Pollux Cipher
Encode and decode using the Pollux cipher. A cipher that encodes Morse code using digit substitutions.
Three groups: digits for dots, dashes, separators (e.g., '123 456 789')
Key Assignment
Dots (.)
1, 2, 3
Dashes (-)
4, 5, 6
Separators
7, 8, 9
How Pollux Works
- Convert text to Morse code (dots and dashes)
- Assign groups of digits to dots, dashes, and separators
- Replace each Morse symbol with a random digit from its group
- The result is a string of digits
Example
Key: 1,2,3 = dots | 4,5,6 = dashes | 7,8,9 = separators
HI: .... (H) + .. (I)
Encoded: 1212 8 13 (where 8 separates letters)
Puzzle Tips
- • Look for digit frequency patterns - some appear more often
- • E (.) is most common, so its digits will be frequent
- • Separators appear between every letter
- • The key assignment might be hidden in the puzzle
What is the Pollux Cipher?
The Pollux cipher is a cipher that combines Morse code with digit substitution. It converts text to Morse code, then replaces dots, dashes, and letter separators with assigned digits. Multiple digits can represent the same Morse symbol, adding confusion.
How It Works
Key Assignment
The ten digits (0-9) are divided into three groups:
- Dots (.): 3-4 digits represent dots
- Dashes (-): 3-4 digits represent dashes
- Separators: 3-4 digits represent letter/word boundaries
Encryption
- Convert plaintext to Morse code
- Replace each dot with a random digit from the dot group
- Replace each dash with a random digit from the dash group
- Insert separator digits between letters and words
Pollux Cipher in Geocaching
This cipher appears in puzzles because:
- Numeric output: Fits well with coordinate puzzles
- Multiple solutions: Same message can produce different ciphertexts
- Morse connection: Adds a telegraph/radio theme
- Key complexity: The digit assignment is part of the puzzle
Cryptanalysis
Breaking Pollux without the key:
- Frequency analysis: Dots are most common (E = .)
- Separator identification: Appears regularly between letters
- Pattern recognition: Common letters have known Morse patterns
- Trial and error: Try different digit groupings
vs Fractionated Morse
Both use Morse code but differently:
- Pollux: Directly substitutes digits for Morse symbols
- Fractionated Morse: Uses trigraph substitution from Morse