Other
Scientific paper
Aug 1976
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1976icar...28..453b&link_type=abstract
Icarus, vol. 28, Aug. 1976, p. 453-458.
Other
15
Gravitational Effects, Mercury (Planet), Planetary Evolution, Planetary Rotation, Tides, Craters, Energy Dissipation, Planetary Surfaces, Planetology
Scientific paper
Several ways are discussed in which Mercury's surface and interior could have been modified by the loss of any initial angular momentum as a result of rotational slowing by solar tides. The phenomena considered include the impact of hypothetical satellites on to the planet's surface following the tidal evolution of their orbits, the distribution of surface distortion and failure due to surface stresses and strains caused by the slowing of an initially unstressed oblate body, and the heating of the planet's interior by tidal slowing as well as present-day radial tides. It is shown that these processes are significant and should have produced observable effects, but that no such effects appear in Mariner 10 photographs. The absence of such effects is taken to indicate one of the following: (1) the resulting features have been obscured, (2) better resolution and greater coverage of the planet are necessary in order to detect such features, or (3) Mercury's primordial rotation was not similar to that of other solar-system bodies.
No associations
LandOfFree
Consequences of the tidal slowing of Mercury 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 Consequences of the tidal slowing of Mercury, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Consequences of the tidal slowing of Mercury will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1872937