NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
The enigma of the Uranian satellites' orbital eccentricitiesThe eccentricity decay times for the Uranian satellites are calculated using recent observations (Brown et al., 1982) of the diameters and orbital elements of the satellites and assuming reasonable dissipation functions and rigidities for icy satellites. For the outer two satellites, Titania and Oberon, the decay times are found to be very long, whereas the inner three satellites, Miranda, Ariel, and Umbriel, have decay times on the order of 10 to the 7th to 10 to the 8th years and have a near-commensurability in their mean motions that cannot force their eccentricities. There are several possible solutions for the lack of resonant forcing: (1) the reported eccentricities are incorrect, and are very nearly zero, (2) the reported mean motions are incorrect, and an exact commensurability exists, (3) the physical properties assumed for the satellites are grossly in error, and (4) the system is evolving rapidly, perhaps from a previous state of higher eccentricity. A new lower bound of about 17,000 on the dissipation function of Uranus is calculated from the mass of Ariel and its proximity to Uranus.
Document ID
19850048654
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Squyres, S. W.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Reynolds, R. T.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Lissauer, J. J.
(NASA Ames Research Center Theoretical Studies Branch, Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: Icarus
Volume: 61
ISSN: 0019-1035
Subject Category
Astronomy
Accession Number
85A30805
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available