Commensurabilities of Satellites' Apsidal Precession Periods
Open Access
- 1 February 1975
- journal article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Vol. 170 (2) , 295-303
- https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/170.2.295
Abstract
The orientation of the major axis of Saturn's satellite Rhea librates about alignment with Titan's major axis. This behaviour is a result of Titan's gravitational influence on Rhea. Similar effects may be important in the Uranian satellite system if they are enhanced by commensurabilities of apsidal precession periods. Extensive observations will be required if this possibility is to be confirmed. The effects of possible stable alignments have not been included in past analyses of the motions of Uranus' satellites, so the results of those studies should be accepted only tentatively.Keywords
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