Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Oct 2000
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2000dps....32.2301w&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS Meeting #32, #23.01; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 32, p.1034
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
Analyses of accurate laser ranges to the moon permit variations of lunar rotation and tidal displacement to be monitored. These variations are influenced by the internal properties of the Moon. a) Determination of the second-degree potential Love number k2 is significantly influenced by any fluid core ellipticity. From a solution with a weak detection of core ellipticity, k2 = 0.025 +/- 0.003. The displacement Love numbers are also detected, with h2 = 0.033 +/- 0.015. b) Four rotational dissipation terms are detected. These are consistent with tidal dissipation, using a frequency-dependent tidal Q, plus dissipation at a liquid-core/solid-mantle interface. For the above k2 the tidal Q is 32 at one month period and 53 at one year. c) The core radius is < 352 km for molten iron and < 374 km for the Fe-FeS eutectic. d) The two dynamical sources of power generation are minor heat sources at present, but early in the lunar history they may have rivaled radiogenic power. These sources may have powered core convection and a dynamo.
Boggs Dale H.
Dickey Jean O.
Ratcliff James Todd
Williams James G.
Yoder Charles F.
No associations
LandOfFree
The Moon's Molten Core, Tides, and Energy Dissipation 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 Moon's Molten Core, Tides, and Energy Dissipation, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Moon's Molten Core, Tides, and Energy Dissipation will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-866418