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Multistability and complexity in the planar spin-orbit problem
Authors: de Oliveira, MV;
Ref.: Comm. Nonlinear Sci. 150, 109024 (2025)
Abstract: The tidal evolution of a deformable body may lead to a state where its rotational and orbital motion are in resonance. In this work, we numerically investigate and visually illustrate some dynamical properties of the dissipative spin-orbit problem, namely, the co-existence of multiple periodic and quasi-periodic attractors, and the complexity of the corresponding basins of attraction. We apply our methodology first to Hyperion, and later to the Moon and Mercury. Our results provide a visual aid to understand the complicated dynamics of the system, and show that the different dynamical scenarios in this problem can be well characterized by the Gibbs entropy.
