Tilt-over mode in a precessing triaxial ellipsoid

The tilt-over mode in a precessing tnaxial ellipsoid is studied theoretically and numerically Inviscid and viscous analytical models previously developed for the spheroidal geometry by Poincare [Bull Astron 27, 321 (1910)] and Busse [J Fluid Mech 33, 739 (1968)] are extended to this more complex geometry, which corresponds to a tidally deformed spinning astrophysical body As confirmed by three-dimensional numerical simulations, the proposed analytical model provides an accurate description of the stationary flow in an arbitrary triaxial ellipsoid, until the appearance at more vigorous forcing of time dependent flows driven by tidal and/or precessional instabilities (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics [doi 10 1063/1 3504356]