Titan's rotation. A 3-dimensional theory

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

    Abstract

    Aims.We study the forced rotation of Titan seen as a rigid body at the equilibrium Cassini state, involving the spin-orbit synchronization. Methods: We used both the analytical and the numerical ways. We analytically determined the equilibrium positions and the frequencies of the 3 free librations around it, while a numerical integration associated to frequency analysis gave us a more synthetic, complete theory, where the free solution split from the forced one. Results: We find a mean obliquity of 2.2 arcmin and the fundamental frequencies of the free librations of about 2.0977, 167.4883, and 306.3360 years. Moreover, we bring out the main role played by Titan's inclination on its rotation, and we suspect a likely resonance involving Titan's wobble.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)959-970
    Number of pages12
    JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics
    Volume478
    Publication statusPublished - 2008

    Keywords

    • planets and satellites: individual: Titan
    • celestial mechanics

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