Dynamical evolution of the Prometheus-pandora system

Abstract

The system of Saturn's inner satellites is saturated with many resonances. Its structure should be strongly affected by tidal forces driving the satellites through several orbit-orbit resonances. The evolution of these satellites is investigated using analytic and numerical methods. We show that the pair of satellites Prometheus and Pandora has a particularly short lifetime (<20Myr) if the orbits of the satellites converge without capture into a resonance. The capture of Pandora into a resonance with Prometheus increases the lifetime of the couple by a few tens of Myr. However, resonances of the system are not well separated, and capture results in a chaotic motion. Secondary resonances also disrupt the resonant configurations. In all cases, the converging orbits of these two satellites result in a close encounter. The implications for the origin of Saturn's rings are discussed.