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Long-term orbital and spin dynamics of MarsThis review of the long-term dynamical behavior of Mars covers secular variations of the orbit, oscillations of the obliquity, and polar wandering. Calculations of the large-scale obliquity oscillations of Mars are updated using the most recent orbit theory and contrasted with the earth. The motion for Mars is characterized by about 100,000-yr oscillations driven by differential spin axis and orbit plane precession rates during which the obliquity may change by as much as about 20 deg. The possible role of spin-orbit secular resonances to the spin axis histories of the earth and Mars is also considered. Numerical integrations of the equations of motion indicate that Mars may have passed through resonance as little as 5 Myr ago and that obliquities approaching about 45 deg could have been achieved during such an event.
Document ID
19930043864
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Ward, William R.
(JPL Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: In: Mars (A93-27852 09-91)
Publisher: University of Arizona Press
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
93A27861
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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