Kerbol
Kerbol is the star of the Kerbol system and home to 7 planets and their 9 moons. in KSP1 Kerbol is simply known as the sun, but in KSP2 the star is explicitly named Kerbol. In order from closest to furthest from Kerbol, the planets of the Kerbolar system are Moho, Eve, Kerbin, Duna, Dres, Jool and Eeloo.
Synopsis
The object so iconic, only the coolest beings revolve around it! This enormous glowing orb of plasma is one-hundred times larger than Kerbin, and its mass creates the gravitational well which houses its seven planets and their respective moons. despite its mesmerizing aura, Kerbal space program program's legal welfare team would like to take this moment to remind you: do not stare at the sun.
Surface
Kerbol has a yellow-orange colored surface that is made up of plasma. Its surface temperature reaches up to 3741°C. Several Kerbol-spots (the Kerbol equivalent of sunspots) are said to be visible on its surface. Kerbolar winds carry charged particles and radiation away from the star and are responsible for its heliosphere and corona. like all stars, Kerbol emits light from its outer layer- the photosphere. Kerbol has regular coronal mass ejections, which launch large quantities of matter and magnetic flux away from the star. These ejections are triggered when localized areas of highly concentrated magnetic flux within Kerbol's extremely powerful magnetic fields lift away from its surface, releasing a tremendous amount of magnetic energy in the process. Such eruptions are often accompanied by solar flares. Kerbol's spectral classification is a subject of debate, but it is believed to be either a type G main-sequence star (yellow dwarf) or a type M main-sequence star (red dwarf), based on surface temperature and luminosity respectively. The exact age of the star and its planetary system is not known but is speculated to be around 4.6 billion years. In the game Kerbol is usually seen as a flare effect that increases in size and luminosity the closer you get to it. At around 800Mm from the surface, this flare transitions into a rendered model of the star. Once a vessel descends below roughly 450Mm from the surface, all parts on the vessel start to receive thermal flux which will quickly overheat and destroy them if not swiftly dealt with. Kerbol does not have a solid surface, but will ocasionally (not always) destroy a vessel passing through it. If a vessel manages to make it past the surface, it is documented in some cases to shoot out again at ludicrous speeds.
Atmosphere
Kerbol does not have an atmosphere in KSP2. It is not known if this is by design, or if the developers planned to implement it at a later date.
Magnetosphere
Kerbol is believed to have a ridiculously powerful magnetic field, but not much is known about it. It is inadvisable to bring magnets anywhere near Kerbol.
Kerbolar eclipses
Kerbolar eclipses are present in ksp2. These occur when a celestial object partially or completely obscures the light from Kerbol relative to the observer. If the apparent size of the obscuring object is large enough to completely cover the solar disk, this will result in a complete eclipse. If it is not, it will only result in a partial or annular eclipse. During a Kerbolar eclipse the flare effect representing Kerbol will gradually shrink in size and dim, then grow in size and brightness again to its original state. If it is a full eclipse, the flare will temporarily dissapear completely. If a planet is experiencing an eclipse by one of its moons its entire surface will dim, rather than the expected local shadow. Eclipses are also not visible from map view. The corona and solar disk are also not present, rendering annular eclipses impossible. There were plans to improve eclipses in the future.
Science regions
Kerbol only has two science regions: high orbit and low orbit. It has no surface and thus no surface regions. Collecting science from low Kerbol orbit can be lucrative, but the player has to be careful not to venture too close to the surface and melt.
Version history
0.2.0.0
- added science regions.
- added thermal heating to parts when close to the surface.
0.1.0.0
- initial release.