On the Rotational Behavior of Nereid

Details On the Rotational Behavior of Nereid On the Rotational Behavior of Nereid

Jul 2011

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011aj....142....1a&link_type=abstract

The Astronomical Journal, Volume 142, Issue 1, article id. 1 (2011).

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Methods: Numerical, Planets And Satellites: Dynamical Evolution And Stability

Scientific paper

We have conducted a set of numerical simulations of the combined orbital and rotational motion of Neptune's moon Nereid to study its rotational behavior under the influence of gravitational torques from Neptune. Due to the high eccentricity of its orbit, and the fact that the gravitational torque from Neptune varies as r -3, Nereid experiences a large impulsive torque during each periapsis passage. If Nereid is a prolate body, then these kicks induce oscillations in the orientation of its spin axis that is seen to be a coning motion of modulating amplitude. We have proposed that these modulations may be responsible for the long-term photometric variability of Nereid as reported by Schaefer et al. and others.

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