Why is this a Volcanic World?Runaway tidal heating from its moons drives volcanism across a cold crust - the planet is kneaded like Io.
Resonant, close-in moons pump orbital eccentricity, and the resulting tidal flexing dissipates enormous heat in the interior. Only a fraction of the surface is molten at once, so the ground between the vents stays as cold as the orbit allows - Io's own equilibrium temperature is about 110 K.
Classification Criteria:
✓ Close-in moons in a resonant configuration✓ Tidal heat flux beyond the runaway threshold- The orbit is not what melted it: 0.61 AU, 291K equilibrium
Habitability ScoreUninhabitable
18
Contributing Factors
water50
Limited water content
geology40
Extreme volcanic activity may be hazardous
rotation10
Near tidally locked - one hemisphere perpetually scorched, other frozen, narrow habitable twilight zone only
Organic Chemistry50
Carbon and hydrogen present - organic chemistry possible
atmosphere16
Atmosphere present but composition not ideal for life (partially stripped by slow rotation)
temperature15
Optimal temperature range for liquid water and life (runaway tidal heating keeps the surface molten regardless of orbit)
magnetic Field100
Magnetic field provides radiation protection
Physical Properties
Mass
1.00x Earth (5.97e+24 kg)
Radius
1.00x Earth (6,371 km)
Surface Gravity
1.00x Earth (9.8 m/s²)
Surface Temperature
291 K (18 °C / 64 °F)
Rotation Period
24.0 hours/day
Orbital Environment
Star Type
K-type (Orange)
Distance from Star
0.61 AU (91.3 million km)
Orbital Period
208 days
Atmosphere
Volcanic outgassing - sulfur compounds and vaporized rock
Elemental Composition
U - Uranium
26.3%
Fe - Iron
23.7%
Na - Sodium
13.2%
Surface Characteristics
Runaway tidal heating drives volcanism across a cold crust - lava lakes and sulfur plains between frozen plains