Dynamics of Pluto and Charon

Journal Article · Wed Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL016i011p01217· OSTI ID:5917052

Dobrovolskis, A R ^[1]

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1. NASA Ames Research Center, IA (USA)

The dynamics of the Pluto-Charon system are reviewed from a historical perspective. Although Pluto's orbit crosses Neptune's, an intricate system of nested resonances keeps these planets apart. Pluto's orbit is apparently chaotic as well. Pluto always keeps the same face turned toward Charon, and vice versa. Tides also damp Charon's orbital eccentricity and inclination. Precession of Pluto's orbital plane causes Pluto's obliquity to vary periodically from formally prograde to retrograde. Pluto is probably an original member of the Solar system, but not an escape satellite of Neptune. The Voyager II encounter with Neptune, the final Pluto-Charon mutual events, and the next generation of telescopes are bound to reveal some surprises.

• OSTI ID: 5917052
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (USA), Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (USA) Vol. 16:11; ISSN 0094-8276; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BASIC INTERACTIONS
DISTANCE
DYNAMICS
GRAVITATIONAL INTERACTIONS
INTERACTIONS
MECHANICS
MOTION
NEPTUNE PLANET
ORBITS
PLANETARY EVOLUTION
PLANETS
PLUTO PLANET
PRECESSION
RESONANCE
ROTATION
SATELLITES
SOLAR SYSTEM
SOLAR SYSTEM EVOLUTION
TIDE