Tidal Locking Timescale Orbital Distance Calculator
Constant-Q circular-orbit approximate spin-locking time in seconds; fixed inertia, radius/Q/k2 and nonzero initial spin, no coupled tidal evolution.
Description
Tidal Locking Timescale Orbital Distance Calculator: return approximate locking seconds.
Tidal-locking timescales depend on the adopted dissipation and structural model. The strong orbital-distance dependence makes conventions and units important.
This tool returns approximate locking seconds. Use the stated units and model convention when interpreting these fields.
When to use this tool
Use this tool when the supplied inputs match the specific operation described above and you need a repeatable result under its stated convention.
- Check the supported input and output contract against an existing calculation or observation.
- Use the complete example to confirm units, selector spelling and result interpretation.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter every field in the input table using the stated units and the exact supported selector spelling where applicable.
- Run the tool. Correct input errors before interpreting an output.
- Read the result fields below; use accompanying flags and the stated sign, boundary or model convention when interpreting a number.
Evaluate the supplied initial spin times orbital distance to the sixth power, inertia and Q, divided by 3G, primary mass squared, Love number and radius to the fifth power.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| initialSpinRadS | Initial spin rad s. | Finite number |
| semimajorMeters | Semimajor meters. | Finite number |
| inertiaKgM2 | Inertia kg m2. Square meters. | Finite number |
| dissipationQ | Dissipation q. | Finite number |
| primaryMassKg | Primary mass kg. Kilograms. | Finite number |
| loveNumber | Love number. | Finite number |
| radiusMeters | Radius meters. | Finite number |
| Output field | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| result | Object containing the following named result fields. |
| result.approximateLockingSeconds | Approximate locking seconds; use the stated units and sign convention. |
{
"input": {
"initialSpinRadS": 1,
"semimajorMeters": 2,
"inertiaKgM2": 3,
"dissipationQ": 4,
"primaryMassKg": 5,
"loveNumber": 0.5,
"radiusMeters": 1
},
"output": {
"result": {
"approximateLockingSeconds": 306848658286.26227
}
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- The tool uses one constant-parameter timescale approximation rather than integrating a changing spin-orbit system.
- Every declared field is required and unexpected fields are rejected. Numeric inputs must be finite; input errors are distinct from a valid false result or an explicitly qualified output.
- Extremely large inputs and nonfinite or excessively large outputs are rejected. List positions reported by the tool use zero-based indices unless stated otherwise.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Check the underlying observations, units and conventions independently before using the result in a larger workflow. The tools listed below address nearby tasks; compare their inputs and scope before substituting one for this operation.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Magnetosphere Standoff Distance Solar Wind Pressure Calculator
Equatorial vacuum dipole magnetic-pressure balance radius; no magnetopause enhancement, reconnection/tilt or space-weather safety forecast.
- SETI Sensitivity Jansky Threshold Distance Estimate Calculator
Isotropic spectral-luminosity range at caller independently established flux-density threshold; Jy=1e-26 W m^-2 Hz^-1, no detection certainty.