Tidal dissipation in stars and giant planets

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.