Resonant Rotation States of the Jovian and Saturnian Satellites

Kurzfassung

Many of the moons of the giant planets are trapped in a 1:1 spin-orbit resonance. Up to now this special rotation state is confirmed by observations for 8 satellites of Jupiter, 15 satellites of Saturn, 15 satellites of Uranus, and 7 satellites of Neptune[1]. These rotation states are a result from the strong tidal torque exerted on the satellites by their central body. However, slight deviations from the resonant state, e.g., physical librations, can provide hints to the interior structure of the satellites. By deriving the resonant rotation states for the satellites, we provide a critical reference to which the actual measurements can be compared. By that the resonant rotation states can contribute to the knowledge on the formation and evolution of moons around the giant planets in our Solar System.