Philolaches (planet)
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| Discovery | |||||||||||||||||
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| Discovered by | Sobersides Paterculus | ||||||||||||||||
| Discovery date | 30 December 1439 | ||||||||||||||||
| Designations | |||||||||||||||||
| Pronunciation | θɪloʊlɑtʃis | ||||||||||||||||
Named after | Saletrist god of fire | ||||||||||||||||
| Sanctus Stella BII | |||||||||||||||||
| Adjectives | Philolachian | ||||||||||||||||
| Orbital characteristics | |||||||||||||||||
| Epoch J2000 | |||||||||||||||||
| Aphelion | 0.366697 AU (54.86 million km) | ||||||||||||||||
| Perihelion | 0.369184 AU (55.23 million km) | ||||||||||||||||
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| 532.19 d | |||||||||||||||||
Average orbital speed | 67.23 km/s | ||||||||||||||||
| Inclination |
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| Known satellites | 18 | ||||||||||||||||
| Physical characteristics | |||||||||||||||||
| Flattening | 0.8137 | ||||||||||||||||
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| Volume |
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| Mass |
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Mean density |
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7.91 d | |||||||||||||||||
| −14.82° | |||||||||||||||||
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| Atmosphere | |||||||||||||||||
| Composition by volume |
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Philolaches (/θɪloʊlɑtʃis/) is the innermost planet in the Sanctus Stella system and warmest one, named after the Saletrist god of fire Philolaches. The scalding atmosphere primary consists of carbon dioxide and monoxide, with small traces of sulfur dioxide. At the surface it has a mean temperature of 693 °C, in part thanks to a dense atmosphere and numerous active volcanoes. Philolaches is classified as a terrestial planet, and harbors hundreds of thousands of craters, due to hundreds of meteorites that hit the planet, which also contributed to starting the geographic instability of the planet. Its largest crater, Cratera Lata, has a diameter of approximately 3,900 km.
With over 500 active volcanoes, Philolaches is the most geographically active object in the star system. The largest currently active volcano is Magnus Vulcanus, which is estimated to erupt at least forty times every year. The large number of moons orbiting the planet cause the distance from the east to the west to extend by approximately a half centimeter every decade; this results in the planet being slightly flattened. This also contributes to the geographic instability, as the planet suffers regularly from earthquakes as the tectonic plates drift away. It is estimated that within the next one billion years, there is a 78% chance that the planet will be ripped apart completely.
Philolaches' volcanism is responsible for several of its unique features. Its frequent, violent volcanoes produce a rupes system, and also coats the planet's crust in a thin layer of yellow and white, largely due to sulfur being spewed from the volcanoes. Lava rivers, the overwhelming majority over 700 kilometers, also cover the surface, often flowing into valleys and canyons. The gases produced by the volcanoes make up the thick, grey atmosphere that surrounds the planet, trapping more heat and allowing the planet to continue in its cycle.
Physical characteristics
Philolaches is one of 7 terrestial planets orbiting Sanctus Stella B. It is the densest planet in the Sanctus Stella system, weighing approximately 145.88 Earths and taking the space of about 3.02 Earths; this makes the gravity exceedingly strong on the planet. The planet is somewhat ellipsoid in shape, with the distance between the east and west 59 centimeters more than the distance from the north and south poles. Conditions on the planet are radically different from Earth, thanks to the extensive blanket covering the planet and frequent volcanic eruptions. The average surface temperature is 693 °C, well above the possible range of survivable temperatures. However, there have been recent studies that suggest that there are small pockets of water vapour trapped beneath the crust.
Atmosphere and climate
Philolaches has an extremely dense atmosphere composed of 76.9% carbon dioxide, 18.3% carbon monoxide, and 4.8% sulfur dioxide—all three exist as supercritical fluids—and traces of water vapour and hydrogen sulfide. The pressure is approximately 97 times denser than Earth's, largely due to the gases being compressed severely. The CO2-rich atmosphere generates the strongest greenhouse effect of any planet in the star system, creating surface temperatures varying from 682 to 732.17 °C. The prominent runaway greenhouse effect has served as a warning to scientists such as Damia Phigaleia about the future of Earth.