A comment on 'Accurate spin axes and solar system dynamics'

Abstract

In a recent paper, Edvardsson etal (2002) propose a new solution for the spin evolution of the Earth and Mars. Their results differ significantly with respect to previous studies, as they found a large contribution on the precession of the planet axis from the tidal effects of Phobos and Deimos. In fact, this probably results from the omission by the authors of the torques exerted on the satellites orbits by the planet's equatorial bulge, as otherwise the average torque exerted by the satellites on the planet is null.