Rotational distortion of stars of arbitrary structure to fourth-order sectorial harmonics

An explicit form of the radial part of the exterior gravitational potential of a planet or star, in hydrostatic equilibrium is expanded in terms of fourth-order sectorial harmonics. In developing the theory of figure one seeks to express the Clairaut equation for an equipotential spheroid (level surface) in an explicit form which is an integral form to quantities of fourth-order sectorial harmonics.     

The precession and nutation of deformable bodies,II

In a previous paper of this series (Kopal, 1968a) the Eulerian equations have been set up which govern the precession and nutation of selfgravitating bodies of viscous fluid in inertial coordinates which are at rest in space. In order to facilitate their solution, in the present investigation we shall transform these equations to the rotating body-axes; and shall explicitly evaluate all their coefficients arising as a result of second-harmonic dynamical tides.Following the introductory Section 1 which contains a mathematical statement of the problem, the requisite transformation of coordinates will be outlined in Section 2, and applied to the equations of motion in Section 5. The corresponding moments and products of inertia appropriate for selfgravitating configurations of arbitrary internal structure will be formulated in Section 4; while the deformation terms arising from second-harmonic dynamical tides raised on centrally-condensed configurations will be evaluated in Sections 3 and 6. The concluding Section 7 will then contain a specification of the components of the disturbing force.The next stage of our investigation — namely, a construction of the actual solutions of the equations governing precession and nutation of fluid bodies in different cases of astrophysical interest — has been postponed for a separate paper.     

Dynamical tides in close binary systems,I

The aim of the present paper will be to develop from the fundamental equations of hydrodynamics a theory of dynamical tides in close binary systems, the components of which are regarded to consist of heterogeneous viscous fluid, and to revolve around their common centre of gravity in eccentric orbits; moreover, the equatorial planes of their axial rotation and the orbital plane need not be co-planar, but all may be inclined to the invariable plane of the system of arbitrary amounts. The changes in the pressure or density invoked by time-dependent deformation will be regarded as adiabatic; but, in the equilibrium state, both the density and viscosity of the material of our components may be arbitrary functions of the radial distance.Following a brief exposition in Section 2 of the fundamental equations linearized to small oscillations — be these free or forced — in Section 3 we shall particularize them to describe spheroidal deformations; with due regard to all terms arising from viscosity. Section 4 will contain a specification of the boundary conditions to be imposed upon such oscillations; and in Section 5 we shall solve the problem of non-radial oscillations of self-gravitating inviscid configurations in terms of hypergeometric series. The remaining Sections 6–8 will be devoted to a discussion of the phenomena arising from viscosity: in particular, we shall solve in a closed form the problem of non-radial oscillations of incompressible viscous globes in the terms of Bessel functions. It will be shown that the effect of viscosity — like those of compressibility — tend to de-stabilize all non-radial oscillations of homogeneous configurations.At the other extreme, a similar treatment of a mass-point model — as well as of one exhibiting high but finite degree of central condensation — is being postponed for a subsequent communication.     

Relativistic and the first sectorial harmonics corrections in the critical inclination

The problem of the critical inclination is treated in the Hamiltonian framework taking into consideration post-Newtonian corrections as well as the main correction term of sectorial harmonics for an earth-like planet. The Hamiltonian is expressed in terms of Delaunay canonical variables. A canonical transformation is applied to eliminate short period terms. A modified critical inclination is obtained due to relativistic and the first sectorial harmonics corrections.     

Principal moments of inertia and secular love number of Phobos

A dynamic homogeneous model of Phobos is used: its boundary is an equipotential surface specified by the second zonal and the second sectorial harmonics plus the constant part of the tidal potential due to Mars. The principal moments of inertia, the hydrostatic second zonal harmonic and the secular Love number of Phobos have been estimated. They support the hypothesis that Phobos is formed out of primordial matter by accretion in orbit.     

On secular stability of rapidly rotating stars of arbitrary structure

The aim of the present paper will be to utilize Poincaré's criteria to investigate secular stability of self-gravitating configurations, of arbitrary structure, in the state of rapid rotation. The potential energy, a knowledge of which is necessary for application of these criteria, will be determined by an extension of Clairaut's method; and its evaluation in terms of suitably chosen generalized coordinates carried out explicitly to quantities of fourth order in superficial oblateness, for configurations of arbitrary internal structure.The method employed can, moreover, clearly be extended to attain accuracy of any order — at the expense of mere manipulative work which lends itself to machine automation; and the angular velocity of axial rotation can be an arbitrary function of position as well as of the time. An application of our results to homogeneous configurations in rigig-body rotation will be undertaken to demonstrate that our method, when applied to a case for which a closed solution exists, leads to results which are consistent with it.     

Association of spherical and ellipsoidal gravity coefficients of the Earth's potential

A comparison is drawn between the expansion of the potential in spherical harmonics on the one hand and in ellipsoidal harmonics on the other, with the objective of associating the spherical and ellipsoidal gravity coefficients of the Earth's potential.For this purpose the properties of orthogonality of the Lamé functions of the first kind have been tailored to this subject of investigation and become instrumental in establishing the mathematical expressions which relate the two classes of gravity coefficients to each other. In deriving the elements of the transition matrices elliptic integrals have been encountered whose reduction to the three kinds of canonical elliptic integrals is discussed.Presented at the Conference on Celestial Mechanics, Oberwolfach, Germany, August 17–23, 1969.     

Exact Delaunay normalization of the perturbed Keplerian Hamiltonian with tesseral harmonics

A novel approach for the exact Delaunay normalization of the perturbed Keplerian Hamiltonian with tesseral and sectorial spherical harmonics is presented in this work. It is shown that the exact solution for the Delaunay normalization can be reduced to quadratures by the application of Deprit’s Lie-transform-based perturbation method. Two different series representations of the quadratures, one in powers of the eccentricity and the other in powers of the ratio of the Earth’s angular velocity to the satellite’s mean motion, are derived. The latter series representation produces expressions for the short-period variations that are similar to those obtained from the conventional method of relegation. Alternatively, the quadratures can be evaluated numerically, resulting in more compact expressions for the short-period variations that are valid for an elliptic orbit with an arbitrary value of the eccentricity. Using the proposed methodology for the Delaunay normalization, generalized expressions for the short-period variations of the equinoctial orbital elements, valid for an arbitrary tesseral or sectorial harmonic, are derived. The result is a compact unified artificial satellite theory for the sub-synchronous and super-synchronous orbit regimes, which is nonsingular for the resonant orbits, and is closed-form in the eccentricity as well. The accuracy of the proposed theory is validated by comparison with numerical orbit propagations.     

The precession and nutation of deformable bodies,III

In preceding papers of this series (Kopal, 1968; 1969) the Eulerian equations have been set up which govern the precession and nutation of self-gravitating fluid globes of arbitrary structures in inertial coordinates (space-axes) as well as with respect to the rotating body axes; with due account being taken of the effects arising from equilibrium as well as dynamical tides.In Section 1 of the present paper, the explicit form of these equations is recapitulated for subsequent solations. Section 2 contains then a detailed discussion of the coplanar case (in which the equation of the rotating configuration and the plane of its orbit coincide with the invariable plane of the system); and small fluctuations in the angular velocity of axial rotation arising from the tidal breathing in eccentric binary systems are investigated.In Section 3, we consider the angular velocity of rotation about theZ-axis to be constant, but allow for finite inclination of the equator to the orbital plane. The differential equations governing such a problem are set up exactly in terms of the time-dependent Eulerian angles and , and their coefficients averaged over a cycle. In Section 4, these equations are linearized by the assumption that the inclinations of the equator and the orbit to the invariable plane of the system are small enough for their squares to be negligible; and the equations of motion reduced to their canonical form.The solution of these equations — giving the periods of precession and nutation of rotating components of close binary systems, as well as the rate of nodal regression which is synchronised with precession — are expressed in terms of the physical properties of the respective system and of its constituent components; while the concluding Section 6 contains a discussion of the results, in which the differences between the precession and nutation of rigid and fluid bodies are pointed out.     

Theory of the light curves of eclipsing systems with oscillating components,II

In continuation of our preceding investigation (Kopal, 1982c) of photometric consequences of free oscillations — radial or nonradial — of the eclipsing component on the light changes of close binary systems, the aim of the present paper will be to extend the scope of our inquiry to include the effects of similar oscillations of the component which undergoes eclipse, with arbitrary period and phase.In Sections 2 and 3 which follow a brief introduction to the particular aspect of the problem treated in this paper, a theory will be given of photometric effects caused by arbitrary harmonic oscillations of the components of eclipsing binary systems distorted by equilibrium tides, or by axial rotation with constant angular velocity. A translation of these effects into the frequency domain constitutes a problem which is solvable in a closed form only if the eclipse in question ends in totality. In any other case, the desired effects can be mathematically described only in terms of infinite series (of satisfactory asymptotic properties); and a construction of their explicit forms will be given in the Appendix.     

Space debris — The short term orbital evolution in the earth gravity field

Two aspects of the orbital evolution of space debris — the long-term evolution and the short-term one — are of interest for an exploration of the near-Earth space. The paper presents some results concerning the estimation of the accuracy of predicted positions of Earth-orbiting objects for the short-term: a few revolutions or a time-span interval of a few days. Calculations of predicted positions take into account the influence of an arbitrary number of spherical coefficients of the Earth gravity potential. Differences in predicted positions due to differences in the best contemporary geopotential models (JGM-2, JGM-3 and GRIM4-S4) are estimated with the use of an analytical theory of motion and a numerical integration.     

The fifth-order analytical solution of the equations of motion of a satellite in orbit around a non-spherical planet

A high-precise analytical theory of a satellite in orbit around a non-spherical planet has been developed. The Poisson's small parameter method has been used. All secular and short-periodic perturbations proportional up to and including a product of five arbitrary harmonic coefficients of the planetary potential expansion are calculated. Long-periodic perturbations are derived with the accuracy of up to the fourth-order, inclusive. The influence of the high-order perturbations on the motion of ETALON-1 satellite has been investigated. The results of comparison of the numerical and analytical integration of the equations of its motion over a five year interval are as follows:

Tidal evolution in close binary systems

The aim of the present paper will be to give a mathematical outline of the theory of tidal evolution in close binary systems of secularly constant total momentum — an evolution activated by viscous friction of dynamical tides raised by the two components on each other. The first section contains a general outline of the problem; and in Section 2 we shall establish the basic expressions for the energy and momenta of close binaries consisting of components of arbitrary internal structure. In Section 3 we shall investigate the maximum and minimum values of the energy (kinetic and potential) which such systems can attain for given amount of total momentum; while in Section 4 we shall compare these results with the actual facts encountered in binaries with components whose internal structure (and, therefore, rotational momenta) are known to us from evidence furnished by the observed rates of apsidal advance.The results show that all such systems — be these of detached or semi-detached type — disclose that more than 99% of their total momenta are stored in the orbital momentum. The sum of the rotational momenta of the constituent components amounts to less than a percent of the total — a situation characteristic of a state close to the minimum energy for given total momentum. This appears, moreover, to be true not only of the systems with both components on the Main Sequence, but also of those possessing evolved components in contact with their Roche limits.Under such conditions, a synchronism between rotation and revolution (characteristic of both extreme states of maximum and minimum energy) is not only possible, but appears to have been actually approached — if not attained — in the majority of cases. In other words, it would appear that — in at least a large majority of known cases — the existing close binaries have already attained orbits of maximum distension consistent with their momenta; and tidal evolution alone can no longer increase the present separations of the components to any appreciable extent.The virtual absence, in the sky, of binary systems intermediate between the stages of maximum and minimum energy for given momentum leads us to conjecture that the process of dynamical evolution activated by viscous tides may enroll on a time-scale which is relatively short in comparison with their total age — even for systems like Y Cygni or AG Persei, whose total age can scarcely exceed 10⁷ yr. A secular increase of the semi-major axes of relative orbits is dynamically coupled with a corresponding variation in the velocity of axial rotation of both components through the tidal lag arising from the viscosity of stellar material. The differential equations of so coupled a system are given in Section 5; but their solution still constitutes a task for the future.The Lunar Science Institute Contribution No. 90. The Lunar Science Institute is operated by the Universities Space Research Association under Contract No. NSR 09-051-001 with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.     

Strained co-ordinate methods in rotating stars

It was shown in a previous paper, Smith (1975), that the determination of the structure of rotating polytropes by expansion in the small rotational parameter constitutes asingular perturbation problem as arises also, for example, in large Reynolds' number approximations in fluid dynamics. The technique used by him — the method of matched asymptotic expansions — is, in fact, just an extension of the Prandtl boundary layer theory familiar in this latter context. In this paper — the first of two — we introduce an alternative procedure: the method of strained co-ordinates; and for comparison purposes again consider rotating polytropes. In Paper II we extend this approach to differentially rotating stars and present an illustrative example.     

Fourier analysis of the light curves of eclipsing variables,II

The aim of the present paper will be to extend the Fourier methods of analysis of the light curves of eclipsing binaries, outlined in our previous communication (Kopal, 1975) in connection with systems whose components would appear as uniformly bright discs, to systems whose components exhibit discs characterized by an arbitrary radially-symmetrical distribution of brightness —i.e., an arbitrary law of darkening towards the limb — be it linear or nonlinear.In Section 2 which follows a few brief introductory remarks, fundamental equations will be set up which govern the light changes arising from the mutual eclipses of limb-darkened stars — be such eclipses total, partial or annular; and Section 3 will contain a closed algebraic solution for the elements of the occulation eclipses terminating in total phase. Such a solution proves to be no more complicated than it turned out to be for uniformly bright discs in our previous paper; and calls for no special functions for the purpose — as will be put in proper perspective in the concluding Section 4.The cases of transit eclipses terminating in an annular phase, of partial eclipses of occulation or transit type, will be similarly dealt with by Fourier methods in the next paper of the present series.     

Fourier analysis of the light curves of eclipsing variables,XVIII

The aim of the present paper has been to establish explicit expressions for the photometric perturbations in the light changes of close eclipsing systems, arising from the mutual distortion of the components, for any type of eclipses — be these occultations or transits; partial, total, or annular — and exhibiting arbitrary distribution of brightness (limb- or gravity-darkening) over the apparent disc of the eclipsed star.These perturbations have been expressed in terms of certain general types of series that can be easily programmed for automatic computation. They represent a generalization of results previously obtained by Kopal (1975) or Livaniou (1977, 1978) in so far as the expansions derived in this paper hold good for any real (not necessarily integral) value ofm>0. As such, they can be used to free from the photometric proximity effects within eclipses the empirical momentsA _2m of the light curves of non-integral orders, and the task performed within seconds of real time on high-speed automatic computers now available. Closed-form expressions for such perturbations, obtaining in the case of total eclipses, are given correctly to terms of first order in quantities which represent the distortion of each component.     

Hydromagnetic thermal boundary-layer flow near an oscillating limiting surface

Unsteady hydromagnetic thermal boundary layer flow of an electrically conducting, viscous, incompressible fluid near a harmonically oscillating limiting surface (e.g. in stellar atmospheres) is considered when the viscous dissipation and the Joule heating terms are retained in the energy equation. Exact solution of the problem, with the aid of the Laplace transform technique, is obtained when the magnetic Prandtl number is unity. For the purpose of application and discussion of the results, the variations of the temperature and the rate of heat transfer (expressed in the form of the Nusselt number) are presented for different sets of values of the magnetic parameter for the case of two particular fluids — air and water — when the limiting surface is under the condition of either cooling or heating.     

The galactic centre (invited review)

Recent observations of the galactic centre at radio and infrared wavelengths are reviewed. Particular emphasis is placed on the new large scale radio structures — the galactic centre lobe, and the filamentary ribbon structures in the radio arc — which have just been reported. New observations of the two parsec ring of molecular hydrogen, and the relationship of the ring to the interior distribution of ionised gas are discussed. The kinematis and distribution of neutral material, shocked molecular hydrogen and plasma in the inner few parsecs of the nucleus are considered in terms of a central luminous mass-losing object, together with rotation and infall of the neutral material.Paper presented at the IAU Third Asian-Pacific Regional Meeting, held in Kyoto, Japan, between 30 September–6 October, 1984.     

Stability of the solar system

If the solar system is considered as a mechanical clockwork consisting of its present members which attract each other as mass-points, the extent of its present approach to secular stability (i.e., the state of minimum potential energy) — manifested by the existence of a number of nearcommensurabilities of the present orbital periods, not only of the planets, but also of their satellites —could not have been attained in a time-span of 4.6×10⁹ yr of its age by gravitational perturbations alone.The existence of such commensurabilities — striking in many instances— could then be understood only on the assumption that either (a) the solar system was actually born with the present 2-, 3- and 4-term couplings between the orbital period of the planets already built-in from the outset (which is improbable on any known grounds); or (b) that these couplings — in particular, the 25 Jupiter-Saturn commensurability — have arisen as a result of tidal interaction between proto-planetary globes of much larger dimensions than these planets possess today. For the present dimensions and mutual distances of these planets, their tidal interaction in 10⁹ yr would exert but negligible effects; and during that time neither their masses, nor the scale of the solar system underwent any essential change.Therefore, a hypothesis is proposed that the situation now obtaining had its origin in the early days of the formation of the solar system, when the planetary globes — in particular, those of Jupiter and Saturn (now in the terminal stage of Kelvin contraction) — were very much larger than they are today; and when, as a result, the tidal coupling between them operated at a much higher rate than at the present time.Paper presented at the European Workshop on Planetary Sciences, organised by the Laboratorio di Astrofisica Spaziale di Frascati, and held between April 23–27, 1979, at the Accademia Nazionale del Lincei in Rome, Italy.     

Relativistic satellite orbits: central body with higher zonal harmonics

Satellite orbits around a central body with arbitrary zonal harmonics are considered in a relativistic framework. Our starting point is the relativistic Celestial Mechanics based upon the first post-Newtonian approximation to Einstein’s theory of gravity as it has been formulated by Damour et al. (Phys Rev D 43:3273–3307, 1991; 45:1017–1044, 1992; 47:3124–3135, 1993; 49:618–635, 1994). Since effects of order \((\mathrm{GM}/c^2R) \times J_k\) with \(k \ge 2\) for the Earth are very small (of order \( 7 \times 10^{-10}\,\times \,J_k\)) we consider an axially symmetric body with arbitrary zonal harmonics and a static external gravitational field. In such a field the explicit \(J_k/c^2\)-terms (direct terms) in the equations of motion for the coordinate acceleration of a satellite are treated first with first-order perturbation theory. The derived perturbation theoretical results of first order have been checked by purely numerical integrations of the equations of motion. Additional terms of the same order result from the interaction of the Newtonian \(J_k\)-terms with the post-Newtonian Schwarzschild terms (relativistic terms related to the mass of the central body). These ‘mixed terms’ are treated by means of second-order perturbation theory based on the Lie-series method (Hori–Deprit method). Here we concentrate on the secular drifts of the ascending node \(<\!{\dot{\Omega }}\!>\) and argument of the pericenter \(<\!{\dot{\omega }}\!>\). Finally orders of magnitude are given and discussed.