The Astronomical Journal · 1973 · 78 citations · 0 references
Natural SciencesAstronomyPhysicsAstrophysicsGravitationSolar AstronomyOrbital ResonanceResonant DynamicsTidal DynamicsTidal Energy DissipationTidal InteractionsTidal ResonanceEnergy DissipationResonance EvolutionResonant Orbital EvolutionResonant Tidal EvolutionSatellite Resonance DynamicsSatellite Tidal EvolutionSolar System EvolutionTidal Dissipation Mechanisms
Analysis of a realistic model shows how satellites' gravitational interaction can halt their differential tidal evolution when resonant commensurabilities of their orbital periods are reached. The success of this study lends support to the hypothesis that resonances among satellites in the solar system, including the Titan-Hyperion case, did evolve as a result of tidal energy dissipation. Consideration of the time scale for this evolution process, possible now that the capture mechanism has been revealed, can offer more sophisticated constraints on the tidal dissipation function, Q, and on past orbital conditions.