chaotic rotation Unpredictable tumbling motion that non-spherical bodies in eccentric orbits, such as Saturn's satellite Hyperion, can exhibit. No amount of observation of an object rotating chaotically will ever show a well-defined period.
'Hyperion' is a natural satellite of Saturn discovered by William Cranch Bond, George Phillips Bond and William Lassell in 1848. It is distinguished by its irregular shape, its chaotic rotation, and its unexplained sponge-like appearance....
Hyperion is 266 kilometers (165 miles) across, has an irregular shape, and spins in a chaotic rotation. Much of its interior is empty space, explaining why scientists call Hyperion a rubble-pile moon.
It is distinguished by its irregular shape, its chaotic rotation, and its unexplained sponge-like appearance.
Name
The moon is named after Hyperion, a Titan in Greek mythology. It is also designated Saturn VII.
a highly eccentric orbit, and is near another large moon (Titan). These factors combine to restrict the set of conditions under which stable rotation is possible. The 3:4 orbital resonance between Titan and Hyperion may also make chaotic rotation ...
 See also: Satellite, Rotation, Orbit, Hyperion, Saturn
  
|
RSS
