Difference between revisions of "Pol"

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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 for inexperienced pilots due to the hazardous terrain with mountains, canyons, 45° slopes and jagged rocks, as well as its tiny sphere of influence.  
 
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 for inexperienced pilots due to the hazardous terrain with mountains, canyons, 45° slopes and jagged rocks, as well as its tiny sphere of influence.  
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Pol was added in 0.18. It was not part of the original Joolian system when it was released, along with all the other planets, except the Kerbin system, in 0.17.
  
 
== In-game Description ==
 
== In-game Description ==
  
 
{{Quote
 
{{Quote
 
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|This moon was especially hard to spot, as it looks just like a pollen grain, particularly when observed through telescopes based near dusty fields.<br />
|This moon was especially hard to spot, as it looks just like a pollen grain, particularly when observed through telescopes based near dusty fields. <br><br> 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.
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<br />
 
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''Pol was finally discovered when someone decided to write down the location of the pollen, after having given up on yet another failed attempt to be rid of the smudge.''
 
|[[Kerbal Astronomical Society]]}}
 
|[[Kerbal Astronomical Society]]}}
  
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== Topography ==
 
== Topography ==
[[File:Pol with Jool and moons.png|thumbnail|left|Pol's uneven surface with Jool and Laythe in the background.]]
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[[File:Pol with Jool and moons.png|thumbnail|left|Pol's uneven surface with Jool and and its three large moons 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&nbsp;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.  
 
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&nbsp;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.  
  
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=== Biome list ===
 
=== Biome list ===
{{Biome list|
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{|
 +
| style="vertical-align:middle; text-align:center;" |
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[[File:Pol Biome Map 1.2.1.png|thumb|left|Pol biome map as of 1.2.1]]
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|
 
* Poles
 
* Poles
 
* Lowlands
 
* Lowlands
 
* Midlands
 
* Midlands
* Highlands}}
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* Highlands
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|}
  
 
== Reference Frames ==
 
== Reference Frames ==
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== Trivia ==
 
== 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".
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* 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 that it was 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.
 
* Pol is always right.
 
  
 
== Gallery ==
 
== Gallery ==
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File:Pol Adventure.png | A motion image of a Kerbal astronaut enjoying Pol's outrageously low gravity.
 
File:Pol Adventure.png | A motion image of a Kerbal astronaut enjoying Pol's outrageously low gravity.
 
File:Pol_800_map.gif  | A topographic height map of Pol as of Version 0.18.1 made with the ISA MapSat plugin.
 
File:Pol_800_map.gif  | A topographic height map of Pol as of Version 0.18.1 made with the ISA MapSat plugin.
File:Tumbling probe on Pol.png | A probe falling down a ridiculously steep hill on Pol. This is most likely at 0 degrees N, 57 degrees W.
 
 
File:Small lander on Pol.png | A successful landing on Pol.
 
File:Small lander on Pol.png | A successful landing on Pol.
 
File:Sun from lander on Pol.png | A probe lander looking into a dark, sinister looking mountain spire.
 
File:Sun from lander on Pol.png | A probe lander looking into a dark, sinister looking mountain spire.
 
File:Lander on Pol's cliff.png  | Spiky rocks on Pol's surface.
 
File:Lander on Pol's cliff.png  | Spiky rocks on Pol's surface.
 
File:PolOrbit.png      | Jebediah Kerman floating in front of a large spacecraft while orbiting Pol. In the background you can see Jool.
 
File:PolOrbit.png      | Jebediah Kerman floating in front of a large spacecraft while orbiting Pol. In the background you can see Jool.
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File:Landing On Pol.png      | Two Kerbals and a lander on Pol.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  

Revision as of 15:30, 14 September 2017

Pol
Pol
Pol as seen from orbit.
Moon of Jool
Orbital Characteristics
Semi-major axis 179 890 000 m [Note 1]
Apoapsis 210 624 207 m [Note 1]
Periapsis 149 155 794 m [Note 1]
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 2 415.08 km
Sphere of influence 1 042 138.9 m [Note 1]
Atmospheric Characteristics
Atmosphere present No
Scientific multiplier
Surface 12
Splashed N/A
Near space 9
Outer space 8
Recovery 8

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

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 for inexperienced pilots due to the hazardous terrain with mountains, canyons, 45° slopes and jagged rocks, as well as its tiny sphere of influence.

Pol was added in 0.18. It was not part of the original Joolian system when it was released, along with all the other planets, except the Kerbin system, in 0.17.

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 having 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 and its three large moons 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 biome map as of 1.2.1
  • Poles
  • Lowlands
  • Midlands
  • Highlands

Reference Frames

Time warp Minimum Altitude
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 that it was a grain of pollen. Pol's name may refer to this uncanny resemblance, even though the kerbal word for pollen would actually be "Nelop".

Gallery

Changes

0.90
  • Added biomes
0.18.2
  • Mass increased by ~3.16x, semi-major axis increased.
0.18
  • Initial Release