Possible rotation of a tidal locked object?

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SUMMARY

A tidal locked object, such as a planet, cannot rotate on a horizontal axis while maintaining its orbit around a star. Tidal forces do not induce torque in this scenario, as the distance from the star remains constant for all points on the planet. The discussion highlights that while a planet's rotation can be stable, any additional horizontal rotation would require constant adjustment, which is not feasible. Precession effects, such as those observed in Earth's axial tilt, occur over extensive timeframes and do not influence the immediate rotational dynamics of a tidally locked body.

PREREQUISITES
  • Tidal locking mechanics
  • Basic principles of orbital dynamics
  • Understanding of precession effects
  • Concept of torque in physics
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  • Research tidal locking in celestial bodies
  • Study the effects of precession on planetary rotation
  • Explore torque and its implications in orbital mechanics
  • Investigate the dynamics of rotational axes in astrophysics
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Astronomers, astrophysicists, and students of planetary science will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in the mechanics of tidal locking and rotational dynamics of celestial objects.

Gajillian
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Hello everyone!
Real quick question here,
I've been trying to figure this out on my own all day to no avail.
Sorry if it is a dumb question...

"Can an object locked in orbit, rotate on an axis if the axis is horizontal?"

If for example a planet's north pole was locked in orbit to a sun, could it rotate on it's side? (see picture)

Thanks for your time!
GJ
 

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Yes, tidal forces wouldn't effect rotation in that plane because any point on the planet stays the same distance from the sun and so there is no torque for the tidal force to act on.

(unless there is some second order precession effect I have forgotten about - whihcis why I normally don't risk answering questions on gyroscopes!)
 
Welcome to PF!

Gajillian said:
Can an object locked in orbit, rotate on an axis if the axis is horizontal?

Hello Gajillian! Welcome to PF! :smile:

I think the more problematic question is: can an object rotate on an axis if the axis is towards whatever it's orbiting?

A planet's rotation must remain the same …

the Earth's points towards the Pole Star (more or less), except that precession moves the axis extremely slowly in a circle once every 25,000+ years …

but the star it's orbiting is always in a different direction. :mad:

Even if we superimposed a "horizontal" rotation on a basic "vertical" rotation, the "horizontal" addition would have to be constant.

Your object couldn't have a "horizontal" axis of rotation. :smile:
 

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