Creep tide theory: equations for differentiated bodies with aligned layers

Abstract

The creep tide theory is used to establish the basic equations of the tidal evolution of differentiated bodies formed by aligned homogeneous layers in co-rotation. The mass concentration of the body is given by the fluid Love number $$k_f$$ . The formulas are given by series expansions valid for high eccentricity systems. They are equivalent to Darwin’s equations, but formally more compact. An application to the case of Enceladus, with $$k_f=0.942$$ , is discussed.