Rotational Dynamics of the Janus Epimetheus System

Institute of Astronomy, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland

We investigate rotational dynamics of Saturn's coorbital satellites Janus (S1) and Epimetheus (S3). For that purpose we utilize their dynamic characteristics which are derived on the basis of topographical models by Stooke (1994a,b) and with the method described in Gozdziewski and Maciejewski (1995). We try to verify the hypothesis of chaotic rotation of the moons, caused by gravitational interaction between them. We investigate also the possibility of parametric resonance in the librational motion of Janus.

Keywords: Janus, Epimetheus, Rotational Motion

References

1.

Gozdziewski K., Maciejewski A.J.: 1995, On the gravitational fields of Prometheus and Pandora , Earth, Moon and Planets, Vol. 69, pp.25-50.

2.

Stooke P.J.: 1994a, The topography of Janus , Earth, Moon and Planets.

3.

Stooke P.J.: 1994b, The topography of Epimetheus, Earth, Moon and Planets.