Polta

Polta
Polta as seen from orbit.
Moon of Urlum
Orbital Characteristics
Semi-major axis		11 727 895 m
Apoapsis		11 745 487 m
Periapsis		11 710 303 m
Orbital eccentricity		0.002
Orbital inclination		2.45 °
Argument of periapsis		60 °
Longitude of the ascending node		40 °
Mean anomaly		1.521 rad (at 0s UT)
Sidereal orbital period		73 017 s
		3 d 2 h 16 m 57.1 s
Synodic orbital period		73 024.3 s
Orbital velocity		1 008 - 1 011 m/s
Longest time eclipsed		4 346 s
Physical Characteristics
Equatorial radius		220 000 m
Equatorial circumference		1 382 301 m
Surface area		6.0821234×1011 m2
Mass		1.3512267×1021 kg
Standard gravitational parameter		9.0181953×1010 m3/s2
Density		30 295.043 kg/m3
Surface gravity		1.86 m/s2 (0.19 g)
Escape velocity		905.45 m/s
Sidereal rotation period		73 017.111 s
		3 d 2 h 16 m 57.1 s
Sidereal rotational velocity		18.931 m/s
Synchronous orbit		2 080.75 km
Sphere of influence		1 661 114.9 m
Atmospheric Characteristics
Atmosphere present		× No
Scientific multiplier
Surface		12
Splashed		N/A
Near space		10
Outer space		9
Recovery		9

Polta is a moon of Urlum, and shares its orbit with Priax. It is perhaps best known for its striking, swirly surface colouring of varying hues of grey, brown and turquoise. Polta has no real-world analogue.

In-Game Description

“

Polta's mint-colored appearance immediately reminded astronomers of Minmus, but it was quickly realized that that was still in orbit of Kerbin and this thus had to be another body. Polta's surface is made of smooth and swirling terrain forms, most likely a result of tidal heating caused by the nearby Urlum. — Kerbal Astronomical Society

”

Physical Properties

Polta is an icy body, with evidence of a sub-surface ocean. The green swirls of color on the surface may be made of the same material as the green gases on Tekto, which are speculated to be chlorine.

The internal structure of Polta, taken from the average density of the moon, indicate the following: An iron-nickel core with a radius of around 55 km, which internally heats the moon; a mantle of solid rock around 99 km thick; an ocean of ammonia and water about 44 km thick; and an icy surface or crust around 22 km thick.

The surface is littered with craters, and the ejected particles may contribute to the faint ring system of Urlum.

Orbit

Polta shares its orbit with Priax, a smaller moon of Urlum. This unique and interesting moon system occurs nowhere else in the game. These co-orbiting moons are referred to as trojan moons, which is defined by two objects sharing the same (or mostly the same) orbit, in the same orbital plane, but never collide due to their synchronized orbital periods, with Priax's positioning at Polta's L5 Lagrangian point keeping the configuration stable. The masses of both objects are perfectly balanced to allow each their own space within the orbital plane.

Biomes

Polta has a total of 11 biomes.

Biome list

Polta biome map

Nockmaar Foothills Zuev Hills Subotai Hills Bray Plateau Falkor Plains Salcedo Plains Arsonide Plains Eidilleg Valley Vultan Region Artyomka Region Jareth Labyrinth

Reference Frames

Time warp	Minimum Altitude
1×	Any
5×	4 125 m
10×	8 250 m
50×	16 500 m
100×	33 000 m
1 000×	66 000 m
10 000×	132 000 m
100 000×	264 000 m