Orbital resonance occurs when moons’ periods are simple fractions of each other, like Jupiter’s Galilean moons Io, Europa, and Ganymede. This stabilizes orbits and can induce tidal heating.
Resonances maintain orbital stability over billions of years.
They influence geological activity and potential habitability on moons.
Io, Europa, and Ganymede are locked in a 1:2:4 resonance pattern.
[NASA, nasa.gov]