Boundary curves for families of planar orbits

For monoparametric familiesf(x,y)=c of planar orbits, created by a planar potentialV(x,y), we introduce the notion of the family boundary curves (FBC). All members of the familyf(x,y)=c are traced in an allowable region of thexy plane, defined by the corresponding FBC, with total energyE=E(c) varying along the family. Family boundary curves are also found for two-parametric familiesf(x,y,b)=c. The relation of equilibrium points and asymptotic orbits, possibly possessed by the potentialV(x,y), to be FBC is studied.     

Family boundary curves for autonomous dynamical systems

The notion of the family boundary curves (FBC), introduced recently for two-dimensional conservative systems, is extended to account for, generally, nonconservative autonomous systems of two degrees of freedom. Formulae are found for the force componentsX (x, y),Y (x, y) which produce a preassigned family of orbitsf(x, y)=c lying inside a preassigned, open or closed, regionB(x, y)0 of the xy plane.     

Two-Parametric Families of Orbits and Multiseparability of Planar Potentials

Combining the results of the inverse problem of dynamics with the theory of multiseparability of planar potentials, we find biparametric families of orbits, whose existence guarantees the multiseparability of the potential. We also study the allowed regions of the plane, where these orbits are traced.     

Isolated Periodic Orbits and Stability in Separable Potentials

A method for determining the main families of isolated periodic orbits and their characteristic exponents in planar potentials which are separated by a point transformation is proposed. Since these orbits are continued analytically with the same stability, these results are persistent under small perturbations. The method is applied to the two fixed centers problem, the Paul trap and the dipole expansion of an electrostatic potential. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Invariant rotational curves in Sitnikov's Problem

The Sitnikov's Problem is a Restricted Three-Body Problem of Celestial Mechanics depending on a parameter, the eccentricity,e. The Hamiltonian,H(z, v, t, e), does not depend ont ife=0 and we have an integrable system; ife is small the KAM Theory proves the existence of invariant rotational curves, IRC. For larger eccentricities, we show that there exist two complementary sequences of intervals of values ofe that accumulate to the maximum admissible value of the eccentricity, 1, and such that, for one of the sequences IRC around a fixed point persist. Moreover, they shrink to the planez=0 ase tends to 1.     

On a property of zero-velocity curves in N-body ring-type systems

Zero-velocity curves are a useful tool in the investigation of various aspects of a dynamical system. These curves that distinguish the regions where the motion of a particle is permissible from the regions where this motion is not permitted, present some basic properties. In this paper, we prove that in symmetric ring-type systems where a small particle moves under the resultant gravitational field of N coplanar big bodies, of which ν=N−1 are arranged at equal distances among them on the periphery of a circle, a new property concerning these curves, exists. All the zero-velocity curves drawn in the space of the initial conditions (x₀,C) and concerning configurations with the same number of peripheral primaries but various mass parameters, pass through two different focal points, the position of which does not depend on the value of the mass parameter.     

An analysis of 900 rotation curves of southern sky spiral galaxies: Do rotation curves fall into discrete classes?

One of the largest rotation curve data bases of spiral galaxies currently available is that provided by Persic& Salucci (1995; hereafter, PS) which has been derived by them from unreduced rotation curve data of 965 southern sky spirals obtained by Mathewson, Ford& Buchhorn (1992; hereafter, MFB). Of the original sample of 965 galaxies, the observations on 900 were considered by PS to be good enough for rotation curve studies, and the present analysis concerns itself with these 900 rotation curves. The analysis is performed within the context of the hypothesis that velocity fields within spiral discs can be described by generalized power-laws. Rotation curve data was found to impose an extremely strong and detailed correlation between the free parameters of the power-law model, and this correlation accounts for virtually all the variation in the pivotal diagram. In the process, the analysis reveals completely unexpected structure which indicates that rotation curves can be partitioned into well-defined discrete subclasses.     

Determining the photometric parameters of galactic novae from visual light curves

Based on visual estimates by AAVSO observers, we have constructed light curves for 80 Galactic novae flared up in 1986–2006 and determined the photometric parameters m _vis(max), t ₂, and t ₃ for 64 novae. Using the empirical relation M _V (max) = ?10.66(±0.33) + 2.31(±0.26) × log t ₂, we have obtained the absolute magnitudes at maximum and apparent distance moduli of the novae.     

Dark matter and rotation curves of stars in galaxies

The dark matter accretion theory (around a central body) of the author on the basis of his 5‐dimensional Projective Unified Field Theory (PUFT) is applied to the orbital motion of stars around the center of the Galaxy. The departure of the motion from Newtonian mechanics leads to approximately flat rotation curves being in rough accordance with the empirical facts. The spirality of the motion is investigated.     

Testing the nonsysmmetric gravitational theory with rotation curves of galaxies

We use the rotation curves of 13 galaxies to test the nonsymmetric gravitaional theory (NGT). If we follow Moffat's assumption of a constant mass-to-light for all galaxies then we shall find that the two supposedly universal constants r₀, L₀ to show a large scatter. By regarding the mass-to-light ratio as a free parameter for each galaxy, and adjusting the values of r₀, L₀, we find that NGT can well account for the observed rotation curves. Further, the mass-to-light ratios so found show the well-known trend along the Hubble morphological sequence.     

Solvable cases of Szebehely's equation

Szebehely’s equation is a first order partial differential equation relating a given family of orbits f (x, y) = q traced by a unit mass material point, the total energy E=E(f), and the unknown potential V=V (x, y) which produces the family. Although linear in V, this equation cannot generally be solved. In this paper we develop the reasoning for finding several cases for which Szebehely’s equation can be solved by quadratures. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

An equation for the characteristic curve of a family of symmetric periodic orbits

Szebehely's equation for the inverse problem of Dynamics is used to obtain the equation of the characteristic curve of a familyf(x,y)=c of planar periodic orbits (crossing perpendicularly thex-axis) created by a certain potentialV(x,y). Analytic expressions for the characteristic curves are found both in sideral and synodic systems. Examples are offered for both cases. It is shown also that from a given characteristic curve, associated with a given potential, one can obtain an analytic expression for the slope of the orbit at any point.     

Analysis of light curves produced by surface inhomogeneities on magnetic CP stars

The problem of the determination of surface brightness distribution parameters from the observed CP2-star variability, usually explained with the “oblique rotator model”, is discussed. A simple geometrical model of the surface brightness distribution is derived from the common properties of the observed light curves of these stars. This “spot model” which is supported from the known facts concerning the magnetic field structure and the surface distributions of chemical elements serves as a basis of the special inverse problem: the determination of the number of large scale inhomogeneities, their locations and extents and further parameters, from all the observed light curves of a given star. A suitable technique for solving the special inverse problem is explained. The problem of ambiguity which even arises for the proposed simple model and, in connection with that, the remaining possibilities to win the relevant information on the inhomogeneities of surface brightness are discussed. For the purpose of illustration, the result of the light curve analysis of the CP2 star HD 8441 is given.     

Certain Comments on V. Szebehely's Paper 'Open Problems on the Eve of the Next Millennium'

An equation for inverse problem considerations, offered by V. Szebehely in the above paper, is amended and its applicability is discussed.     

Linear Stability of the Lagrangian Triangle Solutions for Quasihomogeneous Potentials

In this paper, we study the linear stability of the relative equilibria for homogeneous and quasihomogeneous potentials. First, in the case the potential is a homogeneous function of degree −a, we find that any relative equilibrium of the n-body problem with a>2 is spectrally unstable. We also find a similar condition in the quasihomogeneous case. Then we consider the case of three bodies and we study the stability of the equilateral triangle relative equilibria. In the case of homogeneous potentials we recover the classical result obtained by Routh in a simpler way. In the case of quasihomogeneous potentials we find a generalization of Routh inequality and we show that, for certain values of the masses, the stability of the relative equilibria depends on the size of the configuration.     

Weak stability boundary trajectories for the deployment of lunar spacecraft constellations

Suitable lunar constellation coverage can be obtained by separating the satellites in inclinations and node angles. It is shown in the paper that a relevant saving of velocity variation ΔV can be achieved using weak stability boundary trajectories. The weakly stable dynamics of such transfers allows the separation of the satellites from the nominal orbit to the required orbit planes with a small amount of ΔV. This paper also shows that only one different set of orbital parameters at Moon can be reached with the same ΔV manoeuvre starting from a nominal trajectory and ending at a fixed periselenium altitude. In fact, such a feature is proved to be common to other simpler dynamical systems, such as the two- and three-body problems.     

Continuity and stability of families of figure eight orbits with finite angular momentum

Numerical solutions are presented for a family of three dimensional periodic orbits with three equal masses which connects the classical circular orbit of Lagrange with the figure eight orbit discovered by C. Moore [Moore, C.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 70, 3675–3679 (1993); Chenciner, A., Montgomery, R.: Ann. Math. 152, 881–901 (2000)]. Each member of this family is an orbit with finite angular momentum that is periodic in a frame which rotates with frequency Ω around the horizontal symmetry axis of the figure eight orbit. Numerical solutions for figure eight shaped orbits with finite angular momentum were first reported in [Nauenberg, M.: Phys. Lett. 292, 93–99 (2001)], and mathematical proofs for the existence of such orbits were given in [Marchal, C.: Celest. Mech. Dyn. Astron. 78, 279–298 (2001)], and more recently in [Chenciner, A. et al.: Nonlinearity 18, 1407–1424 (2005)] where also some numerical solutions have been presented. Numerical evidence is given here that the family of such orbits is a continuous function of the rotation frequency Ω which varies between Ω = 0, for the planar figure eight orbit with intrinsic frequency ω, and Ω = ω for the circular Lagrange orbit. Similar numerical solutions are also found for n > 3 equal masses, where n is an odd integer, and an illustration is given for n = 21. Finite angular momentum orbits were also obtained numerically for rotations along the two other symmetry axis of the figure eight orbit [Nauenberg, M.: Phys. Lett. 292, 93–99 (2001)], and some new results are given here. A preliminary non-linear stability analysis of these orbits is given numerically, and some examples are given of nearby stable orbits which bifurcate from these families.     

Motion On the Sphere: Integrability and Families of Orbits

We study the problem of the motion of a unit mass on the unit sphere and examine the relation between integrability and certain monoparametric families of orbits. In particular we show that if the potential is compatible with a family of meridians, it is integrable with an integral linear in the velocities, while a family of parallels guarantees integrability with an integral quadratic in the velocities.     

On the two-dimensional inverse problem of dynamics

The authors extend the deduction of the equations satisfied by the force fields from inertial to rotating frames, when the curves of a certain family are known to be solutions for the equations of motion. Then Drǎmbâ's equation is obtained as a consequence of this result. The works of Hadamard and Moiseev are proved to be closely related to the inverse problem of dynamics.     

Superosculating intermediate orbits: Fourth-and fifth-order tangencies to trajectories of perturbed motion

The theory of superosculating intermediate orbits previously suggested by the author is developed. A new class of orbits with a fourth-order tangency to the actual trajectory of a celestial body at the initial time is constructed. Orbits with a fifth-order tangency have been constructed for the first time. The motion in the constructed orbits is represented as a combination of two motions: the motion of a fictitious attracting center with a variable mass and the motion relative to this center. The first motion is generally parabolic, while the second motion is described by the equations of the Gylden—Mestschersky problem. The variation in the mass of the fictitious center obeys Mestschersky’s first and combined laws. The new orbits represent more accurately the actual motion in the initial segment of the trajectory than an osculating Keplerian orbit and other existing analogues. Encke’s generalized methods of special perturbations in which the constructed intermediate orbits are used as reference orbits are presented. Numerical simulations using the approximations of the motions of Asteroid Toutatis and Comet P/Honda—Mrkos—Pajdu?áková as examples confirm that the constructed orbits are highly efficient. Their application is particularly beneficial in investigating strongly perturbed motion.