Solar Tidal Friction and Satellite Loss
Open Access
- 1 September 1973
- journal article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Vol. 164 (1) , 21-32
- https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/164.1.21
Abstract
This paper treats the dynamical evolution of a satellite orbiting a primary that is being despun by solar tidal friction. The results are then applied to Mercury and Venus. It is concluded that a wide variety of satellites would not have survived the solar tidal braking of these planets. Hence, the absence of satellites around Mercury and Venus is not a compelling reason for thinking that this has always been the situation. Satellites are lost by orbital decay and impact with the primary. It is likely that Mercury would retain a record of such an event on its surface.Keywords
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