Difference between revisions of "Laythe"

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== Atmosphere ==
 
== Atmosphere ==
Laythe's [[atmosphere]] begins at 50,000 meters and is 40% thinner than Kerbin's. It is the only moon in the game which has an atmosphere.
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Laythe has an [[atmosphere]] thick enough and warm enough to support liquid water on its surface.  The atmosphere has a mass of approximately 2.4×10<sup>16</sup> kilograms, a sea level pressure of 60.795 kilopascals (0.6 atmospheres), and a depth of 50,000 meters.  Compared to the atmsophere of Kerbin, Laythe's atmosphere has 1/2 the mass and 3/5<sup>ths</sup> the surface pressure. The sea level pressure on Laythe is equivalent to that at an altitude of 3,287 m on Kerbin. The atmosphere contains oxygen and can support combustion; however, it is unbreathable by Kerbals. Laythe is the only moon in the game that has an atmosphere.
 +
 
 +
The average [[w:Molecular_mass|molecular weight]] of Laythe air is 28.9644 g/mol, and its [[w:Heat_capacity_ratio|adiabatic index]] is 1.40.  These values suggest a compostion very similar to Kerbin, and to Earth — likely nitrogen and oxygen.
 +
 
 +
Like all other atmospheres in the game, Laythe'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 at various altitudes above sea level.  
  
Like all other atmospheres in the game, Laythe's atmosphere fades exponentially with increasing altitude (with a scale height of 4000 m). In general, the atmospheric pressure on Laythe at an altitude expressed in meters is:<ref>A [[LV-N Atomic Rocket Motor]] has a specific impulse of 220 in 1 atm, 800 in vacuum, and the following at various Laythe altitudes:
 
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
| altitude (m)    ||  600 ||  1464 ||  1800 ||  2238 ||  2698 ||  3296 ||  4104 || 16435
 
 
|-
 
|-
| specific impulse || 400.7 || 478.2 || 504.2 || 534.8 || 563.7 || 596.5 || 633.7 || 792.4
+
! Altitude (m) !! Pressure (Pa)
|}</ref>
+
|-
 +
| 0 || 60 795
 +
|-
 +
| 2 500 || 47 153
 +
|-
 +
| 5 000 || 34 495
 +
|-
 +
| 7 500 || 24 914
 +
|-
 +
| 10 000 || 17 786
 +
|-
 +
| 15 000 || 9 351
 +
|-
 +
| 20 000 || 4 782
 +
|-
 +
| 25 000 || 2 671
 +
|-
 +
| 30 000 || 1 507
 +
|-
 +
| 40 000 || 363.5
 +
|-
 +
| 50 000 || 0
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
The variation of temperature with height suggests the presence of an earthlike [[w:Troposphere|troposphere]], [[w:Stratosphere|stratosphere]] and [[w:Mesosphere|mesosphere]]. The warm surface temperatures rapidly decrease as the alitude increases to 5 km.  The stratospheric region, where temperature rises as altitude increases, spans the region between the altitudes of 10 km and 22 km.
  
:<math>p_l = 0.8\ e^{-altitude/4000}</math>
+
Air temperatures vary with latitude and time of day.  At the equator, sea level temperatures vary between a nighttime low of 9 <sup>o</sup>C and a daytime high of 15 <sup>o</sup>C.  Mid-latitudes are only slightly cooler than the equatorial zone — at latitudes below 63<sup>o</sup>, the sea level temperature never drops below 0 <sup>o</sup>C. At the poles, the temperature varies between -26 <sup>o</sup>C and -24 <sup>o</sup>C.  The globally averaged sea level temperature is approximately 9 <sup>o</sup>C.  Since Laythe has no axial tilt, there are no seasonal temperature variations.
  
With proper [[aerobraking]] near Laythe and Jool, reaching Laythe may require the least delta-V of all of Jool's moons. When approaching Jool on a Hohmann transfer orbit from Kerbin, aerobraking with a Jool periapsis of 119.5&nbsp;km will put your apoapsis roughly near Laythe's orbit.
+
Laythe's surface temperatures are warmer than would be expected based on its distance from the sun. This suggests the possibility that Laythe generates its own heat, likely [[w:Tidal_heating|tidal heating]].
  
Another way is to approach Laythe directly, utilizing proper timing and making orbital adjustments on the way to Jool. Laythe's orbital period makes it an easy target to time and will have required less delta-v on arrival (only 2000&nbsp;m/s). As such, aerobraking on Laythe is less extreme than on Jool.  
+
=== Atmospheric Flight ===
 +
The thickness of Laythe's atmosphere makes it suitable for [[aerobraking]] and the use of [[parachute]]s.
  
Landing on higher points of Laythe's surface has to be done with the help of retro-burns, as parachutes alone will not suffice to sufficiently lower a craft's velocity for landing.
+
With proper aerobraking near Laythe and Jool, reaching Laythe may require the least ΔV of all of Jool's moons.  Another way is to approach Laythe directly, utilizing proper timing and making orbital adjustments on the way to Jool.  Laythe's orbital period makes it an easy target to time and will have required less Δv on arrival (only 2000 m/s). As such, aerobraking on Laythe is less extreme than on Jool.  
  
Jet engines work in Laythe's atmosphere due to the presence of oxygen. However, the air-intake efficiency is lower there.  
+
Landing on higher points of Laythe's surface has to be done with the help of retro-burns, as parachutes alone will not suffice to sufficiently lower a craft's velocity for landing.  
  
Most of Laythe's surface is ocean. There are many craters on its surface, and some of the largest features it has may be related to impacts. Other features on the surface, such as small canyons, may have been carved out by flowing water that either came up through the surface or fell as rain when the planet was warmer. <!-- where is this stated? -->
+
[[Jet_engine|Jet engines]] work in Laythe's atmosphere due to the presence of oxygen. However, the air-intake efficiency is lower there.
  
 
== Science ==
 
== Science ==

Revision as of 20:14, 21 May 2015

Laythe
Laythe
Laythe as seen from orbit.
Moon of Jool
Orbital Characteristics
Semi-major axis 27 184 000 m [Note 1]
Apoapsis 27 184 000 m [Note 1]
Periapsis 27 184 000 m [Note 1]
Orbital eccentricity 0
Orbital inclination 0 °
Argument of periapsis 0 °
Longitude of the ascending node 0 °
Mean anomaly 3.14 rad (at 0s UT)
Sidereal orbital period 52 981 s
2 d 2 h 43 m 0.9 s
Synodic orbital period 53 007.7 s
Orbital velocity 3 224 m/s
Longest time eclipsed 3 754 s
Physical Characteristics
Equatorial radius 500 000 m
Equatorial circumference 3 141 593 m
Surface area 3.1415927×1012 m2
Mass 2.9397311×1022 kg
Standard gravitational parameter 1.9620000×1012 m3/s2
Density 56 144.728 kg/m3
Surface gravity 7.85 m/s2 (0.8 g)
Escape velocity 2 801.43 m/s
Sidereal rotation period 52 980.879 s
2 d 2 h 43 m 0.9 s
Sidereal rotational velocity 59.297 m/s
Synchronous orbit Outside sphere of influence
Sphere of influence 3 723 645.8 m [Note 1]
Atmospheric Characteristics
Atmosphere present Yes
Atmospheric pressure 60.7950 kPa
0.6 atm
Atmospheric height 50 000 m
6.0×10-7 atm
Temperaturemin -74.15 °C 199 K
Temperaturemax 3.85 °C 277 K
Oxygen present Yes
Scientific multiplier
Surface 14
Splashed 12
Lower atmosphere 11
Upper atmosphere 10
Near space 9
Outer space 8
Recovery 8

  1. Jump up to: 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 The distances are given from the body's center, not from the surface (unlike ingame)

Laythe is the first of the five natural satellites of Jool. Although mostly covered in seas, Laythe has numerous rocky, sandy islands. Laythe is tidally locked to Jool. Synchronous orbits around Laythe are not possible, as they would lie outside of its SOI, at a radius of 5,186,399 meters. A circular archipelago prominent in surface maps of the moon suggests that Laythe suffered a massive impact in its distant past.

Achieving a stable orbit around Laythe from sea level requires a delta-V of ≈2800 m/s.

Laythe has no real-world analogue. In the real-world Jupiter system, the moons Ganymede, Europa and Io form a group with an orbital resonance just like KSP's Tylo, Vall and Laythe. But while Tylo and Vall have a certain resemblance to their real-life counterparts, Laythe is very unlike the volcanic, atmosphere-less, dry Io. Instead, the presence of a liquid ocean - plus a dense atmosphere - makes Laythe more similar to the Saturnian moon, Titan. Laythe also seems very similar to what happened to Europa in 2010: Odyssey Two.

Although Laythe has liquid water on its surface, its polar regions have temperatures below zero degrees Celsius. This means that Laythe's oceans must contain another compound, most likely ionic, such as salt. Surface samples indicate that much salt is present on Laythe's surface. Unlike that of Kerbin, the air cannot be breathed by Kerbals (according to EVA reports). It is therefore possible that there are also high concentrations of salt in the air, as well as on the surface, assuming that the salt is sodium chloride. The apparent toxicity of Laythe's atmosphere, despite being similar in composition to Kerbin's, may also be a reference to the film Avatar - the moon Pandora is very similar to Earth, but its atmosphere is too toxic for humans to inhale, and the moon also orbits a gas giant, like Laythe. Laythe may also be a reference to the planet Damogran from the radio/tv/book/movie series The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, as they are not entirely unlike one another.

According to former developer NovaSilisko, Laythe was planned to have volcanic, probably cryovolcanic, activity and high radiation levels in later versions, making it a much more hostile moon than in 0.23.[1][2]

In-game Description

When Laythe was first discovered, it was not entered in the records because the scientist in charge thought he was looking at Kerbin.

Luckily this error was corrected when a plucky intern informed him that telescopes don’t work that way.

The intern was shortly afterwards promoted and moved to the experimental rocket testing program.

Kerbal Astronomical Society

Biomes

Laythe has 4 biomes. Laythe exists of a huge ocean, called The Sagen Sea, with some small Dunes and Shores biomes. It also has a Poles biome. There is also a rumour of a biome called "Cresent Bay", but as of 0.90, until proven otherwise, it's not reachable.

Biome list

Laythe In-game biome map as of 1.2
  • Poles
  • Shores
  • Dunes
  • The Sagen Sea

Atmosphere

Laythe has an atmosphere thick enough and warm enough to support liquid water on its surface. The atmosphere has a mass of approximately 2.4×1016 kilograms, a sea level pressure of 60.795 kilopascals (0.6 atmospheres), and a depth of 50,000 meters. Compared to the atmsophere of Kerbin, Laythe's atmosphere has 1/2 the mass and 3/5ths the surface pressure. The sea level pressure on Laythe is equivalent to that at an altitude of 3,287 m on Kerbin. The atmosphere contains oxygen and can support combustion; however, it is unbreathable by Kerbals. Laythe is the only moon in the game that has an atmosphere.

The average molecular weight of Laythe air is 28.9644 g/mol, and its adiabatic index is 1.40. These values suggest a compostion very similar to Kerbin, and to Earth — likely nitrogen and oxygen.

Like all other atmospheres in the game, Laythe's atmosphere fades exponentially as altitude increases. The scale height varies with altitude, which is a change from pre-1.0 versions of the game. The pressure-altitude profile is globally constant and independent of temperature. The following table gives the atmospheric pressure at various altitudes above sea level.

Altitude (m) Pressure (Pa)
0 60 795
2 500 47 153
5 000 34 495
7 500 24 914
10 000 17 786
15 000 9 351
20 000 4 782
25 000 2 671
30 000 1 507
40 000 363.5
50 000 0

The variation of temperature with height suggests the presence of an earthlike troposphere, stratosphere and mesosphere. The warm surface temperatures rapidly decrease as the alitude increases to 5 km. The stratospheric region, where temperature rises as altitude increases, spans the region between the altitudes of 10 km and 22 km.

Air temperatures vary with latitude and time of day. At the equator, sea level temperatures vary between a nighttime low of 9 oC and a daytime high of 15 oC. Mid-latitudes are only slightly cooler than the equatorial zone — at latitudes below 63o, the sea level temperature never drops below 0 oC. At the poles, the temperature varies between -26 oC and -24 oC. The globally averaged sea level temperature is approximately 9 oC. Since Laythe has no axial tilt, there are no seasonal temperature variations.

Laythe's surface temperatures are warmer than would be expected based on its distance from the sun. This suggests the possibility that Laythe generates its own heat, likely tidal heating.

Atmospheric Flight

The thickness of Laythe's atmosphere makes it suitable for aerobraking and the use of parachutes.

With proper aerobraking near Laythe and Jool, reaching Laythe may require the least ΔV of all of Jool's moons. Another way is to approach Laythe directly, utilizing proper timing and making orbital adjustments on the way to Jool. Laythe's orbital period makes it an easy target to time and will have required less Δv on arrival (only 2000 m/s). As such, aerobraking on Laythe is less extreme than on Jool.

Landing on higher points of Laythe's surface has to be done with the help of retro-burns, as parachutes alone will not suffice to sufficiently lower a craft's velocity for landing.

Jet engines work in Laythe's atmosphere due to the presence of oxygen. However, the air-intake efficiency is lower there.

Science

Laythe is the most science-rich body in the Joolean moon system. Even though Tylo has a slightly higher science multiplier for both surface and orbit, Laythe's atmosphere and oceans allow a lot more experiments to be performed, which means the total science output is higher.

Reference Frames

Time warp Minimum Altitude
Any
5× 50 000 m (above the atmosphere)
10× 50 000 m (above the atmosphere)
50× 60 000 m
100× 120 000 m
1 000× 240 000 m
10 000× 480 000 m
100 000× 600 000 m

Gallery

Changes

1.0
  • Atmosphere reduced
0.90
  • Added biomes
0.17
  • Initial Release

Notes

  1. Jump up Forumpost from NovaSilisko
  2. Jump up Post from NovaSilisko