TY - JOUR

T1 - On the rotational dynamics of Prometheus and Pandora

AU - Melnikov, A. V.

AU - Shevchenko, I. I.

PY - 2008/5/1

Y1 - 2008/5/1

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - Chaotic motion

KW - Chaotic satellite rotation

KW - Resonances

KW - Rotational dynamics

KW - Satellites of Saturn: Prometheus, Pandora

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=45449095459&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1007/s10569-008-9131-z

DO - 10.1007/s10569-008-9131-z

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:45449095459

VL - 101

SP - 31

EP - 47

JO - Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy

JF - Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy

SN - 0923-2958

IS - 1-2

ER -