Tidal theory predicts that the orbits of close extrasolar giant planets will circularize on timescales that can be comparable to the ages of those systems. Additionally, planets that are close enough and massive enough can spin up their central stars. Since the eccentricities of extrasolar planet orbits are determined by the radial velocity technique and since stellar rotation rates are observe...

We compare orbits in a thin axisymmetric disc potential in MOND to those in a thin disc plus near-spherical dark matter halo predicted by a ΛCDM cosmology. Remarkably, the amount of orbital precession in MOND is nearly identical to that which occurs in a mildly oblate CDM Galactic halo (potential flattening q=0.9), consistent with recent constraints from the Sagittarius stream. Since very flatt...

Phobos is one of the two moons Mars, only other terrestrial planet to have companions. In spite certain common orbital characteristics between Earth’s Moon and Phobos, such as almost circular, low-inclination, synchronous orbits, origin Martian remains be understood. This unsettled state affairs reflects a scarcity data pertinent its interior structure bulk composition, both which hold key solv...

Unit quaternion is an ideal parameterization for joint rotations. However, due to the complexity of the geometry of S group, it’s hard to specify meaningful joint constraints with unit quaternion. In this paper, we have proposed an effective and accurate method to specify the rotation limits for joints parameterized with the unit quaternion. Joint constrains constructed with our method are adeq...

Pluto and its largest satellite, Charon, currently orbit in a mutually synchronous state; both bodies continuously show the same face to one another. This orbital configuration is a natural end-state for bodies that have undergone tidal dissipation. In order to achieve this state, both bodies would have experienced tidal heating and stress, with the extent of tidal activity controlled by the or...

The broad objective of this project has been to extend our understanding on the role of large scale offshore forcing, including baroclinic tides, in nearshore dynamics. From this understanding we aim to develop modeling approaches that, combined with offshore baroclinic models, can account for the effects of offshore internal wave forcing on the circulation and sediment transport in the coastal...