
;[[0.12]]<br />
* [[Mun]] added.<br />
;[[0.11]]<br />
* Terrain overhaul, oceans became wet.<br />
;[[0.10.1]]<br />
* Atmosphere extended from ~34,500&nbsp;m to ~69,000&nbsp;m.<br />
;[[0.7.3]]<br />
* Initial Release<br />
<br />
== Trivia ==<br />
Kerbin's continents are derived from libnoise<ref>http://libnoise.sourceforge.net/examples/complexplanet/</ref>, a coherent noise generating library, though they have been increasingly modified with time.<br />
<br />
=== Real-world comparison ===<br />
Kerbin has approximately 1/113<sup>th</sup> the mass and a 1/10<sup>th</sup> the radius of Earth.<br />
<br />
== Notes ==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
{{Celestial Bodies}}<br />
[[Category:Celestials]]<br />
[[Category:Planets]]</div>Tedderhttps://wiki.kerbalspaceprogram.com/index.php?title=Minmus&diff=81016Minmus2018-04-08T17:54:05Z<p>Tedder: grammar fix</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox/Body}}<br />
<br />
'''Minmus''' is the smallest [[moon]] of [[Kerbin]]. From the surface of [[Kerbin]] or the [[Mun]], it is a cyan speck one or two pixels wide which appears to slightly oscillate vertically. This is a result of viewing its rotation from afar. Up close, it is off white in appearance with what seem to be icy buttes, large hills, and frozen lakes. The highest areas are over 5.7&nbsp;km in altitude. It requires somewhat more delta-v to reach Minmus orbit than Mun orbit; however, given its very small gravity, it requires much less to land on the surface and return. This makes Minmus a primary source of Science in the early game after achieving an orbit of Kerbin.<br />
<br />
There is a [[tutorial]] about [[Tutorial:How to get to Minmus|traveling to Minmus]].<br />
== In-game Description ==<br />
<br />
{{Quote<br />
|Minmus is the smallest moon orbiting Kerbin. From the surface of Kerbin, it can be seen on clear days as a tiny blue speck in the sky. <br /><br />
<br /><br />
''It is often mistaken as dirt on telescope lenses or dead pixels, but the top minds at the Kerbal Astronomical Society assure us it is a real moon nevertheless.''<br />
|[[Kerbal Astronomical Society]]}}<br />
<br />
== Orbital characteristics ==<br />
Minmus orbits Kerbin at a continuous altitude of 46,400,000 meters and takes approximately 920&nbsp;m/s Δv to transfer to from low Kerbin orbit. The [[w:Synodic period|synodic period]] from Kerbin's surface is 14 days, 3 hours and 1 second (1,220,401 seconds). A synchronous orbit around Minmus is possible at an altitude of {{OrbitAltitude|b=Minmus|f=k}}. The orbital speed around Minmus for an object with an altitude of 0&nbsp;m is 171.5&nbsp;m/s.<br />
<br />
It is important to be careful when attempting to return to Kerbin from Minmus, as Minmus' high orbit makes it very easy to escape Kerbin's sphere of influence entirely. However, this means that a base on or in orbit around Minmus would make a convenient refueling station for vessels leaving the Kerbin system.<br />
<br />
An efficient way to return to a lower Kerbin orbit from Minmus is to use a gravity assist around [[Mun]]. Plan the maneuver carefully, though, as one gravity assist will send a vessel into a lower energy orbit around Kerbin, but another can send the vessel along an escape trajectory!<br />
<br />
== Surface Temperature ==<br />
<br />
Calculation of the expected surface temperature for Minmus, using received energy from [[Kerbol]], with the [[w:Stefan–Boltzmann law|Stefan-Boltzmann Law]] for the radiated power gives a temperature of -50 degrees Celsius. Whilst this is lower than the measured value, it lends support to the theory that Minmus is a captured comet. It could not have formed at its present location but has an albedo high enough to prevent catastrophic [[w:Sublimation (phase transition)|sublimation]] of its icy composition. A high salt content, if present, would also slow the sublimation process. <br />
<br />
This value of temperature was calculated using: An emissivity of 0.9 (close to but lower than compacted ice), an albedo of 0.6 (close to but lower than the real ice moon [[w:Europa|Europa]]), and the luminosity of 3 yottawatts for Kerbol. If the same calculation is performed for Kerbin with typical Earth values of emissivity and albedo, a temperature of positive 15 degrees Celsius is obtained.<br />
<br />
== Topography ==<br />
Minmus has very divergent elevations. Plateaus at around 5&nbsp;km high are matched by "Flats" at datum altitude (0&nbsp;m). Much of the surface is transitional lowlands and highlands. <!--[[Link is broken]] The vast majority of the surface is rolling hills, with lakes of a solid substance (such as ice or salt) concentrated near the equator.<ref>http://kerbalspaceprogram.com/forum/index.php?topic=13530.msg219016#msg219016</ref> --> With {{version|0.23}}, there are now 9 [[biome]]s.<br />
<br />
The various "Flats" are almost perfectly flat and believed to have once been the site of liquid lakes. Minmus also has some mesas, one of which is near Minmus's north pole, that are so high compared to Minmus' [[sphere of influence]] that they count as "in orbit" according to the navigation tools. Unless the player manually switches the [[navball]] to Surface mode, this makes landing on these plateaus challenging, as the direction marker and speed will not automatically correct for the rotation of the surface.<br />
<br />
For most landings which are not on a plateau or in a lake, the touchdown altitude is usually between 2000&nbsp;m and 2500&nbsp;m.<br />
<br />
Jumping on this moon will make the [[kerbonaut]] ascend 12&nbsp;m from the ground.<br />
<br />
Taking a [[Surface Sample]] from Minmus says that it is a "crystalline substance, definitely not edible".<br />
<br />
== Biomes ==<br />
[[File:Minmusbiome.png|thumb|right|Minmus biome map]]<br />
Minmus has a total of 9 [[biome]]s. The most distinctive quality of Minmus's biomes is the variety of Flats, which in-game text describe as “lake beds”. They are almost perfectly flat and may represent [[w:Salt_pan_(geology)|salt flats]]. Roughly two-thirds of the surface area is irregular terrain transitioning between Highlands, Midlands, and Lowlands with Slopes in-between.<br />
<br />
=== Biome list ===<br />
{{Biome list|<br />
* Poles<br />
* Lowlands<br />
* Midlands<br />
* Highlands<br />
* Slopes<br />
* Flats<br />
* Lesser Flats<br />
* Great Flats<br />
* Greater Flats}}<br />
<br />
== Science ==<br />
<br />
Although the [[science]]-multipliers of Minmus's surface and orbit are quite low compared to that of other planets and moons (but a little higher than [[Mun]]), Minmus is comparably easy to reach and to return from and has a very large number of biomes which all yield different science results. Unlike Mun, Minmus's biomes are easily discernable by eye, making it easier to run over all biomes without using ScanSat or other similar mods. A relatively small 1.25m lander using [[LV-909 Liquid Fuel Engine|LV-909s]] can reach Minmus, hop over all biomes and return to Kerbin on one run. This makes it &ndash; together with [[Mun]] &ndash; the main source of science points during the midgame.<br />
<br />
== Reference Frames ==<br />
{{:Minmus/RefFrame}}<br />
<br />
<br />
== Gallery ==<br />
<gallery><br />
File:Min_color.png|A full projection map of Minmus as of version 0.15 and above<br />
File:Minmus Topo mercator 400x400.png|A topographic map of Minmus made with the ISA MapSat plugin<br />
File:MunAndKerbinFromMinmus.png | Mun and Kerbin as seen from the surface of Minmus<br />
File:MinmusLander.png|A lander escaping Minmus<br />
File:Jebminmus.jpg | Jeb hopping along the surface of Minmus<br />
File:Minmus-bobdab.png | Minmus, the small, cyan speck..<br />
File:Minmus_from_south_pole.jpg | Due to Minmus' inclined orbital plane, It can be seen from Kerbin's south pole for a time.<br />
File:Minmus Humvee.png | A 2 seater Humvee on Minmus.<br />
File:Screenshot94.png | A Minmus landing party partying after landing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</gallery><br />
{{SpoilerBox<br />
|description=Spoiler image<br />
|content=<gallery><br />
Minmus Monolith.png | The only monolith on Minmus.<br />
<br />
</gallery>}}<br />
<br />
== Trivia ==<br />
* The name "Minmus" may be derived from the Latin word “[[wiktionary:minimus|minimus]]”, which denotes the smallest member of a group of beings or creatures, and is also the medical name for the smallest digit on the hand or foot. Minmus is the smallest member of the Kerbin system.<br />
* It's also possible that Minmus is named after Saturn's moon [[w:Mimas (moon)|Mimas]].<br />
* It's been speculated that Minmus was inspired by Haruki Murakami's book [[w:1Q84|1Q84]], in which the protagonist discovers she is in an alternate-reality in part by noticing a tiny, moss-green moon in the sky next to the moon she knows.<ref>http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/96074</ref><ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/10/books/1q84-by-haruki-murakami-review.html</ref><br />
* It is possible to deorbit, land and ascend back into orbit around Minmus with the EVA jetpack starting at 100% fuel.<br />
* If [[2HOT Thermometer]] is used on surface, it shows a temperature of -0.007, which is just enough for water to freeze.<br />
* If [[SC-9001 Science Jr.]] is used near or on Minmus in career mode, it will state that its test samples start to glow due to radiation. This might cause Minmus to have a higher temperature than Mun.<br />
* Most, if not all, crew reports and EVA reports along with other experiments, may mention something about Minmus looking like a minty dessert. This may be a reference to the colour “Magic Mint” made by the [[w:Crayola|Crayola]] company in 1990, and the [[w:Spring green (color)#Magic mint|colour]] itself looks almost exactly like that of Minmus's surface. This relation may be intentional; however, it may just be a coincidence.<br />
* Minmus is large enough that, if it orbited the Sun, it would be considered a planet or a dwarf planet. If you make Minmus 10 times larger but with the same surface gravity (i.e. you make it Real Solar System sized) Minmus is both larger and denser than the Saturnian moon Mimas, which is the smallest object in the solar system known to be spherical due to hydrostatic equilibrium (its gravity makes it spherical). The criteria for an object being a planet is 1) it must orbit the sun, 2) it must have cleared its orbit, 3) it must be in hydrostatic equilibrium. Dwarf planets disregard the second criterion. If Minmus orbited the sun, it would satisfy at least two of those criteria.<br />
* Minmus, Gilly, and Pol are the only bodies in the solar system that are completely procedurally generated.<br />
* Solar System creator NovaSilisko had suggested that Minmus was an ancient comet that had become captured into Kerbin orbit.<br />
<br />
== Changes ==<br />
;[[0.23]]<br />
* Biomes added.<br />
;[[0.17]]<br />
* Minmus is no longer tidally locked to Kerbin.<ref>http://www.reddit.com/r/KerbalSpaceProgram/comments/10q9z2/minmus_lost_its_tidal_lock_to_kerbin_in_v017/</ref><br />
* Minmus' mass reduced.<ref>http://kerbalspaceprogram.com/forum/showthread.php/24156-Is-Minmus-on-a-weight-loss-program</ref><br />
* Synchronous orbit is now possible. Previously, it would have required an altitude of {{OrbitAltitude | period=(299.25*60*60) | mass=4.233e19 | radius=60000 | factor=k }}, outside Minmus' sphere of influence.<br />
;[[0.15]]<br />
* Initial release<br />
<br />
== See also ==<br />
* [[Tutorial:How to get to Minmus|Tutorial on travelling from Kerbin to Minmus]]<br />
<br />
== Notes ==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
{{Celestial Bodies}}<br />
[[Category:Celestials]]<br />
[[Category:Moons]]</div>Tedder