Difference between revisions of "Pol"

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{{:Pol/Data}}
 
{{:Pol/Data}}
  
'''Pol''' is the smallest of the five [[w:Natural satellite|natural satellites]] of [[Jool]]. Pol is in a large orbit, with moderate eccentricity and inclination, which indicates it may be a captured asteroid, like [[Gilly]] and [[Bop]]. The terrain is (proportionally) quite rough, with large ridges that make it resemble a pollen grain. The tallest mountains are very roughly 3-4 km high. The moon is easy to land on due to its extremely low gravity, which makes bipropellant engines somewhat redundant - landing can be completed with RCS thrusters only. Pol is tidally locked to [[Jool]]. Landing on pol may be difficult to inexperienced pilots due to the hazardous terrain with mountains, canyons, etc. with 45° drops and jagged rocks, as well as its tiny sphere of influence.  
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'''Pol''' is the smallest of the five [[w:Natural satellite|natural satellites]] of [[Jool]]. The terrain is (proportionally) quite rough, with large ridges that make it resemble a pollen grain.  
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Pol has the second-lowest surface gravity in the [[Kerbol]] system, and only [[Eve]]'s moon [[Gilly]] is less massive. This makes bipropellant engines on a lander somewhat redundant - 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, etc. with 45° drops and jagged rocks, as well as its tiny sphere of influence.
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== Orbit ==
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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 ==
 
== Topography ==
 
[[File:Screenshot115.png|thumbnail|left|Pol's uneven surface with Jool and Laythe in the backround.]]
 
[[File:Screenshot115.png|thumbnail|left|Pol's uneven surface with Jool and Laythe in the backround.]]
Pol has many unique characteristics. For one, it has many spiked mountains and very large cliffs that can reach up to 4km high, and many kilometers wide. Its surface appears to be composed of various phosphoric or sulfuric compounds and is covered in peculiar spire-shaped rocks. Pol has the second-lowest surface gravity in the [[Kerbol]] system, and only [[Eve]]'s moon [[Gilly]] is less massive. Pol has a slightly inclined orbit, and it is the furthest body away from [[Jool]], suggesting that it is a captured asteroid. Because of its low gravity, Pol has a rough and uneven surface that resembles a deliciously moldy orange.
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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 4km 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.  
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But the surface of Pol is still not as irregular as that of [[Bop]], despite lower gravity. This suggests volcanic activity that re-paved the surface, or that Pol was formed via low-velocity accretion at relatively low temperatures.
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A rover is hard to drive on the surface of Pol because of the uneven terrain and low gravity
  
 
<div style="clear:left;"></div><!-- Place Reference Frames below image of Topography -->
 
<div style="clear:left;"></div><!-- Place Reference Frames below image of Topography -->
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An orbit under 3000 meters is unwise, as it will almost always result in colliding with a mountain, spire, or plateau.
 
An orbit under 3000 meters is unwise, as it will almost always result in colliding with a mountain, spire, or plateau.
 
== Surface Texture ==
 
 
The surface of Pol is wrinkled and uneven. Many mountain ranges are circular, and form a bowl shaped valley. A rover is hard to drive on the surface of Pol because of the uneven terrain and low gravity. The surface color ranges from brown over pale yellow to pale green. The colorization may come from colladiom, various ices, phosphorous, sulfuric compounds, iron, arsenic, chromium or carbon. Pol has a smooth surface compared to [[Bop]], despite lower gravity. This suggests volcanic activity that re-paved the surface, or that Pol was formed via low-velocity accretion at relatively low temperatures.
 
 
When terrain scatters are on, Pol's surface is sprinkled with spiky rocks.
 
  
 
== Gallery ==
 
== Gallery ==

Revision as of 14:23, 15 May 2013

Pol/Data

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, and only Eve's moon Gilly is less massive. This makes bipropellant engines on a lander somewhat redundant - 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, etc. with 45° drops and jagged rocks, as well as its tiny sphere of influence.

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

File:Screenshot115.png
Pol's uneven surface with Jool and Laythe in the backround.

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 4km 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.

But the surface of Pol is still not as irregular as that of Bop, despite 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 hard to drive on the surface of Pol because of the uneven terrain and low gravity

Reference Frames

Template:ReferenceFrames

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

Gallery

Changes

0.18.2
  • Mass increased by ~3.16x, semi-major axis increased.
0.18
  • Initial Release

Trivia

  • Pol's name is likely derived from its uncanny resemblance to a grain of pollen.
  • 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.

Notes