Tidal dissipation in stars and giant planets

TL;DR

This paper reviews the mechanisms of tidal dissipation in stars and giant planets, examining how tidal interactions influence their long-term evolution and comparing theoretical models with observational data.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of both linear and nonlinear tidal dissipation mechanisms and assesses their relevance to observed astrophysical systems.

Findings

Tidal dissipation affects spin and orbital evolution over long timescales.

Theoretical models show varying efficiency of dissipation mechanisms.

Observations partially confirm the predicted effects of tidal dissipation.

Abstract

Astrophysical fluid bodies that orbit close to one another induce tidal distortions and flows that are subject to dissipative processes. The spin and orbital motions undergo a coupled evolution over astronomical timescales, which is relevant for many types of binary star, short-period extrasolar planetary systems and the satellites of the giant planets in the solar system. I review the principal mechanisms that have been discussed for tidal dissipation in stars and giant planets in both linear and nonlinear regimes. I also compare the expectations based on theoretical models with recent observational findings.