XX. On the secular changes in the elements of the orbit of a satellite revolving about a tidally distorted planet

Abstract

Introduction . The following paper treats of the effects of frictional tides in a planet on the orbit of its satellite. It is the sequel to three previous papers on a similar subject. The investigation has proved to be one of unexpected complexity, and this must be my apology for the great length of the present paper. This was in part due to the fact that it was found impossible to consider adequately the changes in the orbit of the satellite, without a reconsideration of the parallel changes in the planet. Thus some of the ground covered in the previous paper on ‘‘Precession” had to be retraversedl; but as the methods here employed are quite different from those used before, this repetition has not been without some advantage.