Stability of L4 for radiated rigid primaries in resonant cases

The non-linear stability of the triangular libration point L₄ of the restricted three-body problem is studied under the presence of third- and fourth-order resonances, when the more massive primary is a triaxial rigid body and source of radiation. In this study, Markeev's theorems are applied with the help of Moser's theorem. It is found that the stability of the triangular libration point is unstable in the third-order resonance case and in the fourth-order resonance case, this is stable or unstable depending on A₁ and A₂, and a source of radiation parameter α, where A₁, A₂ depend upon the lengths of the semi-axes of the triaxial rigid body.     

Reduction and relative equilibria for the two-body problem on spaces of constant curvature

We consider the two-body problem on surfaces of constant nonzero curvature and classify the relative equilibria and their stability. On the hyperbolic plane, for each \(q>0\) we show there are two relative equilibria where the masses are separated by a distance q. One of these is geometrically of elliptic type and the other of hyperbolic type. The hyperbolic ones are always unstable, while the elliptic ones are stable when sufficiently close, but unstable when far apart. On the sphere of positive curvature, if the masses are different, there is a unique relative equilibrium (RE) for every angular separation except \(\pi /2\). When the angle is acute, the RE is elliptic, and when it is obtuse the RE can be either elliptic or linearly unstable. We show using a KAM argument that the acute ones are almost always nonlinearly stable. If the masses are equal, there are two families of relative equilibria: one where the masses are at equal angles with the axis of rotation (‘isosceles RE’) and the other when the two masses subtend a right angle at the centre of the sphere. The isosceles RE are elliptic if the angle subtended by the particles is acute and is unstable if it is obtuse. At \(\pi /2\), the two families meet and a pitchfork bifurcation takes place. Right-angled RE are elliptic away from the bifurcation point. In each of the two geometric settings, we use a global reduction to eliminate the group of symmetries and analyse the resulting reduced equations which live on a five-dimensional phase space and possess one Casimir function.     

Resonant motion in the restricted three body problem

The resonant structure of the restricted three body problem for the Sun- Jupiter asteroid system in the plane is studied, both for a circular and an elliptic orbit of Jupiter. Three typical resonances are studied, the 2 : 1, 3 : 1 and 4 : 1 mean motion resonance of the asteroid with Jupiter. The structure of the phase space is topologically different in these cases. These are typical for all other resonances in the asteroid problem. In each case we start with the unperturbed two-body system Sun-asteroid and we study the continuation of the periodic orbits when the perturbation due to a circular orbit of Jupiter is introduced. Families of periodic orbits of the first and of the second kind are presented. The structure of the phase space on a surface of section is also given. Next, we study the families of periodic orbits of the asteroid in the elliptic restricted problem with the eccentricity of Jupiter as a parameter. These orbits bifurcate from the families of the circular problem. Finally, we compare the above families of periodic orbits with the corresponding families of fixed points of the averaged problem. Different averaged Hamiltonians are considered in each resonance and the range of validity of each model is discussed.     

Existence and Stability of Libration Points in the Restricted Three-Body Problem When the Primaries are Triaxial Rigid Bodies

This paper deals with the stationary solutions of the planar restricted three-body problem when the primaries are triaxial rigid bodies with one of the axes as the axis of symmetry and its equatorial plane coinciding with the plane of motion. It is seen that there are five libration points, two triangular and three collinear. It is further observed that the collinear points are unstable, while the triangular points are stable for the mass parameter 0 < _crit(the critical mass parameter). It is further seen that the triangular points have long or short periodic elliptical orbits in the same range of .This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Second Fundamental Model of Resonance with Asymmetric Equilibria

We study the position and the stability of the equilibria for a generic Hamiltonian function developed up to the second harmonic and depending on two parameters; we describe the topology of the phase space for fixed values of these parameters. We show that for some values of the parameters asymmetric equilibria (unstable or stable) may appear. We deduce the conditions of capture into first order resonances for slowly drifting systems. We apply this model to the restricted three-body problem.     

Effect of oblateness on the non-linear stability of the triangular liberation points of the restricted three-body problem in the presence of resonances

The non-linear stability of the triangular libration points of the restricted three-body problem is studied under the presence of third and fourth order resonance's, when the more massive primary is an oblate spheroid. In this study Markeev's theorem are utilised with the help of KAM theorem. It is found that the stability of the triangular libration points are unstable in the third order resonance case and stable in the fourth order resonance case, for all the values of oblateness factor A₁. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Periodic rotations of a rigid body located at the libration point

Periodic rotations of a rigid body close to the flat motions were found. Their orbital stability was investigated. Analysis was done up to second order of the small parameter. It was proved that solutions found are orbitally stable except of the third order resonance case. This resonance do not appear if terms up to the first order of small parameter are considered only.     

Tilting Styx and Nix but not Uranus with a Spin-Precession-Mean-motion resonance

A Hamiltonian model is constructed for the spin axis of a planet perturbed by a nearby planet with both planets in orbit about a star. We expand the planet–planet gravitational potential perturbation to first order in orbital inclinations and eccentricities, finding terms describing spin resonances involving the spin precession rate and the two planetary mean motions. Convergent planetary migration allows the spinning planet to be captured into spin resonance. With initial obliquity near zero, the spin resonance can lift the planet’s obliquity to near 90\(^\circ \) or 180\(^\circ \) depending upon whether the spin resonance is first or zeroth order in inclination. Past capture of Uranus into such a spin resonance could give an alternative non-collisional scenario accounting for Uranus’s high obliquity. However, we find that the time spent in spin resonance must be so long that this scenario cannot be responsible for Uranus’s high obliquity. Our model can be used to study spin resonance in satellite systems. Our Hamiltonian model explains how Styx and Nix can be tilted to high obliquity via outward migration of Charon, a phenomenon previously seen in numerical simulations.     

On the stability of hypothetical satellites coorbital to Mimas or Enceladus

In the present work, we study the stability of hypothetical satellites that are coorbital with Enceladus and Mimas. We performed numerical simulations of 50 particles around the triangular Lagrangian equilibrium points of Enceladus and Mimas taking into account the perturbation of Mimas, Enceladus, Tethys, Dione, Titan and the oblateness of Saturn. All particles remain on tadpole orbits after 10 000 yr of integration. Since in the past the orbit of Enceladus and Mimas expanded due to the tidal perturbation, we also simulated the system with Enceladus and Mimas at several different values of semimajor axes. The results show that in general the particles remain on tadpole orbits. The exceptions occur when Enceladus is at semimajor axes that correspond to 6:7, 5:6 and 4:5 resonances with Mimas. Therefore, if Enceladus and Mimas had satellites librating around their Lagrangian triangular points in the past, they would have been removed if Enceladus crossed one of these first-order resonances with Mimas.     

Stability of the triangular libration points of the circular restricted problem in the presence of resonances

The stability of triangular libration points, when the bigger primary is a source of radiation and the smaller primary is an oblate spheroid. has been investigated in the resonance cases ₁ = 2₂ and ₁ = 3₂. The motion is unstable for all the values of parameters q and A when ₁ = 2₂ and the motion is unstable and stable depending upon the values of the parameters q and A when ₁ = 3₂. Here q is the radiation parameter and A is the oblateness parameter.     

Stability of Triangular Equilibrium Points in the Photogravitational Restricted Three-Body Problem with Oblateness and Potential from a Belt

We have examined the effects of oblateness up to J ₄ of the less massive primary and gravitational potential from a circum-binary belt on the linear stability of triangular equilibrium points in the circular restricted three-body problem, when the more massive primary emits electromagnetic radiation impinging on the other bodies of the system. Using analytical and numerical methods, we have found the triangular equilibrium points and examined their linear stability. The triangular equilibrium points move towards the line joining the primaries in the presence of any of these perturbations, except in the presence of oblateness up to J ₄ where the points move away from the line joining the primaries. It is observed that the triangular points are stable for 0 < μ < μ _c and unstable for \(\mu_{\mathrm{c}} \le \mu \le \frac {1}{2},\) where μ _c is the critical mass ratio affected by the oblateness up to J ₄ of the less massive primary, electromagnetic radiation of the more massive primary and potential from the belt, all of which have destabilizing tendencies, except the coefficient J₄ and the potential from the belt. A practical application of this model could be the study of motion of a dust particle near a radiating star and an oblate body surrounded by a belt.     

1:1 Ground-track resonance in a uniformly rotating 4th degree and order gravitational field

Using a gravitational field truncated at the 4th degree and order, the 1:1 ground-track resonance is studied. To address the main properties of this resonance, a 1-degree of freedom (1-DOF) system is firstly studied. Equilibrium points (EPs), stability and resonance width are obtained. Different from previous studies, the inclusion of non-spherical terms higher than degree and order 2 introduces new phenomena. For a further study about this resonance, a 2-DOF model which includes a main resonance term (the 1-DOF system) and a perturbing resonance term is studied. With the aid of Poincaré sections, the generation of chaos in the phase space is studied in detail by addressing the overlap process of these two resonances with arbitrary combinations of eccentricity (e) and inclination (i). Retrograde orbits, near circular orbits and near polar orbits are found to have better stability against the perturbation of the second resonance. The situations of complete chaos are estimated in the \(e-i\) plane. By applying the maximum Lyapunov Characteristic Exponent (LCE), chaos is characterized quantitatively and similar conclusions can be achieved. This study is applied to three asteroids 1996 HW1, Vesta and Betulia, but the conclusions are not restricted to them.     

Secular resonances between bodies on close orbits: a case study of the Himalia prograde group of jovian irregular satellites

The gravitational interaction between two objects on similar orbits can effect noticeable changes in the orbital evolution even if the ratio of their masses to that of the central body is vanishingly small. Christou (Icarus 174:215–229, 2005) observed an occasional resonant lock in the differential node \(\varDelta \varOmega \) between two members in the Himalia irregular satellite group of Jupiter in the N-body simulations (corresponding mass ratio \(\sim 10^{-9}\)). Using a semianalytical approach, we have reproduced this phenomenon. We also demonstrate the existence of two additional types of resonance, involving angle differences \(\varDelta \omega \) and \(\varDelta (\varOmega +\varpi )\) between two group members. These resonances cause secular oscillations in eccentricity and/or inclination on timescales \(\sim \)1 Myr. We locate these resonances in (a, e, i) space and analyse their topological structure. In subsequent N-body simulations, we confirm these three resonances and find a fourth one involving \(\varDelta \varpi \). In addition, we study the occurrence rates and the stability of the four resonances from a statistical perspective by integrating 1000 test particles for 100 Myr. We find \(\sim \)10 to 30 librators for each of the resonances. Particularly, the nodal resonance found by Christou is the most stable: 2 particles are observed to stay in libration for the entire integration.     

Local and global diffusion in the Arnold web of a priori unstable systems

Using the numerical techniques developed by Froeschlé et al. (Science 289 (5487): 2108–2110, 2000) and by Lega et al. (Physica D 182: 179–187, 2003) we have studied diffusion and stochastic properties of an a priori unstable 4D symplectic map. We have found two different kinds of diffusion that coexist for values of the perturbation below the critical value for the Chirikov overlapping of resonances. A fast diffusion along some resonant lines that exist already in the unperturbed case and a slow diffusion occurring in regions of the phase space far from such resonances. The latter one, although the system does not satisfy the Nekhoroshev hypothesis, decreases faster than a power law and possibly exponentially. We compare the diffusion coefficient to the indicators of stochasticity like the Lyapunov exponent and filling factor showing their behavior for chaotic orbits in regions of the Arnold web where the secondary resonances appear, or where they overlap.     

Exoplanetary systems: The role of an equilibrium at high mutual inclination in shaping the global behavior of the 3-D secular planetary three-body problem

On the basis of a high-order (order 12) expansion of the perturbative potential in powers of the eccentricities and the inclinations, we analyze the secular interactions of two non-coplanar planets which are not in mean-motion resonance. The model is based on the planetary three-body problem which can be reduced to two degrees of freedom by the well-known elimination of the nodes [Jacobi, C.G.J., 1842. Astron. Nachr. XX, 81-102]. We introduce non-singular canonical variables which bring forward the symmetries of the problem. The main dynamical features depend on the location and stability of the equilibria which are easily found with our analytical model. We find that there exists an equilibrium when both eccentricities are zero. When the mutual inclination is small, this equilibrium is stable, but for larger mutual inclination it becomes unstable, generating a large chaotic zone and, by bifurcation, two regular regions, the so-called Kozai resonances. This analytical study which depends on only two parameters (the ratio of the semi-major axes and the mass ratio of the planets) makes possible a large survey of the problem and enables us to identify and quantify its main dynamical features, periodic orbits, regular and chaotic zones, etc. The results of our analytical model are illustrated and confirmed by numerical integrations.     

On the Instability of Jupiter's Trojans

We have numerically explored the mechanisms that destabilize Jupiter's Trojan orbits outside the stability region defined by Levison et al. (1997, Nature385, 42-44). Different models have been exploited to test various possible sources of instability on timescales on the order of ∼10⁸ years.In the restricted three-body model, only a few Trojan orbits become unstable within 10⁸ years. This intrinsic instability contributes only marginally to the overall instability found by Levison et al.In a model where the orbital parameters of both Jupiter and Saturn are fixed, we have investigated the role of Saturn and its gravitational influence. We find that a large fraction of Trojan orbits become unstable because of the direct nonresonant perturbations by Saturn. By shifting its semimajor axis at constant intervals around its present value we find that the near 5:2 mean motion resonance between the two giant planets (the Great Inequality) is not responsible for the gross instability of Jupiter's Trojans since short-term perturbations by Saturn destabilize Trojans, even when the two planets are far out of the resonance.Secular resonances are an additional source of instability. In the full six-body model with the four major planets included in the numerical integration, we have analyzed the effects of secular resonances with the node of the planets. Trojan asteroids have relevant inclinations, and nodal secular resonances play an important role. When a Trojan orbit becomes unstable, in most cases the libration amplitude of the critical argument of the 1:1 mean motion resonance grows until the asteroid encounters the planet. Libration amplitude, eccentricity, and nodal rate are linked for Trojan orbits by an algebraic relation so that when one of the three parameters is perturbed, the other two are affected as well. There are numerous secular resonances with the nodal rate of Jupiter that fall inside the region of instability and contribute to destabilize Trojans, in particular the ν₁₆. Indeed, in the full model the escape rate over 50 Myr is higher compared to the fixed model.Some secular resonances even cross the stability region delimited by Levison et al. and cause instability. This is the case of the 3:2 and 1:2 nodal resonances with Jupiter. In particular the 1:2 is responsible for the instability of some clones of the L4 Trojan (3540) Protesilaos.     

The influence of line-tying on coronal perturbations in a gravitationally stratified equilibrium

We study the influence of gravitational stratification of the solar atmosphere on the stability of coronal magnetic structures. In particular we question whether the (presumably stabilizing) influence of the anchoring of the magnetic field lines in the solar photosphere (line-tying) can be adequately modelled by either rigid wall or flow-through boundary conditions on the coronal perturbations, as is commonly done. Using the ideal MHD model without gravitational effects,inertial line-tying alone cannot lead to afull stabilization, as marginal stability cannot be crossed by including only the rapid density increase at the photospheric interface.We demonstrate, using the (localized) ballooning ordering, that when gravity and the corresponding intrinsically stable stratification of the photosphere is included, the points of marginal stability are no longer independent of the density. The sharp increase in density and associated decrease in pressure scale height at the solar surface leads to a stabilizing effect, which may result in a full transition from unstable to stable modes. Gravitational effects imply that rigid wall conditions represent photospheric field line anchoring better than flow-through conditions for determining the stability or modes of oscillation of a coronal equilibrium. Applying rigid wall conditions gives good approximations for frequencies that are much larger than photospheric time scales when the plasma is stable, and growth rates when the plasma is unstable. At the same time we show however that near marginal stability, even when gravity is included, rigid wall conditions are still violated.     

Effect of Radiation on the Nonlinear Stability Zones of the Lagrangian Equilibrium Points

The nonlinear stability zones of the triangular Lagrangian points are determined numerically and the effect of radiation of primaries is considered, in addition to the known effect of mass distribution, using the photogravitational restricted threebody problem model. It is found that radiation also has a considerable effect reducing the stability zones. In cases of resonances, these zones are reduced to negligible size for some parameter values within the linear stability regions.