Difference between revisions of "Moho"
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== Naming == | == Naming == | ||
| − | Moho is also the name for the outermost layer of molten rock that makes up the mantle (that layer was the target of [[w: | + | Moho is also the name for the outermost layer of molten rock that makes up the mantle (that layer was the target of [[w:Project Mohole|Project Mohole]]). It may have been named by [[Kerbal]] astronomers who, according to its in-game description, believed it to be flowing with rivers and oceans of lava. |
== Topography == | == Topography == | ||
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Moho has brown-colored smooth basins. These basins are likely the product of volcanism. | Moho has brown-colored smooth basins. These basins are likely the product of volcanism. | ||
| − | Moho has two very deep wells at its geographic north and south poles. Current analysis and probe exploration have revealed the north crater to be more than five kilometers deep; however, the probe crashed into the ever narrowing canyon walls before reaching the very bottom. A set of three probes was then sent to properly determine the depth to within 100 meters. The final analysis found the depth of the northern well to be around 4. | + | Moho has two very deep wells at its geographic north and south poles. Current analysis and probe exploration have revealed the north crater to be more than five kilometers deep; however, the probe crashed into the ever narrowing canyon walls before reaching the very bottom. A set of three probes was then sent to properly determine the depth to within 100 meters. The final analysis found the depth of the northern well to be around 4.6 km deep after the final probe reached the very bottom intact.<ref>“[[thread:48006|Moho's Secrets Revealed]]” in the forums measuring the depth of the northern pit.</ref> These wells may be dormant volcanic tubes. Further analysis of the canyon walls is needed for a final answer. <!--most likely explanation: it's just a glitch in the procedural terrain generation algorithm --> These holes, often called Moholes, may be a reference to [[w:Project Mohole|Project Mohole]]. |
== Orbital Statistics == | == Orbital Statistics == | ||
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Moho_800_map.gif | A topographic height map of Moho as at Version 0.18.2 made with the ISA MapSat plugin. | Moho_800_map.gif | A topographic height map of Moho as at Version 0.18.2 made with the ISA MapSat plugin. | ||
Moho_landing.png | A successful landing at Moho pre-0.18. Note the engines still overheating. | Moho_landing.png | A successful landing at Moho pre-0.18. Note the engines still overheating. | ||
| − | Probewedge.jpg | A Probe wedged in the | + | Probewedge.jpg | A Probe wedged in the 5 km deep lava well at the north pole. |
Moho_flyby.png | A probe performing a Moho flyby. | Moho_flyby.png | A probe performing a Moho flyby. | ||
BillSmile.png | Bill Kerman having the time of his life wedged in the northern hole | BillSmile.png | Bill Kerman having the time of his life wedged in the northern hole | ||
Revision as of 02:16, 7 April 2014
Moho is the innermost planet of the Kerbol star system and the Mercury analogue for Kerbal Space Program. It resembles Dres and Eeloo by lacking an atmosphere or natural satellites. As of 0.18, it is no longer tidally locked to Kerbol.
Moho's slightly inclined and eccentric orbit, lack of atmosphere (for aerobraking) and moons (for gravity assists) impede encountering and orbital capture.
Contents
In-game Description
| “ | Moho figures in Kerbal mythology as a fiery place with oceans of flowing lava. In reality however, its much less interesting. Scientists speculate about possible ways to make it awesome like in the stories. Some of those ideas have led to new breakthroughs in aerospace technology. — Kerbal Astronomical Society |
” |
Naming
Moho is also the name for the outermost layer of molten rock that makes up the mantle (that layer was the target of Project Mohole). It may have been named by Kerbal astronomers who, according to its in-game description, believed it to be flowing with rivers and oceans of lava.
Topography
Moho's surface ranges from light brown highlands to dark brown Maria. Its highest point is in its northern hemisphere at an altitude of 6817 m. Moho's heavy cratering, though less than that of the moons of Kerbin and Jool, suggests erosion. Tidal friction with Kerbol most likely causes airless Moho's erosion by inducing volcanic periods that fill craters(citation needed). The volcanism of Moho being removed in 0.18 proves that Moho's volcanism is periodic because Moho's volcanism — which likely occurs on a geological timescale — must have been discovered just before Moho stopped being volcanic.
Moho has brown-colored smooth basins. These basins are likely the product of volcanism.
Moho has two very deep wells at its geographic north and south poles. Current analysis and probe exploration have revealed the north crater to be more than five kilometers deep; however, the probe crashed into the ever narrowing canyon walls before reaching the very bottom. A set of three probes was then sent to properly determine the depth to within 100 meters. The final analysis found the depth of the northern well to be around 4.6 km deep after the final probe reached the very bottom intact.[1] These wells may be dormant volcanic tubes. Further analysis of the canyon walls is needed for a final answer. These holes, often called Moholes, may be a reference to Project Mohole.
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
| Time warp | Minimum Altitude |
|---|---|
| 1× | Any |
| 5× | 10 000 m |
| 10× | 10 000 m |
| 50× | 30 000 m |
| 100× | 50 000 m |
| 1 000× | 100 000 m |
| 10 000× | 200 000 m |
| 100 000× | 300 000 m |
Solar System Counterpart
It appears that Moho is the Kerbol System analog of the planet Mercury. Both share a similar cratered landscape, like most bodies with little to no atmosphere. Both planets are also the closest ones to their respective stars and are lacking of natural satellites. On the other hand Moho has a brown texture, but Mercury is grey to dark grey. In addition, Mercury has at least very tenuous atmosphere of about 10⁻¹³ kPa while Moho has no atmosphere. Although a pressure of only 10⁻¹³ kPa (≃ 10⁻¹⁵ atm) wouldn't be measureable by the PresMat Barometer.
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 Probe wedged in the 5 km deep lava well at the north pole.
A probe performing a Moho flyby.
Bill Kerman having the time of his life wedged in the northern hole
Hanny Kerman wedged in the Northern Mohole sideways. Lots of orientation jittering was observed.
Changes
- New, procedurally generated, textures added, with higher detail craters.
- Entirely changed more cratered surface.
- Color changed from red to brown.
- No more superheated atmosphere.
- No longer tidally locked.
- Mass reduced.
- Initial Release
Notes
- ↑ “Moho's Secrets Revealed” in the forums measuring the depth of the northern pit.
