Convergence of Liapunov series for Huygens–Roche Figures

According to the classical theory of equilibrium figures, surfaces of equal density, potential and pressure concur (let us call them isobars). Isobars can be represented by means of Liapunov power series in small parameter q, up to the first approximation coinciding with the centrifugal to gravitational force ratio at the equator. Liapunov has proved the existence of the universal convergence domain: the above mentioned series converge for all bodies (satisfying a natural condition that the density ρ decreases from the center to the surface) if |q| < q*. Using Liapunov’s algorithm and symbolic manipulation tools, we have found q*= 0.000370916. Evidently, the convergence radius q* may be much greater in common situations. To comfirm it it is reasonable to consider two limiting and one or two intermediate cases for the density behaviour: ρ is a constant, the Dirac’s δ-function, linear function of the distance from the center, etc. And indeed, in the previous paper we find a three orders of magnitude greater value for homogeneous figures. In the present paper we find that in the opposite case of Huygens-Roche figures (a point-mass surrounded by a weightless atmosphere) the convergence radius is unexpectedly large and coincides with the well-known biggest possible value q*= 0.541115598 for such a class of figures. To ascertain it we ought to use numerical calculations, so our main result is demonstrated by means of a computer assisted proof. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Convergence of Liapunov Series for Maclaurin Ellipsoids

According to the classical theory of equilibrium figures surfaces of equal density, potential and pressure concur (let call them isobars). Isobars may be represented by means of Liapunov power series in small parameter q, up to the first approximation coincident with centrifugal to gravitational force ratio on the equator. A. M. Liapunov has proved the existence of the universal convergence radius q : above mentioned series converge for all bodies if q < q . Using Liapunov's algorithm and symbolic calculus tools we have calculated q = 0.000370916. Evidently, convergence radius q ₀ may be much greater in non-pathological situations. We plan to examine several simplest cases. In the present paper, we find q ₀ for homogeneous liquid. The convergence radius turns out to be unexpectedly large coinciding with the upper boundary value q ₀ = 0.337 for Maclaurin ellipsoids.     

An efficient method to calculate Ambarzumian-Chandrasekhar's and hopf's functions

An efficient method is proposed to calculate scalar Ambarzumian-Chandrasekhar's and Hopf's functions. This method is based on the approximation of Sobolev's resolvent function using exponent series, the coefficients of which are readily found from approximate characteristic equation and from a system of linear algebraic equations.The approximate expressions for the above functions are given. For checking purposes the calculations were carried out in single, double, and quadruple precision. For isotropic, Rocard, and Rayleigh scattering we present a sample of results in 14 significant figures.The Hopf function for isotropic and Rayleigh scattering is presented in 18 significant figures and the well-known Hopf constantq() is found in 59 significant figures.     

Fast computation of complete elliptic integrals and Jacobian elliptic functions

As a preparation step to compute Jacobian elliptic functions efficiently, we created a fast method to calculate the complete elliptic integral of the first and second kinds, K(m) and E(m), for the standard domain of the elliptic parameter, 0 < m < 1. For the case 0 < m < 0.9, the method utilizes 10 pairs of approximate polynomials of the order of 9–19 obtained by truncating Taylor series expansions of the integrals. Otherwise, the associate integrals, K(1 − m) and E(1 − m), are first computed by a pair of the approximate polynomials and then transformed to K(m) and E(m) by means of Jacobi’s nome, q, and Legendre’s identity relation. In average, the new method runs more-than-twice faster than the existing methods including Cody’s Chebyshev polynomial approximation of Hastings type and Innes’ formulation based on q-series expansions. Next, we invented a fast procedure to compute simultaneously three Jacobian elliptic functions, sn(u|m), cn(u|m), and dn(u|m), by repeated usage of the double argument formulae starting from the Maclaurin series expansions with respect to the elliptic argument, u, after its domain is reduced to the standard range, 0 ≤ u < K(m)/4, with the help of the new method to compute K(m). The new procedure is 25–70% faster than the methods based on the Gauss transformation such as Bulirsch’s algorithm, sncndn, quoted in the Numerical Recipes even if the acceleration of computation of K(m) is not taken into account.     

2D calculations of the collapse of magnetized gas cloud

All the families of planar symmetric simple-periodic orbits of the photogravitational restricted plane circular three-body problem, are determined numerically in the case when the primaries are of equal mass and radiate with equal radiation factors (q ₁=q₂=q). We obtain a global view of the possible patterns of periodic three-body motion while the full range of values of the common radiation factor is explored, from the gravitational case (q=1) down to near the critical value at which the triangular equilibria disappear by coalescing with the inner equilibrium pointL ₁ on the rotating axis of the primaries. It is found that for large deviations of its value from the gravitational case the radiation factorq can have a strong effect on the structure of the families.     

Effective Hamiltonian for the D'Alembert Planetary Model Near a Spin/Orbit Resonance

The D'Alembert model for the spin/orbit problem in celestial mechanics is considered. Using a Hamiltonian formalism, it is shown that in a small neighborhood of a p:q spin/orbit resonance with (p,q) different from (1,1) and (2,1) the 'effective' D'Alembert Hamiltonian is a completely integrable system with phase space foliated by maximal invariant curves; instead, in a small neighborhood of a p:q spin/orbit resonance with (p,q) equal to (1,1) or (2,1) the 'effective' D'Alembert Hamiltonian has a phase portrait similar to that of the standard pendulum (elliptic and hyperbolic equilibria, separatrices, invariant curves of different homotopy). A fast averaging with respect to the 'mean anomaly' is also performed (by means of Nekhoroshev techniques) showing that, up to exponentially small terms, the resonant D'Alembert Hamiltonian is described by a two-degrees-of-freedom, properly degenerate Hamiltonian having the lowest order terms corresponding to the 'effective' Hamiltonian mentioned above.     

The stability of inner collinear equilibrium points in the photogravitational elliptic restricted problem

The linear stability of the inner collinear equilibrium point of the photogravitational elliptic restricted three-body problem is examined and the stability regions are determined in the space of the parameters of mass, eccentricity and radiation pressure. The case of equal radiation factors of the two primaries is considered and the full range of values of the common radiation factor is explored, from the caseq ₁ =q ₂ =q = 1/8 at which the triangular equilibria disappear by coalescing on the rotating axis of the primaries transferring their stability to the collinear point, down toq = 0 at which value the stability regions in theµ - e plane disappear by shrinking down to zero size. It is found that radiation pressure exerts a significant influence on the stability regions. For certain intervals of radiation values these regions become qualitatively different from the gravitational case as well as the solar system case. They evolve as in the case of the triangular equilibrium point considered in a previous paper. There exist values of the common radiation factor, in the range considered, for which the collinear equilibrium point is stable for the entire range of mass distribution among the primaries and for large eccentricities of their orbits.     

Weak ion-acoustic double layers in a plasma with a <Emphasis Type="Italic">q</Emphasis>-nonextensive electron velocity distribution

Weak ion-acoustic double-layers (IA-DLs) in a two-component plasma are investigated in the context of the nonextensive statistics proposed by Tsallis. Due to the entropic index q, our plasma model can admit compressive as well as rarefactive IA-DLs. It is shown that the values \frac53 < q < 3\frac{5}{3}q-parameters for the existence of small-DLs. As long as the Mach number M is less than ∼1.42, the only admissible q-values which may lead to IA-DLs are all positive. For −1<q<1 (1<q<5/3), the effect of increasing q is to lower (to shift towards higher values) the critical Mach number M _cr above which only compressive IA-DL are admitted. Beyond q=3, only compressive small-amplitude ion-acoustic double layers are observed. Furthermore, due to the flexibility of the q-parameter, the obtained results bring a possibility to deal with small-DLs with relatively high Mach numbers. Our investigation may be of wide relevance to astronomers and space scientists working on interstellar plasmas.     

Linear stability of the triangular equilibrium points in the photogravitational elliptic restricted problem,II

The linear stability of the triangular equilibrium points in the photogravitational elliptic restricted three-body problem is examined and the stability regions are determined in the space of the parameters of mass, eccentricity, and radiation pressure, in the case of equal radiation factors of the two primaries. The full range of values of the common radiation factor is explored, from the gravitational caseq ₁ =q ₂ =q = 1 down to the critical value ofq = 1/8 at which the triangular equilibria disappear by coalescing on the rotating axis of the primaries. It is found that radiation pressure exerts a significant influence on the stability regions. For certain intervals of radiation values these regions become qualitatively different from the gravitational case as well as the solar system case considered in Paper I. There exist values of the common radiation factor, in the range considered, for which the triangular equilibrium points are stable for the entire range of mass distribution among the primaries and for large eccentricities of their orbits.     

Small perturbations in flat galaxies

The aim of this series of papers is to develop straightforward methods of computing the response of flat galaxies to small perturbations. This Paper I considers steady state problems; Paper II considers time varying perturbations and the effects of resonances; and Paper III applies the methods developed in Papers I and II to a numerical study of the stability of flat galaxies.The general approach is to study the dynamics of each individual orbit. The orbits are described by their apocentric and pericentric radii,r _a andr _p , and the distribution function of an equilibrium model is a function ofr _a andr _p . The mass density and potential corresponding to a distribution function is found by means of an expansion in Hankel-Laguerre functions; the coefficients of the expansion being found by taking moments of the mass density of the individual orbits. This leads to a simple method of constructing equilibrium models.The response to a small perturbation is found by seeking the response of each orbit. When the perturbations are axisymmetric and slowly varying, the response can be easily found using adiabatic invariants. The potential is expanded in a series of Hankel-Laguerre functions, and the response operator becomes a discrete matrix. The condition that the model is stable against adiabatic radial perturbations is that the largest eigenvalue of the response matrix should be less than one.An analytic approximation to the response matrix is derived, and applied to estimate the eccentricity needed for stability against local perturbations.     

Numerical exploration of the photogravitational restricted five-body problem

We study numerically the restricted five-body problem when some or all the primary bodies are sources of radiation. The allowed regions of motion as determined by the zero-velocity surface and corresponding equipotential curves, as well as the positions of the equilibrium points are given. We found that the number of the collinear equilibrium points of the problem depends on the mass parameter β and the radiation factors q _i , i=0,…,3. The stability of the equilibrium points are also studied. Critical masses associated with the number of the equilibrium points and their stability are given. The network of the families of simple symmetric periodic orbits, vertical critical periodic solutions and the corresponding bifurcation three-dimensional families when the mass parameter β and the radiation factors q _i vary are illustrated. Series, with respect to the mass (and to the radiation) parameter, of critical periodic orbits are calculated.     

On Szebehely's problem for holonomic systems involving generalized potential functions

We consider the problem of finding the generalized potential function V = U _i(q ¹, q ²,..., q ⁿ)q ⁱ + U(q ¹, q ²,...;q ⁿ) compatible with prescribed dynamical trajectories of a holonomic system. We obtain conditions necessary for the existence of solutions to the problem: these can be cast into a system of n – 1 first order nonlinear partial differential equations in the unknown functions U ₁, U ₂,...;, U _n, U. In particular we study dynamical systems with two degrees of freedom. Using adapted coordinates on the configuration manifold M ₂ we obtain, for potential function U(q ¹, q ²), a classic first kind of Abel ordinary differential equation. Moreover, we show that, in special cases of dynamical interest, such an equation can be solved by quadrature. In particular we establish, for ordinary potential functions, a classical formula obtained in different way by Joukowsky for a particle moving on a surface.Work performed with the support of the Gruppo Nazionale di Fisica Matematica (G.N.F.M.) of the Italian National Research Council.     

Electron acoustic double layers in a plasma with a <Emphasis Type="Italic">q</Emphasis>-nonextensive electron velocity distribution

Electron-acoustic double-layers (EA-DLs) are addressed in a plasma with a q-nonextensive electron velocity distribution. The domain of their allowable Mach numbers depends drastically on the plasma parameters and, in particular, on the electron nonextensivity. As the electrons evolve far away from their thermodynamic equilibrium, the negative EA-DLs shrinks and may develop into compressive EA-DLs. Our results may be relevant to the double-layers observed both in the auroral region and the plasma sheet of Earth’s magnetosphere (during enhanced magnetic activity). These DLs associated parallel electric fields are thought to be responsible for particle (electrons and ions) acceleration. Furthermore, our theoretical analysis brings a possibility to develop more refined theories of nonlinear cosmic DLs that may occur in astrophysical plasmas.     

Motion of rigid bodies in a set of redundant variables

In this article we study the conditions for obtaining canonical transformationsy=f(x) of the phase space, wherey(y ₁,y ₂,...,y _2n ) andx(x ₁,x ₂,...,x _2m ) in such a way that the number of variables is increased. In particular, this study is applied to the rotational motion in functions of the Eulerian parameters (q ₀,q ₁,q ₂,q ₃) and their conjugate momenta (Q ₀,Q ₁,Q ₂,Q ₃) or in functions of complex variables (z ₁,z ₂,z ₃,z ₄) and their conjugate momenta (Z ₁,Z ₂,Z ₃,Z ₄) defined by means of the previous variables. Finally, our article include some properties on the rotational motion of a rigid body moving about a fixed point.     

Riemann Ellipsoids with Spherical Halos

Possible ellipsoidal figures of equilibrium are obtained for a rotating, gravitating fluid mass with internal mass flows of constant vorticity, embedded inside a homogeneous gravitating sphere. The classical ellipsoidal figures of equilibrium are generalized and new S-ellipsoids and ellipsoids with oblique rotation are obtained. The stability of embedded S-ellipsoids is investigated and the criterion for their stability is obtained. The existence of an ellipsoid with oblique rotation of type II inside a relatively dense halo becomes impossible.     

Normal form,Lie-Poisson structure and reduction for the Henon-Heiles system

The reduced Henon-Heiles system is investigated as a Hamiltonian dynamical system obtained by applying the normalization of the HamiltonianH=1/2(p ₁ ² +p ₂ ² +q ₁ ² +q ₂ ² )+1/3q ₁ ³ –q ₁ q ₂ ² to fourth-degree terms. The related equations of motion are bi-Hamiltonian and possess the Lie-Poisson structure. Each Lie-Poisson structure possesses an associated Casimir function. When reduced to level sets of these functions, the equations of motion take various symplectic forms. The various reductions give different coordinate representations of the solutions. These coordinate representations are used to seek the simplest representation of the solutions.     

Nonlinear pseudo-radial oscillation of a rotating magnetic star

The nonlinear pseudo-radial mode of oscillation of a rotating magnetic star is studied. It is shown that for a general rotational field, the coupling between magnetic field and rotation tends to reduce the average rotational energy parameterT. This result in a lowering of the maximum pulsation amplitudeq _max, which depends on strength of rotation and magnetic field. The configuration tends, therefore, to a new equilibrium state at lower value ofq _max. The analytic solution of the pulsation equation for the case ofy=5/3 in the presence of rotation and magnetic field has also been derived in the Appendix.     

The behaviour of neutral lines in two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic equilibria

Nonlinear equilibrium solutions for two-dimensional magnetic arcades (/z = 0) using a Grad-Shafranov equation in which the axial magnetic field and the pressure are specified as functions of the component of the vector potential in the z direction are re-examined.To compute nonlinear solutions one is restricted to seeking solutions on finite computational domains with specified boundary conditions. We consider two basic models which have appeared in the literature. In one model the field is laterally restricted by means of Dirichlet boundary conditions and free to extend vertically by means of a Neumann condition at the top of the domain. For such fields, bifurcating solutions only appear for a narrow range of values for the parameter (the ratio of a typical length scale of the field to the gravitational scale height). Nevertheless, we show that the presence of this parameter is essential for bifurcating solutions in such domains. For the second model with Neumann conditions on three sides of the domain representing the region above the photosphere we do not find bifurcating solutions. Instead high-energy solutions with detached field lines evolve smoothly from low-energy solutions which have all field lines attached to the photosphere. Again the presence or absence of detached flux is dependent on the magnitude of for those fields which are evolved quasi-statically via an increase in the plasma pressure.     

Basic Functions of the Light Curve Analysis of Eclipsing Variables in the Frequency Domain

An analytically tractable method of transforming the problem of light curve analysis of eclipsing binaries from the time domain into the frequency domain was introduced by Kopal (1975, 1979, 1990). This method uses a new general formulation of eclipse functions α, the so-called moments A _2m , and their combinations as g _2m = A _2m+2/(A _2m A _2m+4) functions for the basic spherical model. In this paper, I will review the use of these functions in the light curve analysis of eclipsing binaries.     

Recurrence formulae for the Hansen's developments

In this paper we derive some recurrence formulae which can be used to calculate the Fourier expansions of the functions (r/a) ⁿ cosmv and (r/a) ⁿ sinmv in terms of the eccentric anomalyE or the mean anomalyM. We also establish a recurrence process for computing the series expansions for alln andm when the expansions of two basic series are known. These basic series were given in explicit form in the classical literature. The recurrence formulae are linear in the functions involved and thus make very simple the computation of the series.This work was supported by NASA contract No. NASr 54(06).—The paper was presented at the AIAA/AAS meeting, Princeton University, August 1969.