Difference between revisions of "Moho"

Revision as of 06:47, 15 August 2016

Moho
Moho as seen from orbit.
Planet of Kerbol
Orbital Characteristics
Semi-major axis		5 263 138 304 m [Note 1]
Apoapsis		6 315 765 981 m [Note 1]
Periapsis		4 210 510 628 m [Note 1]
Orbital eccentricity		0.2
Orbital inclination		7 °
Argument of periapsis		15 °
Longitude of the ascending node		70 °
Mean anomaly		3.14 rad (at 0s UT)
Sidereal orbital period		2 215 754 s
		102 d 3 h 29 m 14.2 s
Synodic orbital period		2 918 346.4 s
Orbital velocity		12 186 - 18 279 m/s
Physical Characteristics
Equatorial radius		250 000 m
Equatorial circumference		1 570 796 m
Surface area		7.8539816×1011 m2
Mass		2.5263314×1021 kg
Standard gravitational parameter		1.6860938×1011 m3/s2
Density		38 599.500 kg/m3
Surface gravity		2.70 m/s2 (0.275 g)
Escape velocity		1 161.41 m/s
Sidereal rotation period		1 210 000.0 s
		56 d 0 h 6 m 40 s
Solar day		2 665 723.4 s
		123 d 2 h 28 m 43.4 s
Sidereal rotational velocity		1.2982 m/s
Synchronous orbit		Outside sphere of influence
Sphere of influence		9 646 663.0 m [Note 1]
Atmospheric Characteristics
Atmosphere present		No
Scientific multiplier
Surface		10
Splashed		N/A
Near space		8
Outer space		7
Recovery		7
↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 The distances are given from the body's center, not from the surface (unlike ingame)

Moho is the third-smallest planet and the one closest to Kerbol, with an orbital period of 102 days, the shortest in the Kerbol system, and an orbital velocity ranging from 12-18km/s, is also the fastest celestial body in Kerbal Space Program. It is the Mercury analogue. Moho lacks an atmosphere and natural satellites. The planet gets its name from the Mohorovičić discontinuity, the boundary between the Earth's crust and mantle.

Moho's inclined, low, and eccentric orbit and lack of atmosphere or moons (for aerobraking and gravity assists, respectively) make encountering the planet relatively difficult. Without an atmosphere to retain or block heat, Moho's daytime surface temperatures can exceed 300°C, making radiators an absolute necessity if any part (such as drills or engines) must be cool to operate both safely and effectively.

In-game Description

Topography

Moho's surface ranges from light brown highlands to dark brown basins, possibly the product of volcanism. Its highest point is in its northern hemisphere at an altitude of 6817 m. Moho's heavy cratering suggests erosion caused by tidal friction with Kerbol.

Moho has a very deep well at its geographic north pole, called the Northern Sinkhole. The Mohole is about 4.6 kilometers deep, and has a descending angle of 80 degrees. ^[1] The hole is a glitch in the procedural generation of terrain; many other bodies with land at the north pole have similar bugs.^[2] Despite,the appearance of another hole at the geographic south pole in Map View, one does not exist.

The Mohole can destroy craft and kill Kerbals that fall into it.

Biomes

Moho has 12 biomes. It is one of two bodies (the other being Ike) that have their own North and South Pole biome.

Biome list

Moho In-game biome map as of 1.2

North Pole Northern Sinkhole Ridge Northern Sinkhole Highlands Midlands Minor Craters Central Lowlands Western Lowlands South Western Lowlands South Eastern Lowlands Canyon South Pole

Orbital Statistics

Mohosynchronous and semi-synchronous orbits are impossible — they would require altitudes of 18 182.08 km and 11 361.48 km respectively, both of which are beyond Moho's sphere of influence.

Reference Frames

Solar System Counterpart

Moho is the apparent Kerbol System analog of the planet Mercury. Both share a similar cratered landscape, like most bodies with little to no atmosphere. Due to the lack of an atmosphere to retain heat, Moho and Mercury are freezing on the night side and, relative to Earth, extremely hot on the day side. Both planets are the closest to their respective stars and lack natural satellites.

However, Moho has a brown surface, while Mercury has a dark grey surface. In addition, Mercury has a tenuous atmosphere of about 10⁻¹³ kPa while Moho has no atmosphere; although, a pressure of 10⁻¹³ kPa (≃ 10⁻¹⁵ atm) would be rendered "unmeasurable" by the PresMat Barometer and register in KSP as a vacuum.

Gallery

• 

  A topographic height map of Moho as at Version 0.18.2 made with the ISA MapSat plugin.

• 

  A successful landing at Moho pre-0.18. Note the engines still overheating.

• 

  A successful landing in 0.23.5, after Moho's color was changed and its superheated atmosphere was removed. The walls of the basins are quite steep.

• 

  A probe wedged in the 5 km deep lava well at the north pole.

• 

  A probe performing a Moho flyby.

• 

  Hanny Kerman wedged in the Northern Mohole sideways. Lots of orientation jittering was observed.

Changes

0.90

• Added biomes

0.21

• New, procedurally generated, textures added, with higher detail craters.

0.18

• Entirely changed more cratered surface.
• Color changed from red to brown.
• No more superheated atmosphere.
• No longer tidally locked.
• Mass reduced.

0.17

• Initial Release

Notes

1. ↑ “Moho's Secrets Revealed”
2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e5SGynBJ4Y

v t e Kerbol System Kerbol Moho Eve Kerbin Duna Dres Jool Eeloo (The Sun)   Gilly Mun Minmus Ike   Laythe Vall Tylo Bop Pol