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Resonant interactions and chaotic rotation of Pluto’s small moons

Author

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  • M. R. Showalter

    (SETI Institute)

  • D. P. Hamilton

    (University of Maryland)

Abstract

Four small moons—Styx, Nix, Kerberos and Hydra—follow near-circular, near-equatorial orbits around the central ‘binary planet’ comprising Pluto and its large moon, Charon. New observational details of the system have emerged following the discoveries of Kerberos and Styx. Here we report that Styx, Nix and Hydra are tied together by a three-body resonance, which is reminiscent of the Laplace resonance linking Jupiter’s moons Io, Europa and Ganymede. Perturbations by the other bodies, however, inject chaos into this otherwise stable configuration. Nix and Hydra have bright surfaces similar to that of Charon. Kerberos may be much darker, raising questions about how a heterogeneous satellite system might have formed. Nix and Hydra rotate chaotically, driven by the large torques of the Pluto–Charon binary.

Suggested Citation

  • M. R. Showalter & D. P. Hamilton, 2015. "Resonant interactions and chaotic rotation of Pluto’s small moons," Nature, Nature, vol. 522(7554), pages 45-49, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:522:y:2015:i:7554:d:10.1038_nature14469
    DOI: 10.1038/nature14469
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