January 1970
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8 Citations
The effect of both gravitational and tidal torques on the spin rate of the planet Mercury is used as a model for a passage through resonance problem. Both the resonance and nonresonance aspects of the spin rate are studied by means of the method of averaging. On the basis of this analysis, it is concluded that the present 3:2 resonant state is due to nonresonant capture which evolved into resonant capture as the orbital eccentricity increased.