Moho

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Revision as of 14:34, 4 August 2013 by Fifi (talk | contribs) (Connected information about Mohorovičić discontinuity with the Project Mohole information. I'm not sure how to organise both notes (mine and Fenderzilla).)
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Moho/Data

Moho is the innermost planet of the Kerbol star system and the Mercury analogue for Kerbal Space Program. It is similar to Dres and Eeloo in that it has no atmosphere and no natural satellites. As of 0.18, it is no longer tidally locked to Kerbol.

Moho has a slightly eccentric and inclined orbit, making it hard to reach. Furthermore, its lack of atmosphere (for aerobraking) and moons (for gravity assists) make it difficult to stop upon reaching it. These factors make a mission to Moho quite challenging.

Topography

Moho's surface ranges from light brown highlands to dark brown Maria. It is heavily cratered, but less so than the moons of Kerbin and Jool, suggesting erosion. Because of the lack of an atmosphere on Moho, the primary suspect of Moho's erosion is volcanism. It is probable that Moho undergoes volcanic periods, induced by tidal friction with Kerbol. The fact that this occurs in periods, likely on a geologic timescale, is proven in that volcanism of Moho was removed in 0.18. It must have been discovered just before it stopped being volcanic. The vulcanism would lead to the filling up of craters.

Moho has two very deep wells at the geographic north and south pole of a, as yet, undetermined depth. Current analysis and probes dropped into the crater at the north pole revealed it to be more than 5 km deep before the probe crashed into the ever narrowing canyon walls. It is possible that these are volcanic tubes that are as of this moment dormant. Further analysis of the canyon walls is needed before a definitive answer can be presented. These holes, often called Moholes, may be a reference to Project Mohole.

Orbital Statistics

Mohosynchronous and semi-synchronous orbits are not possible — they would require altitudes of 0.00 m and 0.00 m respectively, outside of Moho's sphere of influence.

Reference Frames

Time warp Minimum Altitude
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

Moho is the Kerbol System Mercury analog.

  • Moho and Mercury share a similar, cratered landscape, similar to most bodies with little to no atmosphere. They are both the closest planet to their respective Sun, and neither has a natural satellite.
  • Unlike Mercury, Moho has a brown texture while Mercury itself has a grey to dark grey color. In addition, Mercury has a very tenuous atmosphere, whereas Moho has no atmosphere.

Gallery

Changes

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

  • 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.