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J. Henrard (University of Namur)
An analytical theory of the rotation of the Galilean satellite Europa is presented. The theory is based on the synthetic theory of the motion of Europa computed by Lainey (Ph. D dissertation, Paris 2002) and developped in the framework of Hamiltonian mechanics. The smallness of the inclination of Europa with respect to the equatorial plane of Jupiter (and thus the smallness of the forced obliquity of Europa) asks for a special treatment to avoid the virtual singularity of zero obliquity. Long period terms in the theory of the motion of Europa are responsible for strong physical librations around the Cassini state.
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 36 #2
© 2004. The American Astronomical Soceity.