Indigo
| ||
Orbital characteristics | ||
Mass (Kg) | 4.52E+24 | |
Radius (Km) | 5,858 | |
Solar Day (h) | 79.1 | |
Orbital Period (days) | 488 | |
Semi-Major Axis (Km) | 1.74E+08 | |
Periapsis (AU) | .96 | |
Apoapsis (AU) | 1.29 | |
Albedo | .37 | |
Surface Temperature (K) | 202 | |
Surface Gravity (m/s^2) | 8.79 | |
Axial Tile (degrees) | 9.3 | |
Inclination (degrees) | 1.3 | |
Orbital Speed (Km/s) | 21.7 | |
Satellites | Momiji, Plateau, Ivory |
Indigo is the planet fifth closest to the star Atos. Aside from Micras, Indigo is the system’s only other planet theoretically capable of sustaining life.
Mysteries of Indigo
Complex Orbital Interactions
The Indigo-Momiji system is by far the most complex of all the planetary relationships in the Atos System. For one, Indigo and Momiji loosely orbit one another, while both planets are tightly orbited by their own respective moons. It is believed that if Indigo and Momiji were any further apart, they would not orbit one another at all, while if they were any closer, one or both of their moons would inevitably be destroyed; either flung from orbit or destroyed in a collision. The complex interaction between the four bodies which constitute the Indigo-Momiji system is of the utmost interest to scientists researching the Atos System.
Possibility of Life
It is the official view of most reputable scientists that while life is theoretically possible on both Indigo and Momiji, it is very unlikely that any such life currently exists. As evidence of the unlikelihood of life, scientists point to the unforgiving, highly variable climates of the two planets, and the dense, icy atmosphere which covers most of the surface of Indigo in particular.
It is widely believed that life, if it exists, is more likely to occur on Momiji than on Indigo, due to the presence of significant quantities of liquid water on the surface of Momiji. Nevertheless, scientists largely reject the idea that this water is sufficient to sustain life on Momiji.
Despite the overwhelming rejection by scientists of the possibility of life in the Indigo-Momiji system, some religious communities retain beliefs in the existence of intelligent life on the two planets. The Pallisican Religion, for example, places a strict emphasis on the belief that the Aead people actually originate on the planet Indigo. While scientists mostly reject this claim by followers of the Pallisican Religion, they have not as of yet been able to verify the true origin of the Aead.
North Polar Regions
Equatorial Regions
Southern Polar Regions
Ongoing Research
Research by Passio-Corum
Research Probes
IASS-00IM1
The third of the research probes to be launched as part of the Inner Atos System Survey, the IASS-00IM1 was deployed on 36/1/35 PSSC on a mission to gather geographic and atmospheric data relating to the Indigarian and Momijian surface, and to investigate the possibility of life or the potential for settlement on either or both of the planets. Foremost among the missions of the IASS-00IM1 is to gather enough data to allow researchers to improve existing maps of the planets.
IASS-00IM1 is expected to arrive in orbit around Indigo in early 40 PSSC. The probe will orbit Indigo at a distance of around 58,554 kilometers, slightly less than halfway in between Indigo and Momiji. The probe will continue, following its arrival at the planet, to collect data for an indefinite period of time.