EFFECTS OF THERMAL EXPANSION ON THE MOMENTS OF INERTIA OF THE MOON,

Abstract

Thermal conduction problem for a homogeneous sphere illuminated by a parallel beam of light is solved in terms of Fourier-Bessel expansions; and the resulting nonsymmetric deformation due to thermal expansion is established on the assumption that the (self-gravitating) sphere behaves like an elastic solid. The moments of inertia about the principal axes of so deformed a body are then computed for a configuration approximating in physical properties the lunar globe as deformed by secular effects of insolation; and it is shown that the ratio of the differences of the momenta (C-A)/B which can arise from this cause is much too small to account for its value deduced from the librations. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1965
Accession Number
AD0611373

Entities

People

  • Zdenek Kopal

Organizations

  • Boeing

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Conduction (Heat Transfer)
  • Conductivity
  • Physical Properties
  • Thermal Expansion
  • Thermophysical Properties
  • Transport Properties

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Calculus or Mathematical Analysis
  • Fluid Dynamics.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris