Tidal Locking Evolution

A moon's spin evolving toward synchronous rotation with its planet

Initial spin ω₀: 3.0x orbital Tidal Q⁻¹ (damping): 0.008 Speed: 1x

ω_spin = — | ω_orbital = 1.000 | Status: —

Tidal dissipation creates a torque that drives a moon toward synchronous (1:1) spin-orbit resonance. The locking timescale τ ∝ Qa⁶/(M_p²R_m⁵). The Moon locked to Earth in ~1 Gyr; Mercury is in a 3:2 resonance due to its eccentric orbit. Here the moon face marker shows the rotation visually.