3
$\begingroup$

There is a planetary system with a big planet and two moons, Luna and Laltre orbiting around it.

Luna has a pretty similar orbiting (1 earth-day) and rotating period (slightly less than 1 earth-day). It's mass is similar to Earth's.

Laltre has a very eccentric orbit around the planet.

Is it possible that the gravitational effect of Laltre over Luna changes Luna's rotating period every now and then? If so, how or when it would happen?

Feel free to add further information regarding Luna, Laltre and their relationship that's needed to answer the question.

EDIT: Note that I only would like to know if changing the rotating period of a moon is possible. Regarding the how or when is intended to have a slight understanding of what conditions make that change possible. Maybe any conditions make it, so there would be not much more to add.

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
3
  • $\begingroup$ I think you need to specify the masses and the distances of these moons. Else the answer will be a planetary dynamic dissertation. $\endgroup$
    – L.Dutch ♦
    Commented Nov 20, 2018 at 7:38
  • $\begingroup$ @L.Dutch I understand that it might be needed to give an estimation on how much the rotating period would change, but I only ask about if such change is possible. In case distance or mass are relevant, that's what the how and when pretend to ask (simply explaining why it would be relevant). $\endgroup$
    – Masclins
    Commented Nov 20, 2018 at 7:43
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ You might be interested to read up on Epimethus and Janus, two of the moons of Saturn. Their rotational periods don’t change, which is why this isn’t an answer, but they swap places in their orbits every four years or so (Earth years, not Saturn years). planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2006/… $\endgroup$
    – Mike Scott
    Commented Nov 20, 2018 at 9:35

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
6
$\begingroup$

Rotation in celestial body is a consequence of momentum conservation. The only way to change the rotational period of a body is by adding or removing rotational momentum to the body.

For a perfectly homogeneous body gravity will not be able to add or remove momentum, however for non homogeneous bodies difference of gravitational pull can exert a torque on the body, resulting in changing the rotational period.

Luna seems to be almost tidally locked with the main planet, thus it means that its shape will have a bulge pointing toward the planet, as a consequence of tidal effects.

When Laltre approaches the periapsis, if it is close enough to Luna it can exert a significant differential force on the bulge. However, due to highly eccentric orbit, Laltre velocity in that point will also be high, resulting in a short time of the force being applied.

Given the right combination of factor, Laltre can affect the rotational period of Lune, then.

Another way, much more dramatic, in which the rotational period can be affected is by having Laltre impacting Luna with a very oblique impact angle. A similar event is thought to have slowed down the rotation of Venus, for example.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
2
$\begingroup$

Youre probably searching for sth like this:
enter image description here

This is possible, but the moons could and would probably crash at some point
(What could be a pretty cool story)
The effects would be a pretty rough tide

EDIT:
enter image description here The period change would happen if the planets speed/slow each up/down,
because speed means more radius (up until flying away), and less speed means less radius (down until crashing the orbit center/earth)

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
3
  • $\begingroup$ Thanks for the picture. That, though, would be a change in orbit, but it says nothing to how or whether the rotation period would change. $\endgroup$
    – Masclins
    Commented Nov 20, 2018 at 8:15
  • $\begingroup$ @Masclins No problem with my MS Paint skills :D The Inner moon stays longer outside, while the inner moon stays longer on the inside, is a change of period. When also considering a change of route, the time definetly changes ... I'll make another pic $\endgroup$
    – user55267
    Commented Nov 20, 2018 at 8:16
  • $\begingroup$ @Masclins I've updated $\endgroup$
    – user55267
    Commented Nov 20, 2018 at 8:38

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .