luníku

Luníku is a fictional natural satellite featured in science-fiction literature and speculative planetary science. The term is used to examine the dynamics of small moons and their interactions with their primary planet.

In its canonical setting, Luníku orbits the gas giant Theron at a mean distance of 125,000 kilometers with an orbital period of roughly 1.8 days. The moon is irregularly shaped with a mean diameter of about 60 kilometers. The orbit is mildly inclined relative to the planet's equator, producing seasonal illumination patterns.

The surface is dominated by icy plains and impact basins, with cryovolcanic ridges and a sparse regolith. No substantial atmosphere exists, though exospheric trace gases may be present near active vents. Surface temperatures range from approximately -125 to -60 degrees Celsius.

The name Luníku derives from the Latin luna, combined with a fictional Slavic diminutive suffix used in the setting's nomenclature. The entry is intended for encyclopedic reference within speculative astronomy contexts rather than real-world astronomy.

Exploration within the fiction includes orbital reconnaissance missions and a successful sample-return mission, revealing subsurface ice pockets and hydrated minerals. Luníku is frequently cited in educational discussions of tidal forces, cratering, and the evolution of small planetary satellites.