The enigma of the Uranian satellites' orbital eccentricities

Details The enigma of the Uranian satellites' orbital eccentricities The enigma of the Uranian satellites' orbital eccentricities

Feb 1985

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1985icar...61..218s&link_type=abstract

Icarus (ISSN 0019-1035), vol. 61, Feb. 1985, p. 218-223. NASA-supported research.

Physics

20

Eccentric Orbits, Eccentricity, Natural Satellites, Oberon, Orbit Decay, Satellite Orbits, Uranus (Planet), Ariel, Error Analysis, Icy Satellites, Miranda, Orbital Elements, Physical Properties, Titania, Umbriel, Uranus, Satellites, Orbits, Eccentricity, Physical Properties, Decay, Calculations, Motion, Celestial Mechanics, Commensurability, Hypotheses, Tidal Effects, Ariel

Scientific paper

The eccentricity decay times for the Uranian satellites are calculated using recent observations (Brown et al., 1982) of the diameters and orbital elements of the satellites and assuming reasonable dissipation functions and rigidities for icy satellites. For the outer two satellites, Titania and Oberon, the decay times are found to be very long, whereas the inner three satellites, Miranda, Ariel, and Umbriel, have decay times on the order of 10 to the 7th to 10 to the 8th years and have a near-commensurability in their mean motions that cannot force their eccentricities. There are several possible solutions for the lack of resonant forcing: (1) the reported eccentricities are incorrect, and are very nearly zero, (2) the reported mean motions are incorrect, and an exact commensurability exists, (3) the physical properties assumed for the satellites are grossly in error, and (4) the system is evolving rapidly, perhaps from a previous state of higher eccentricity. A new lower bound of about 17,000 on the dissipation function of Uranus is calculated from the mass of Ariel and its proximity to Uranus.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The enigma of the Uranian satellites' orbital eccentricities does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The enigma of the Uranian satellites' orbital eccentricities, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The enigma of the Uranian satellites' orbital eccentricities will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1592141