Pol

Pol
Pol as seen from orbit.
Moon of Jool
Orbital Characteristics
Semi-major axis		179 890 000 m
Apoapsis		210 624 207 m
Periapsis		149 155 794 m
Orbital eccentricity		0.171
Orbital inclination		4.25 °
Argument of periapsis		15 °
Longitude of the ascending node		2 °
Mean anomaly		0.9 rad (at 0s UT)
Sidereal orbital period		901 903 s
		41 d 4 h 31 m 42.6 s
Synodic orbital period		909 742.2 s
Orbital velocity		1 055 - 1 489 m/s
Longest time eclipsed		11 381 s
Physical Characteristics
Equatorial radius		44 000 m
Equatorial circumference		276 460 m
Surface area		2.4328494×1010 m2
Mass		1.0813507×1019 kg
Standard gravitational parameter		7.2170208×108 m3/s2
Density		30 305.392 kg/m3
Surface gravity		0.373 m/s2 (0.038 g)
Escape velocity		181.12 m/s
Sidereal rotation period		901 902.62 s
		41 d 4 h 31 m 42.6 s
Sidereal rotational velocity		0.30653 m/s
Synchronous orbit		Outside sphere of influence
Sphere of influence		1 042 138.9 m
Atmospheric Characteristics
Atmosphere present		No
Scientific multiplier
Surface		12
Splashed		N/A
Near space		9
Outer space		8
Recovery		8

Pol is the smallest of the five natural satellites of Jool. The terrain is proportionally quite rough, with large ridges that make it resemble a pollen grain.

Pol has the second-lowest surface gravity in the Kerbol system: only Eve's moon Gilly is less massive. This makes bipropellant engines on a lander somewhat unnecessary, as landing can be completed with RCS thrusters only. Landing on Pol may still be difficult to inexperienced pilots due to the hazardous terrain with mountains, canyons, 45° slopes and jagged rocks, as well as its tiny sphere of influence.

In-game Description

“

This moon was especially hard to spot, as it looks just like a pollen grain, particularly when observed through telescopes based near dusty fields. Pol was finally discovered when someone decided to write down the location of the pollen, after given up on yet another failed attempt to be rid of the smudge. — Kerbal Astronomical Society

”

Orbit

Pol is in a large orbit around Jool with moderate eccentricity and inclination, which indicates it may be a captured asteroid like Gilly and Bop. Pol is tidally locked to Jool.

Topography

Pol's uneven surface with Jool and Laythe in the background.

Pol has many unique characteristics. The surface is wrinkled and uneven. It has many spiked mountains and very large cliffs that can reach up to 4 km high, and many kilometers wide. Many mountain ranges are circular and form bowl-shaped valleys. Its surface color ranges from brown over pale yellow to pale green. It appears to be composed of various phosphoric or sulfuric compounds and is covered in peculiar spire-shaped rocks.

Although very uneven, the surface of Pol is still not as irregular as that of Bop, despite its lower gravity. This suggests volcanic activity that re-paved the surface, or that Pol was formed via low-velocity accretion at relatively low temperatures.

A rover is difficult to drive on the surface of Pol because of the uneven terrain and low gravity.

The terrain scatter on Pol looks a bit like spiky, twisted rocks.

Biomes

Pol has 4 biomes.

Biome list

Pol In-game biome map as of 1.2

Poles Lowlands Midlands Highlands

Reference Frames

Time warp	Minimum Altitude
1×	Any
5×	5 000 m
10×	5 000 m
50×	5 000 m
100×	8 000 m
1 000×	12 000 m
10 000×	30 000 m
100 000×	90 000 m

An orbit under 3000 meters is unwise, as it will almost always result in colliding with a mountain, spire, or plateau.

Trivia

• According to its ingame description it was a long time before Pol was officially discovered, as astronomers kept trying to wipe it off their telescopes, thinking it a grain of pollen. Pol's name may refer to this uncanny resemblance, even though the kerbal word for pollen would actually be "Nelop".
• Pol's name may or may not have anything to do with the T.V. show The Incredible Dr. Pol on the National Geographic channel.

Gallery

• 

  A successful landing of a user created RCS Lander on Pol.

• 

  A map view of Pol contrasted to Jool.

• 

  A motion image of a Kerbal astronaut enjoying Pol's outrageously low gravity.

• 

  A topographic height map of Pol as of Version 0.18.1 made with the ISA MapSat plugin.

• 

  A probe falling down a ridiculously steep hill on Pol.

• 

  A successful landing on Pol.

• 

  A probe lander looking into a dark, sinister looking mountain spire.

• 

  Spiky rocks on Pol's surface.

• 

  Jebediah Kerman floating in front of a large spacecraft while orbiting Pol. In the background you can see Jool.

Changes

0.90

• Added biomes

0.18.2

• Mass increased by ~3.16x, semi-major axis increased.

0.18

• Initial Release