Geodetic Rotation of Neptune's Satellites.

The paper considers the most significant relativistic effects in the rotational dynamics of Neptune's satellites (Triton (N1), Naiad (N3), Thalassa (N4), Despina (N5), Galatea (N6), Larissa (N7), and Proteus (N8)). For the first time, the most significant secular and periodic terms of the geodetic rotation of Triton and six inner satellites of Neptune are determined in the angles of their rotation relative to the fixed equator of the Earth of the J2000.0 epoch, defined in the international coordinate system (ICRF), and the vernal equinox of the J2000.0 epoch and in the Euler angles relative to their own coordinate systems. The study showed that the value of geodetic rotation can be significant not only for bodies that revolve around supermassive central bodies, but also for close satellites of giant planets. The values obtained of the geodetic rotation for the system of satellites under study can be used for a numerical study of their rotation in the relativistic approximation, and also used to estimate the influence of relativistic effects on the orbital–rotational dynamics like heavenly bodies of exoplanetary systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]