Mission of Gravity -- Rapidly Spinning World

[Peter Toth]

I've recently learned some basic 3-D modeling in Blender, which I've used to render the realistic satellite view below, overlain with Frodo's physical parameters. (Axis is rotated by about 10 degrees; northern ice cap (at periapsis) is visible.)

Globe Parms.png

By the way, does anyone know how to use ExoPlaSim to calculate the effective temperature? Using worldbuilding pasta's spreadsheet, I got a value of 30 Celsius, which seems way too high considering the extent of Frodo's ice caps. Another question: what is the difference (referring especially to Clima-Sim) between total albedo and effective albedo?

Anyways, thanks for viewing.

Peter

[worldbuilding pasta]

My spreadsheet, clima-sim, and exoplasim have different levels of complexity and flexibility which mean they might not be consistent with each other, exoplasim should generally be trusted over the others; the first one in particular rather clunkily relies on you to decide what the albedo is. Effective temperature is a somewhat odd parameter to be concerned with for a planet, there are probably ways to work it out by summing the outgoing radiation but for any application where effective temperature really matters, a few degrees difference isn't much of a problem. There are also a number of different ways to define albedo, you'd probably have to dig around a lot in its documentation to figure out exactly what clima-sim is using. Ultimately I guess I'm wondering what these specific parameters are for, because they might be a lot of work to figure out.

[Peter Toth]

My most recent update has finally dealt with an important but previously undefined climatic variable: ocean currents. Using data derived by worldbuilding pasta (thank you Nikolai!), I discovered that Frodo theoretically has nine circulation cells per hemisphere, although due to eddies in the atmosphere, these won't be very well defined but instead rather chaotic. (I don't know if it's even practical to be defining ocean currents on such an unusual world, but I've done so anyway, hoping for some feedback from those more knowledgeable.) Also, due to ice caps, only 6-7 circulation cells actually exist.

Currents.png

Now, all I have to do is consider the effects of all the currents acting on the continent relevant to the story (the one with defined mountain ranges), and calculate the climate accordingly. I'm not certain how many degrees to adjust the climate by, although worldbuilding pasta has calculated that on Earth, only those currents between 50 to 70 latitude should be affected by about 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. Because the temperature on Frodo changes so dramatically away from the tropics (and factoring in Frodo's larger size), I'm guessing that the currents would have a stronger effect on modulating temperatures there. (15 or so degrees of heating/cooling as well, perhaps?)

I've also defined the ice cap at periapsis (whitest layer capping the poles) and apoapsis (baby blue, relevant only in northern hemisphere), factoring in the ocean's ability to circulate heat towards the poles. As I've tried to depict, the melting of ice at periapsis allows one more cell of circulation to operate in the northern hemisphere during the hot season. Due to axial tilt, eccentricity, and the orientation of Frodo's orbit, the southern hemisphere ice cap does not melt at periapsis.

At any rate, please let me know what you think.

Peter

[Peter Toth]

Just hoping to get a critique regarding my choice for labels, including font, scaling, and tilt.

Sample33.png

Please let me know.

Peter

[Peter Toth]

Hello Guild,

Although I'm still not entirely convinced about the colour scheme (also the topo), here's my latest progress on Frodo. I'm hoping to hear some constructive criticism about my palette, style, and presentation so that I could move on to other details. The colour scheme is based on morne's work, which I've used as a guide and inspiration. Of course, many other Guild members have offered their expertise and I am ever so grateful to you all!

Latest Frodo.png

Peter

[Tiluchi]

Wow, this looks amazing! I love the style and color scheme actually, and the orthographic projection works well for the area shown on the map. If I had one minor critique it might be to increase the transparency of the graticules so that they're a bit less distracting. The sharp gradation of the ocean colors is also a little distracting although I'm guessing that might not quite be finished yet.

[Greason Wolfe]

Agree with Tiluchi, the graticule is a bit distracting and might look better if it were fainter. It might also help to mask it out completely over the land areas but that is a personal aesthetic. Other than that, this looks pretty darn good, maybe even nomination worthy for the next atlas awards.

[Peter Toth]

Thank you Tiluchi and Greason Wolfe for the kind words and critiques!

As per your comments, I've reduced the opacity of the graticules and agree the final result looks much nicer. Hey Tiluchi, when you referred to the gradation of the ocean colours, did you mean the ice caps at the top of the map? The white one is the permanent ice cap; the one below represents the seasonal ice cap which melts at periapsis. (I've even gone the extra mile to calculate a heat model for Frodo's atmosphere, noticing the albedo ranges from 0.310 to 0.382 as the planet moves from periapsis to apoapsis. However, I calculate more H2O vapor in the atmosphere during apoapsis, which sounds a bit paradoxical. Anyone with insight?)

I would consider it an honour to receive a nomination for this piece of work, as I've been working on it since January, logging a total of 560 hours on Photoshop, Wilbur, G. Projector, Gplates, ExoPlaSim and Blender.

Here's the latest update (although I'm still working on the final presentation including plenty more diagrams, some worldbuilding and lore):

Resized Another Time.jpg

I'm hoping this one's a bit better. I changed the gradient again because I was a bit self-conscious about the topography. I believe these settings help conceal my excessively Wilbur-efied topography.

Peter

[MrBragg]

I changed the gradient again because I was a bit self-conscious about the topography. I believe these settings help conceal my excessively Wilbur-efied topography.

I'm glad I'm not the only one engaged in these types of shenanigans

Nice result, btw!

[Peter Toth]

Hello MrBragg,

No, you're definitely not. I'm very finicky with my projects, always wanting more and more realism, seemingly without bound. I admit being overly obsessive, which can be an asset or a liability, depending on your view.

Just to let you all know, the project has been completed but I only posted the updated image on the Finished Maps forum, not wanting to waste space on this site. (As I absolutely love and support the Guild!)

I hope the update isn't disappointing.

Peter