The obliquity of Pluto
Abstract
Pluto's obliquity (the angle between its spin axis and orbit normal) varies between ∼102 and ∼126° over a period of about 3 million years. These oscillations are nearly sinusoidal and quite stable, leading to only modest changes in the insolation regime. Thus, Pluto's rotation has been slightly retrograde ever since its current orbit and rotation rate were established.
- Publication:
-
Icarus
- Pub Date:
- August 1983
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0019-1035(83)90077-5
- Bibcode:
- 1983Icar...55..231D
- Keywords:
-
- Orbit Calculation;
- Planetary Rotation;
- Pluto (Planet);
- Precession;
- Solar Orbits;
- Eccentric Orbits;
- Neptune (Planet);
- PLUTO;
- OBLIQUITY;
- ROTATION;
- CELESTIAL MECHANICS;
- CALCULATIONS;
- ORBITS;
- PHYSICAL PROPERTIES;
- MOTION;
- MATHEMATICAL MODELS;
- THEORETICAL STUDIES;
- DIAGRAMS