Orbital Resonance

Orbital resonance occurs when two celestial bodies exert a regular, periodic gravitational influence on each other due to their orbital movements. This usually happens when their orbital periods are related by a simple ratio, like 2:1 or 3:2. For example, if one planet orbits the sun twice while another orbits once, they are in a 2:1 resonance. This interaction can affect their orbits, leading to stable configurations or, in some cases, destabilizing effects. Resonance is important for understanding the dynamics of planetary systems, moons, and even the rings of planets.