THE EFFECTS OF TIDAL FRICTION ON THE EVOLUTION OF THE MARTIAN MOON, PHOBOS.

Abstract

The equations of motion, perturbed by tidal forces, are derived based on the mathematical model used by G. J. F. MacDonald (corrected to include the higher order zonal harmonics of the potential function). These equations are averaged by the Fourier analysis and integrated by the 4th Order Runge-Kutta method to obtain the past history and future evolution of the orbital parameters of Phobos, Deimos, the Moon and Triton. It was found that Phobos evolved to its present state from a nearly synchronous orbit (a = 5.9 Martian radii) having an inclination of about 1.7 deg. to the Martian equator. It was also determined that the future lifetime of Phobos is limited to about 47 million years. The evolutions of Deimos, the Moon and Triton are included for comparison purposes. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1968
Accession Number
AD0671998

Entities

People

  • William Poehlman Jr

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Equations
  • Equations Of Motion
  • Fourier Analysis
  • Friction
  • Harmonics
  • Mathematical Analysis
  • Mathematical Models
  • Mathematics
  • Models
  • Personal Information Managers
  • Runge Kutta Method

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

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

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris