Physics
Scientific paper
Jan 1979
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1979jgr....84..243w&link_type=abstract
Journal of Geophysical Research, vol. 84, Jan. 10, 1979, p. 243-259. Research supported by the Smithsonian Institution;
Physics
21
Axes Of Rotation, Landforms, Mars (Planet), Mars Surface, Planetary Evolution, Planetary Rotation, Precession, Climate, Mountains, Planetary Structure, Resonance, Solar Orbits, Volcanoes, Mars, Obliquity, Oscillations, Tharsis, Montes, Uplifts, Spin, Quadrupole Moments, Orbits, Resonance, Motion, Rotation, Evolution
Scientific paper
The paper deals with possible ancient variations of the obliquity of Mars. Consideration of data on internal differentiation, Tharsis uplift and crustal phenomena, mantle convection, and eigenfrequencies and mean motion suggest that (1) differentiation with core formation decreased the primeval spin precession constant (alpha) by 4-5%, driving it through resonance with the j = 2 orbital term; (2) a combination of geophysical processes caused alpha to drift back and forth through resonance with the j = 2 orbital term during part of Mars' history; (3) this situation was turned off by the Tharsis uplift, which drove alpha away from j = 2 resonance and possibly through the j = 26 resonance. The consequences of such events for the planet's obliquity are analyzed. Various types of motions are calculated, demonstrating the sensitivity of the obliquity to passage through resonance with such minor orbital terms.
Burns Joseph A.
Toon Brian O.
Ward William R.
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