Citation
Dobrovolskis, Anthony Robert (1979) The Rotation of Venus: Part I. Atmospheric Tides. Part II. Obliquity and Evolution. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/0g1y-7e13. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:06142024-220229869
Abstract
Earth-based radar observations reveal that the surface of Venus rotates very slowly in the retrograde sense, Tides raised by the sun in the body of Venus tend to slow its rotation further. The spin of Venus might be in a steady state if thermal tides in the atmosphere balance the tidal torque on the crust. Part I of this dissertation presents a quantitative theory of atmospheric tides applicable to Venus. It is found that the thermal tide is capable of maintaining the rotation of Venus in its current state indefinitely.
Part II examines the effects of obliquity, the frequency dependence of the tides, core-mantle coupling, possible resonances, and other phenomena. It appears most likely that Venus originated with an obliquity greater than 90°.
Item Type: | Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.)) | ||||
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Subject Keywords: | (Planetary Science and Astronomy) | ||||
Degree Grantor: | California Institute of Technology | ||||
Division: | Geological and Planetary Sciences | ||||
Major Option: | Planetary Sciences | ||||
Minor Option: | Astronomy | ||||
Thesis Availability: | Public (worldwide access) | ||||
Research Advisor(s): |
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Thesis Committee: |
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Defense Date: | 25 August 1978 | ||||
Funders: |
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Record Number: | CaltechTHESIS:06142024-220229869 | ||||
Persistent URL: | https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:06142024-220229869 | ||||
DOI: | 10.7907/0g1y-7e13 | ||||
Default Usage Policy: | No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided. | ||||
ID Code: | 16523 | ||||
Collection: | CaltechTHESIS | ||||
Deposited By: | Tony Diaz | ||||
Deposited On: | 18 Jun 2024 21:15 | ||||
Last Modified: | 18 Jun 2024 21:17 |
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