Chaos in the orbital dynamics of Prometheus and Pandora, the 16th and 17th satellites of Saturn, as well as hypothetical chaos in their rotational dynamics, are considered and discussed. The Lyapunov time estimates, calculated analytically by means of a method based on the separatrix map theory, are presented. It is shown that the Lyapunov times of both chaotic orbital and hypothetically chaotic rotational dynamics of the satellites are the smallest ones amongst all known Lyapunov times in the Solar system; thus these two satellites are real “champions” of dynamical chaos.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)285-292
Number of pages8
JournalAstrophysics and Space Science Proceedings
Issue number202449
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2009
EventConference on Chaos in Astronomy, 2007 - Athens, Greece
Duration: 17 Sep 200720 Sep 2007

    Scopus subject areas

  • Physics and Astronomy(all)
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Spectroscopy
  • Space and Planetary Science
  • Nuclear and High Energy Physics

ID: 45988245