EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Bills & Ray 2000
Bills, B.G. and Ray, R.D. (2000). Galilean satellite obliquities. Journal of Geophysical Research 105: doi: 10.1029/2000JE001248. issn: 0148-0227.

The obliquities, or angular separations between spin pole and orbit pole, for the Galilean satellites of Jupiter are all small but nonzero. We present calculations of the expected obliquity values based on the well known orbital parameters and recent estimates of the moments of inertia of the satellites, under the assumption that all are in Cassini states. The nonzero obliquities of these bodies are dynamically significant because they imply the existence of components of tidal and librational stress and dissipation which have been previously ignored. In addition, accurate observational determination of the obliquities will provide more direct estimates of the moments of inertia of these bodies than are currently available. ¿ 2000 American Geophysical Union

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Planetology, Solid Surface Planets, Gravitational fields, Planetology, Solid Surface Planets, Interiors, Planetology, Solid Surface Planets, Orbital and rotational dynamics
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit