Tidal locking Natural satellite

most regular moons (natural satellites following relatively close , prograde orbits small orbital inclination , eccentricity) in solar system tidally locked respective primaries, meaning same side of natural satellite faces planet. known exception saturn s natural satellite hyperion, rotates chaotically because of gravitational influence of titan.

in contrast, outer natural satellites of giant planets (irregular satellites) far away have become locked. example, jupiter s himalia, saturn s phoebe, , neptune s nereid have rotation periods in range of ten hours, whereas orbital periods hundreds of days.