Skathi

Skathi is a fascinating moon in our Solar System that has captured the attention of astronomers and space enthusiasts alike. With a Skathi radius of 3 km, making it 2123.7× smaller than Earth's size, this celestial body presents unique characteristics that distinguish it from other objects in our cosmic neighborhood. Positioned at an average distance of 1.55e+7 km (0.104 AU) from the Sun, Skathi occupies a significant place in the Solar System's architecture. As a moon, Skathi demonstrates the incredible diversity of natural satellites that orbit larger celestial bodies throughout our Solar System.

The Skathi physical characteristics reveal a world of remarkable dimensions and properties. The Skathi radius measures 3 km, making it 2123.7× smaller than Earth's size. The Skathi mass of 3.50e+14 kg represents 17062857142.9× smaller than Earth's mass, giving this world substantial gravitational influence.

The Skathi orbit reveals fascinating details about its journey around the Sun and its relationship to other Solar System objects. The Skathi orbit has a semimajor axis of 1.55e+7 km (0.104 AU), placing it 9.6× smaller than Earth's distance from the Sun. The Skathi orbit is moderately elliptical with an eccentricity of 0.27 (16.2× Earth's orbital eccentricity), creating noticeable seasonal variations in solar radiation. The Skathi orbit takes 0.20 hours to complete (43337.2× smaller than Earth's orbital period), defining the length of its year. The orbital inclination of 148.5° indicates how much the Skathi orbit is tilted relative to the Solar System's ecliptic plane. This high inclination suggests Skathi may have experienced significant gravitational perturbations or formed in a different region of the Solar System.

The Skathi rotation and axial orientation provide crucial insights into its daily and seasonal cycles, as well as its orbital dynamics. The Skathi axial tilt of 0° determines the intensity and nature of seasonal variations. With minimal axial tilt, Skathi experiences virtually no seasonal changes, maintaining relatively constant temperatures throughout its year. The orbital orientation parameters reveal additional details about Skathi's position in space. The mean anomaly of 0° indicates the planet's current position in its orbit relative to its perihelion. The argument of periapsis of 0° shows how the orbit's orientation changes over time due to gravitational perturbations. The longitude of ascending node of 0° defines the reference point where the orbit crosses the ecliptic plane.

The Skathi temperature and atmospheric conditions are fundamental to understanding its habitability and environmental characteristics. The Skathi average temperature of 0.0 K (-273.1 °C) (-459.7°F) provides the baseline for understanding its climate. These extremely cold temperatures make Skathi inhospitable to life as we know it, with any atmosphere likely frozen solid on the surface. Compared to Earth's average temperature of 15°C (59°F), Skathi presents a dramatically different thermal environment. Being closer to the Sun than Earth, Skathi receives more intense solar radiation, contributing to its temperature profile. The elliptical orbit creates significant temperature variations throughout the year, with extreme seasonal changes.

The Skathi escape velocity and shape characteristics reveal important details about its gravitational field and rotational dynamics. The Skathi escape velocity of 0 m/s determines how easily objects can break free from its gravitational pull. This relatively low escape velocity means that gases and light molecules can easily escape into space, making it difficult for Skathi to retain a substantial atmosphere. The Skathi flattening of 0.0000% indicates how much the planet's rotation affects its shape. This minimal flattening suggests a nearly spherical shape, indicating either slow rotation or a very rigid internal structure.