The Effect of Tidal Friction on Eccentricity and Inclination

Abstract

Darwin's analysis for the effects of tidal friction on the eccentricity and inclination of a satellite's orbit is adapted to modern laws of imperfect elasticity and of friction in ocean currents. It appears that as the conditions make the lags in the tides nearly proportional to the speeds his results for small viscosity are qualitatively correct, since these have the same property. In particular the eccentricity and inclination of the Moon's orbit should now be increasing.