Styx
| ||
| Orbital characteristics | ||
| Mass (Kg) | 2.68E+23 | |
| Radius (Km) | 1,925 | |
| Solar Day (h) | 48 | |
| Orbital Period (days) | 2 | |
| Semi-Major Axis (Km) | 356,801(km) | |
| Periapsis (AU) | .002 | |
| Apoapsis (AU) | .002 | |
| Albedo | 0 | |
| Surface Temperature (K) | 147 | |
| Surface Gravity (m/s^2) | 4.84 | |
| Axial Tile (degrees) | 2.4 | |
| Inclination (degrees) | 0 | |
| Orbital Speed (Km/s) | 6.34 | |
| Satellites | None | |
Styx is the first of the three major moons of the planet Thalassa.
North Polar Regions
The North Polar Regions of Styx are dominated by dark, ancient terrain broken by frost-bright uplands, crater rims, and broad zones of fractured ground. The highest northern latitudes are covered in patchy bright deposits spread across rough polar plains, with darker exposed crust showing through between them. Large fissures, escarpments, and cratered plateaus give the north a broken and heavily reworked appearance.
Along the lower edge of the northern polar zone, the brighter frost-covered terrain gives way to darker lowlands marked by large impact basins and long structural breaks. Several of the most prominent northern features are steep-walled troughs and fractured uplands extending across the polar transition belt. These features give the region a strongly tectonic character in addition to its heavy cratering.
Equatorial Regions
The Equatorial region of Styx is the most active and diverse part of the moon. The landscape features expansive plains of dark basalt rock, likely the result of ancient volcanic activity, interspersed with lighter, sandy areas. The equatorial zone is prone to frequent dust storms, which are driven by the temperature gradients between the hot day side and the cooler night side. These storms can obscure the surface and create dramatic, sweeping patterns across the plains. Occasional tectonic activity can result in minor quakes, further shaping the terrain and revealing new geological features.
Southern Polar Regions
The South Polar region of Styx experiences periodic sunlight, which can cause the ice to melt and refreeze, creating a cycle of ice formation and erosion. The landscape is a mixture of smooth, icy plains and jagged, rocky outcrops. The South Pole is also known for its subglacial lakes, kept liquid by geothermal heat from the moon's interior. These lakes are of significant interest to scientists as they may harbor microbial life, given the right conditions. The interplay of ice and geothermal activity in this region creates unique formations such as ice caves and channels carved by meltwater.
