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Tidal evolution in the Neptune-Triton systemTriton, which is currently spiralling toward Neptune due to tides raised on both bodies, possesses an obliquity which may lie close to either a zero-deg 'state 1' or a 100-deg 'state 2' which correspond to the two stable Cassini extrema of its rotational Hamiltonian. The Kaula (1966) tidal formalism is presently used to model the past and future evolution of the system in both states. For nominal parameters in state 1, Triton will reach Neptune's Roche limit in about 3.6 Gyr with a decrease in orbital inclination to 145 deg from the current 159 deg; in the case of state 2, Triton's inclination will increase to 180 deg in 10-100 million years and then transition to state 1, subsequently reaching the Neptune Roche limit in about 1.4 Gyr.
Document ID
19890064536
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Chyba, C. F.
(Cornell Univ. Ithaca, NY, United States)
Jankowski, D. G.
(Cornell Univ. Ithaca, NY, United States)
Nicholson, P. D.
(Cornell University Ithaca, NY, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
July 1, 1989
Publication Information
Publication: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Volume: 219
Issue: 2-Jan
ISSN: 0004-6361
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
89A51907
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-544
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-33-010-220
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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