Triple close approaches in the problem of three bodies

The gravitational problem of three bodies is treated in the case when the masses of the participating bodies are of the same order of magnitude and their distances are arbitrary. Estimates for the minimum perimeter of the triangle formed by the bodies and for the rate of the expansion of the system are obtained from Sundman's modified general inequality when the total energy of the system is negative. These estimates are used to propose and to describe an escape mechanism based on genuine three-body dynamics and to offer a method to control the accuracy of numerical integrations of the problem of three bodies. The requirements for these two applications are contradictory since an escape is the consequence of a close triple approach which phenomenon is detrimental to the accuracy of the computations. Consequently, the numerical study of escape from a triple system must treat triple close approaches with high reliability.Presented at the Conference on Celestial Mechanics, Oberwolfach, Germany, August 27–September 2, 1972.     

Analysis of Families of Triple Close Approaches Occurring inStellar Systems in Three Dimensions (II)

This is the second paper of a trilogy dealing with the role of triple encounters with low initial velocities and equal masses in the evolution of stellar systems in three dimensional space. It shows how a condition of complete collapse may be perturbed to obtain well-established families of asymmetric triple close approaches with systematic regularity of escape with the formation of a binary. The main result is that when perturbation is introduced two close approaches called the first close approach and the second close approach occur in the same plane but the binary formed and the escaper are not in that plane. Further it is observed that the conjecture of Szebehely (1977) viz. `The measure of escaping orbits is significantly higher than the measure of stable orbits' is likely to be true. The third and last paper offers applications in stellar systems. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Main features of dynamical escape from three-dimensional triple systems

The dynamical evolution of triple systems with equal and unequal-mass components and different initial velocities is studied. It is shown that, in general, the statistical results for the planar and three-dimensional triple systems do not differ significantly. Most (about 85%) of the systems disrupt; the escape of one component occurs after a triple approach of the components. In a system with unequal masses, the escaping body usually has the smallest mass. A small fraction (about 15%) of stable or long-lived systems is formed if the angular momentum is non-zero. Averages, distributions and coefficients of correlations of evolutionary characteristics are presented: the life-time, angular momentum, numbers of wide and close triple approaches of bodies, relative energy of escapers, minimum perimeter during the last triple approach resulting in escape, elements of orbits of the final binary and escaper.     

Close triple approaches and escape in the three-body problem

We have studied a total of 5000 close triple approaches resulting in escape, for equal-mass systems with zero initial velocities. Escape is shown to take place in the majority of the cases after a fly-by close triple approach when the escaper passes near the centre of mass along an almost straight-line orbit. A number of configurational and kinematical parameters are introduced in order to characterize the triple approach. The distributions of these parameters are investigated. A comparison with 831 examples in the vicinity of the so-called Pythagorean problem is carried out. We find that the general features of close triple approaches which result in escape are the same for both types of systems.     

Analysis of Two-Parameter Families of Triple Close ApproachesOccurring in Stellar Systems (I)

The analysis of two-parameter families of triple close approaches occurring in stellar systems is studied in a series of three papers. This paper deals with the role of triple encounters with low initial velocities and equal masses in the evolution of stellar systems. It shows how a condition of complete collapse may be perturbed to obtain well-established two-parameter families of asymmetric triple close approaches with the formation of a binary and with systematic regularity of escape of the third body. Our results also indicate that the conjecture of Szebehely viz., `The measure of escaping orbits is significantly higher than the measure of stable orbits' is likely to be true. Further our results differ from that of Agekian's escape probability criterian. The second paper deals with the role of triple encounters with low initial velocities and equal masses in the evolution of stellar systems in 3D space. The third and last paper offers applications in stellar systems. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Mass effects in the problem of three bodies

This is a study of the dynamical behavior of three point masses moving under their mutual gravitational attraction in a plane. The initial positions and velocities are identical for all cases studied and only the masses of the participating bodies change in the series of numerical experiments. In this way the effect of the coupling terms in the differential equations of motion are investigated. The motion in all 125 cases begins with an interplay between the three bodies, followed by temporary ejections or by an eventual escape. The total mass of the system is kept constant while the massratios change from 1 to 5. The initial velocities being zero, the total energy is negative in all cases.Approximately 74% of the cases disintegrated (i.e. two bodies formed a binary and the third body escaped) in less than 140 time units, 47% in less than 50 time units and 10% ended in escape in less than 10 time units. Considering three stars with total mass 12M , initially placed at 3, 4 and 5 parsec distances (or three galaxies with mass 2.4×10¹² M , initially placed 30, 40 and 50 kpc apart), the unit of time (approximately the crossing time) becomes 1.5×10⁷ y (3.2×10⁷ y). The average time of disintegration was found to be of the order of 10⁹ y. The average semi-major axis of the binaries left behind after disintegration was 0.7 parsec and the average value of the eccentricity was 0.76. The effect of the masses on the escapes was established and it was found that the bodynot with the smallest mass escaped in 13% of the disintegrated cases. The cases which did not disintegrate in 150 time units were analyzed in detail and the time of their eventual escape was estimated.The numerical results are tabulated regarding escape time, ejection period, total energy, escape energy, terminal velocity, semi-major axis, and eccentricity.The evolution of triple systems is followed from interplays through ejections to escapes and the orbital parameters for the separation of these classes are estimated.     

Dynamical evolution of triple systems

This article reviews numerical experiments on the three-body problem carried out at the Leningrad University Astronomical Observatory during the past 20 years. Systematic studies of triple systems with negative total energy have yielded the following main results. Most (95%) of the systems decay; the decay always occurs after a close triple approach of the components. In a system with unequal masses, the escaping body usually has the smallest mass. A small fraction (5%) of quasi-stable systems is formed if the angular momentum is non-zero. The qualitative evolution in three-dimensional cases is the same as for planar systems. Small changes in initial conditions sometimes lead to substantial differences in the final outcome. The decay of triple systems is a stochastic process similar to radioactive decay. The estimated mean lifetime is 100 crossing times for equal-mass components and decreases for increasing mass dispersion.A classification of the close triple approaches which lead to immediate escape is given for equal-mass systems as well as for selected sets of unequal components. Detailed studies of close triple approaches by computer simulations reveal that the early evolutions is determined by the initial ratio of the interaction forces. The review concludes by discussing applications of the results to observational problems of stellar and extragalactic systems.     

Control of chaos in the vicinity of the Earth‐Moon L5 Lagrangian point to keep a spacecraft in orbit

The concept of Space Manifold Dynamics is a new method of space research. We have applied it along with the basic idea of the method of Ott, Grebogi, and York (OGY method) to stabilize the motion of a spacecraft around the triangular Lagrange point L₅ of the Earth‐Moon system. We have determined the escape rate of the trajectories in the general three‐ and four‐body problem and estimated the average lifetime of the particles. Integrating the two models we mapped in detail the phase space around the L₅ point of the Earth‐Moon system. Using the phase space portrait our next goal was to apply a modified OGY method to keep a spacecraft close to the vicinity of L₅. We modified the equation of motions with the addition of a time dependent force to the motion of the spacecraft. In our orbit‐keeping procedure there are three free parameters: (i) the magnitude of the thrust, (ii) the start time, and (iii) the length of the control. Based on our numerical experiments we were able to determine possible values for these parameters and successfully apply a control phase to a spacecraft to keep it on orbit around L₅. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Triple approaches in the plane isosceles equal-mass three-body problem

We analyze flyby-type triple approaches in the plane isosceles equal-mass three-body problem and in its vicinity. At the initial time, the central body lies on a straight line between the other two bodies. Triple approaches are described by two parameters: virial coefficient k and parameter $\mu = \dot r/\sqrt {\dot r^2 + \dot R^2 }$ , where $\dot r$ is the relative velocity of the extreme bodies and $\dot R$ is the velocity of the central body relative to the center of mass of the extreme bodies. The evolution of the triple system is traceable until the first turn or escape of the central body. The ejection length increases with closeness of the triple approach (parameter k). The longest ejections and escapes occur when the extreme bodies move apart with a low velocity at the time of triple approach. We determined the domain of escapes; it corresponds to close triple approaches (k>0.8) and to μ in the range ?0.2<μ<0.7. For small deviations from the isosceles problem, the evolution does not differ qualitatively from the isosceles case. The domain of escapes decreases with increasing deviations. In general, the ejection length increases for wide approaches and decreases for close approaches.     

The rectilinear restricted problem of three bodies

In this paper we discuss some aspects of the isosceles case of the rectilinear restricted problem of three bodies, where two primaries of equal mass move on rectilinear ellipses, and the particle is confined to the symmetry axis of the system. In particular, the behaviour near a collision of the primaries and also near a collision of all three bodies is investigated. It is shown that this latter singularity is a triple collision in the sense of Siegel's theory. Furthermore, asymptotic expansions for the particle's motion during a parabolic and a hyperbolic escape are derived.Presented at the Conference on Celestial Mechanics, Oberwolfach, Germany, August 27–September 2, 1972.     

Strong triple interactions in the general three-body problem

Strong three-body interactions play a decisive role in the course of the dynamical evolution of triple systems having positive as well as negative total energies. These interactions may produce qualitative changes in the relative motions of the components. In triple systems with positive or zero total energies the processes of formation, disruption or exchange of the components of binaries take place as the result of close approaches of the three single bodies or as the result of the passages of single bodies past wide or hard binaries. In the triple systems with negative energies, the strong triple interactions may result in an escape from the system as well as a formation of a hard final binary. This paper summarizes the general results of the studies of the strong three-body interactions in the triple systems with positive and negative energies. These studies were conducted at the Leningrad University Observatory by computer simulations during 1968–1989.     

Trojan-type orbits in the system of two gravitational centers with variable masses and separation

Trojan type orbits in the system of two gravitational centers with variable separation are studied within the framework of the restricted problem of three bodies. The backward numerical integration of the equations of motion of the bodies starting in the triangular libration pointsL ₄ andL ₅ (reverse problem) finds the breakdown of librations as the separation decreases because of the mass gain of the smaller component and an approach of the body of negligible, mass to the latter up to the distance below its sphere of action with a relative velocity approximately equal to the escape one on this sphere. The breakdown of librations aboutL ₅ occurs under the mass gain of the smaller component considerably larger than in the case ofL ₄ and implications are made for the asymmetry of the number of librators aboutL ₄ andL ₅ in the solar system (Greeks and Trojans). Other parameters of the libration motion near 1/1 commensurability are obtained, namely, the asymmetry of the libration amplitudes about the triangular points as well as the values of periods and amplitudes within the limits of those for real Trojan asteroids. Trojans could be supposedly, formed inside the Proto-jupiter and escape during its intensive mass loss.     

The three-body problem near triple collision

The behaviour of three gravitationally interacting particles in a plane, which approach each other almost on a central configuration, is studied. Linearization near a Lagrangean solution and matching methods lead to the following results: (i) After a close triple encounter in the planar problem of three bodies, one particle generally escapes with an arbitrarily large asymptotic velocity. (ii) Particular cases of actual triple collisions may be extended by the method of Easton.     

Global chaoticity in the Pythagorean three-body problem

The effects of small changes in the initial conditions of the Pythagorean three-body problem are investigated by computer simulations. This problem consists of three interacting bodies with masses 3, 4 and 5 placed with zero velocities at the apices of a triangle with sides 3, 4 and 5. The final outcome of this motion is that two bodies form a binary and the third body escapes. We attempt to establish regions of the initial positions which give regular and chaotic motions. The vicinity of a small neighbourhood around the standard initial position of each body defines a regular region. Other regular regions also exist. Inside these regions the parameters of the triple systems describing the final outcome change continuously with the initial positions. Outside the regular regions the variations of the parameters are abrupt when the initial conditions change smoothly. Escape takes place after a close triple approach which is very sensitive to the initial conditions. Time-reversed solutions are employed to ensure reliable numerical results and distinguish between predictable and non-predictable motions. Close triple approaches often result in non-predictability, even when using regularization; this introduces fundamental difficulties in establishing chaotic regions.     

Numerical explorations of the rectilinear problem of three bodies

We present some results of a numerical exploration of the rectilinear problem of three bodies, with the two outer masses equal. The equations of motion are first given in relative coordinates and in regularized variables, removing both binary collision singularities in a single coordinate transformation. Among our most important results are seven periodic solutions and three symmetric triple collision solutions. Two of these periodic solutions have been continued into families, the outer massm ₃ being the family parameter. One of these families exists for all masses while the second family is a branch of the first at a second-kind critical orbit. This last family ends in a triple collision orbit.Proceedings of the Sixth Conference on Mathematical Methods in Celestial Mechanics held at Oberwolfach (West Germany) from 14 to 19 August, 1978.     

Dynamical evolution of triple systems with big differences in the masses of bodies. A criterion for stability

The dynamical evolution of about 1.5 million planar hierarchical triple systems with a negative total energy and different-mass bodies is investigated by computer simulations. We considered both cases — prograde and retrograde motions of bodies. For every system, calculations were carried out either till a time when the Marchal'set al. (1984) criterion of escape of a body from a triple system was satisfied (the unstable triple systems) or during 1000 rotations of a total system (the stable triple systems). Computations were carried out on three computers-Sunstations in the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, India during several months continuously. We changed smoothly the initial value of the coefficient of hierarchy of triples $$q = r_{3 - 12} /r_{12} $$ Wherer ₁₂ is a distance between close bodiesM1,M2 andr _3–12 is a distance between their center of masses and a distant bodyM3. We define critical (minimum) values of the coefficientq of hierarchy of stable triple systems with a relative accuracy δq=1%. Ratios of masses of bodies belong to the interval [0.13, 244.00]. A possibility of extention of these results for hierarchical subsystems with different multiplicities inside clusters is discussed.     

Orbital Distribution Arbitrarily Close to the Homothetic Equilateral Triple Collision in the Free‐Fall Three‐Body Problem with Equal Masses

The existence of escape and nonescape orbits arbitrarily close to the homothetic equilateral triplecollision orbit is considered analytically in the threebody problem with zero initial velocities and equal masses. It is proved that escape orbits in the initial condition space are distributed around three kinds of isosceles orbits. It is also proved that nonescape orbits are distributed in between the escape orbits where different particles escape. In order to show this, it is proved that the homotheticequilateral orbit is isolated from other triplecollision orbits as far as the collision at the first triple encounter is concerned. Moreover, the escape criterion is formulated in the planarisosceles problem and translated into the words of regularizing variables. The result obtained by us explains the orbital structure numerically.     

Initial conditions and dynamics of triple systems

The dynamical evolution of triple systems with equal-mass components and zero initial velocities is studied. We consider two regions of initial conditions: a regionD of all possible configurations of triples and a circleR. The configurations are distributed uniformly within these regions. The calculations have been carried out until a time when escape or conditional escape (i.e. distant ejection) of one component takes place. The accuracy has been checked by doing time-reversed integration. Types of predictable and non-predictable systems are revealed. Averages for a number of evolution parameters are presented: the life-time, minimum perimeter during the last triple approach resulting in escape, semi-major axis and eccentricity of the final binary, and the smallest separation between the components during the evolution. It is shown that the statistical results for the regionsD andR do not differ significantly for the most part. Our results, which have been obtaned by a three-body regularization method, are in good agreement with previous work based on the RK4 integrator and Sundman's time smoothing.     

Analytical investigation of non-linear stability of the Lagrangian pointL 4 around the commensurability 1:2

The problem of stability of the Lagrangian pointL ₄ in the circular restricted problem of three bodies is investigated close to the 1 : 2 commensurability of the long and short period libration. By stability we define boundedness of the solution for a given initial finite displacement from the equilibrium point as function of the mass parameter close to the commensurability. A rigorous treatment close to the resonance condition is possible using a transformation that diagonalizes the matrix related to the linear part of the equations of motion. The so obtained equations are further transformed to action angle type variables. Then using an isolated resonance approach, only the slowly varying terms are kept in the equations and two independent isolating first integrals can be found. These integrals finally enable us to solve the stability problem in an exact way. The so obtained results are compared to numeric integration of the equations of motion and are found to be in perfect agreement.     

Study of a triple emission nebula in Orion

The Hii regions S254, 255 and 257 in the constellation of Orion are close together on the sky and appear like a triple object. Fabry-Pérot radial velocities of the Hii regions as well asUBV photo-electric magnitudes of their exciting stars are obtained. The data show that (1) all three nebulae are at a distance of 2.5 kpc; (2) an excess extinction is observed in S255 and S257 while S254 shows no excess extinction; (3) S255, identified as an IR and a molecular source, is the youngest object of the group. It is concluded that the three Hii regions are at different evolutionary stages.