The moments of inertia of mars

Journal Article · Mon May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL016i005p00385· OSTI ID:5946991

Bills, B G ^[1]

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1. Lunar and Planetary Institute, Houston, TX (USA)

The mean moment of inertia of Mars is, at present, very poorly constrained. The generally accepted value of 0.365 MR{sup 2} is obtained by assuming that the observed second degree gravity field can be decomposed into a hydrostatic oblate spheroid and a nonhydrostatic prolate spheroid with an equatorial axis of symmetry. An alternative decomposition is advocated in the present analysis. If the nonhydrostatic component is a maximally triaxial ellipsoid (intermediate moment midway between greatest and least) the hydrostatic component is consistent with a mean moment of 0.345 MR{sup 2}. The plausibility of this decomposition is supported by statistical arguments and comparison with the Earth, Moon and Venus. If confirmed, this new value would have significant implications for the inferred composition and climatic history of Mars. The Mars Observer mission may help resolve this issue.

• OSTI ID: 5946991
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (USA), Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (USA) Vol. 16:5; 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
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CLIMATES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
EARTH PLANET
GRAVITATIONAL FIELDS
MARS PLANET
MATHEMATICS
MOMENT OF INERTIA
MOON
MORPHOLOGY
PLANETARY EVOLUTION
PLANETS
PRECESSION
SATELLITES
SOLAR SYSTEM EVOLUTION
STATISTICS
VENUS PLANET