Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: If the Moon's spin evolved from faster prograde rates, it could have been captured into a higher spin–orbit resonance than the current 1:1 resonance. At the current value of orbital eccentricity, the probability of capture into the 3:2 resonance is as high as 0.6, but it strongly depends on the temperature and average viscosity of the Moon's interior. A warmer, less viscous Moon on a higher eccentricity orbit is even more easily captured into supersynchronous resonances. We discuss two likely scenarios for the present spin–orbit state: a cold Moon on a low-eccentricity orbit and a retrograde initial rotation.
Author: Valeri V. Makarov
Institution: United States Naval Observatory
Language: English
Topic: Astro and Planetary Science
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2102374695