Possible rotation states of two satellites of Saturn, Prometheus (S16) and Pandora (S17), are studied by means of numerical experiments. The attitude stability of all possible modes of synchronous rotation and the motion close to these modes is analyzed by means of computation of the Lyapunov spectra of the motion. The stability analysis confirms that the rotation of Prometheus and Pandora might be chaotic, though the possibility of regular behaviour is not excluded. For the both satellites, the attitude instability zones form series of concentric belts enclosing the main synchronous resonance center in the phase space sections. A hypothesis is put forward that these belts might form "barriers" for capturing the satellites in synchronous rotation. The satellites in chaotic rotation can mimic ordinary regular synchronous behaviour: they preserve preferred orientation for long periods of time, the largest axis of satellite's figure being directed approximately towards Saturn.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)31-47
Number of pages17
JournalCelestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy
Volume101
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 May 2008

    Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

    Research areas

  • Chaotic motion, Chaotic satellite rotation, Resonances, Rotational dynamics, Satellites of Saturn: Prometheus, Pandora

ID: 45988366