Three-dimensional periodic motion of three finite masses around collinear equilibrium configurations

Three-dimensional periodic motions of three bodies are shown to exist in the infinitesimal neighbourhood of their collinear equilibrium configurations. These configurations and some characteristic quantities of the emanating three-dimensional periodic orbits are given for many values of the two mass parameters, =m ₂/(m ₁+m ₂) andm ₃, of the general three-body problem, under the assumption that the straight line containing the bodies at equilibrium rotates with unit angular velocity. The analysis of the small periodic orbits near the equilibrium configurations is carried out to second-order terms in the small quantities describing the deviation from plane motion but the analytical solution obtained for the horizontal components of the state vector is valid to third-order terms in those quantities. The families of three-dimensional periodic orbits emanating from two of the collinear equilibrium configurations are continued numerically to large orbits. These families are found to terminate at large vertical-critical orbits of the familym of retrograde periodic orbits ofm ₃ around the primariesm ₁ andm ₂. The series of these termination orbits, formed when the value ofm ₃ varies, are also given. The three-dimensional orbits are computed form ₃=0.1.     

Some families of periodic oscillations in the restricted problem with small mass-ratios of three bodies

This paper reports on the numerical determination of families of periodic oscillations in the case =0.000 95 of the restricted problem. The families emanating out of the collinear Lagrangian pointsL ₁,L ₂,L ₃ are examined as well as some asymmetric periodic oscillations related to them. An effort is made to complete the global picture of simple-periodic symmetric oscillations in the present case of the problem (the S-J case). This is done by examining the orbits with initial conditions such that the infinitesimal body starts from a position on the ₁-axis (₀₂ = 0) with a negative initial velocity perpendicular to this axis . In a previous article this investigation has been carried out for negative values of ₀₁, where the position of the small primary defines ₁=0. Now we proceed to consider orbits with ₀₁>0. The phase portrait of asymmetric periodic orbits is also examined.     

Numerical determination of families of three-dimensional double-symmetric periodic orbits in the restricted three-body problem. I.

New families of three-dimensional double-symmetric periodic orbits are determined numerically in the Sun-Jupiter case of the restricted three-body problem. These families bifurcate from the vertical-critical orbits ( _v = –1,c _v ),c _v=0) of the basic plane familiesi,g ₁,g ₂,h,a,m andl. Further the numerical procedure employed in the determination of these families has been described and interesting results have been pointed out. Also, computer plots of the orbits of these families have been shown in conical projections.     

Bifurcation points and intersections of families of periodic orbits in the three-dimensional restricted three-body problem

Intersections of families of three-dimensional periodic orbits which define bifurcation points are studied. The existence conditions for bifurcation points are discussed and an algorithm for the numerical continuation of such points is developed. Two sequences of bifurcation points are given concerning the family of periodic orbits which starts and terminates at the triangular equilibrium pointsL ₄,L ₅. On these sequences two trifurcation points are identified forµ = 0.124214 andµ = 0.399335. The caseµ = 0.5 is studied in particular and it is found that the space families originating at the equilibrium pointsL ₂,L ₃,L ₄,L ₅ terminate on the same planar orbitm _1v of the familym.     

Mass ratios of three bodies for stable low-inclination three-dimensional periodic motion

The intervals of possible stability, on the -axis, of the basic families of three-dimensional periodie motions of the restricted three-body problem (determined in an earlier paper) are extended into regions of the -m ₃ parameter space of the general three-body problem. Sample three-dimensional periodic motions corresponding to these regions are computed and tested for stability. Six regions, corresponding to the vertical-critical orbitsl1v, m1v,m2v, andilv, survive this preliminary stability test-therefore, emerging as the mass parameters regions allowing the simplest types of stable low inclination three-dimensional motion of three massive bodies.     

Numerical determination of families of three-dimensional double-symmetric periodic orbits in the restricted three-body problem,II

New families of three-dimensional double-symmetric periodic orbits are determined numerically in the Sun-Jupiter case of the restricted three-body problem. These families bifurcate from the vertical-critical orbits ( _v = – 1, b _v – 0) of the basic plane familiesi, g ₁, g₂, c andI. Further, the predictor-corrector procedure employed to reveal these families has been described and interesting numerical results have been pointed out. Also, computer plots of the orbits of these families have been shown in conical projections.     

Newtonian and relativistic periodic orbits around two fixed black holes

We compare families of simple periodic orbits of test particles in the Newtonian and relativistic problems of two fixed centers (black holes). The Newtonian problem is integrable, while the relativistic problem is highly non-integrable.The orbits are calculated on the meridian plane through the fixed centersM ₁ (atz=+1) andM ₂ (atz=–1) for energies smaller than the escape energyE=1. We use prolate spheroidal coordinates (, , =const) and also the variables =cosh and =–cos . The orbits are inside a curve of zero velocity (CZV). The Newtonian orbits are also limited by an ellipse and a hyperbola, or by two eillipses. There are 3 main types of periodic orbits (1) elliptic type (around both centers), (2) hyperbolic-type, and (3) resonant-type.The elliptic type orbits are stable in the Newtonian case and both stable and unstable in the relativistic case. From the stable orbits bifurcate double period orbits both symmetric and asymmetric with respect to thez-axis. There are also higher order bifurcations. The hyperbolic-type orbits are unstable. The Newtonian resonant orbits are defined by the ratiot _µ/t =n/m of oscillations along and during one period, and they are all marginally unstable. The corresponding relativistic orbits are stable, or unstable. The main families are figure eight orbits aroundM ₁, or aroundM ₂ (3/1 orbits); gamma, or inverse gamma orbits (4/2); higher resonant families 5/1,7/1,...,8/2,12/2,...;, more complicated orbits, like 5/3, and bifurcations from the above orbits. Satellite orbits aroundM ₁, orM ₂, and their bifurcations (e.g. double period) exist in the relativistic case but not in the Newtonian case. The characteristics of the various families are quite different in the Newtonian and the relativistic cases. The sizes of the orbits and their stabilities are also quite different in general. In the Appendix we study the various types of straight line orbits and prove that some subcases introduced by Charlier (1902) are impossible.     

Families of three-dimensional plane-symmetric periodic orbits in the restricted three-body problem: Sun-Jupiter case

Two new families of three-dimensional simple-symmetric periodic orbits are determined numerically in the Sun-Jupiter case of the restricted three-body problem. These families emanate from the vertical-critical orbits (_v = 1,c _v = 0)of the familiesi andl of plane symmetric simpleperiodic orbits direct around the Sun and the Sun-Jupiter respectively. Further, the numerical technique employed in the determination of these families has been described and interesting results have been pointed out. Also, computer plots of the orbits of these families have been shown in conical projections.     

Three-dimensional periodic orbits about the triangular equilibrium points of the restricted problem of three bodies

The third-order parametric expansions given by Buck in 1920 for the three-dimensional periodic solutions about the triangular equilibrium points of the restricted Problem are improved by fourthorder terms. The corresponding family of periodic orbits, which are symmetrical w.r.t. the (x, y) plane, is computed numerically for =0.00095. It is found that the family emanating from L₄ terminates at the other triangular point L₅ while it bifurcates with the family of three-dimensional periodic orbits originating at the collinear equilibrium point L₃. This family consists of stable and unstable members. A second family of nonsymmetric three-dimensional periodic orbits is found to bifurcate from the previous one. It is also determined numerically until a collision orbit is encountered with the computations.     

Bifurcations of plane with three-dimensional periodic orbits in the elliptic restricted problem

We show that the procedure employed in the circular restricted problem, of tracing families of three-dimensional periodic orbits from vertical self-resonant orbits belonging to plane families, can also be applied in the elliptic problem. A method of determining series of vertical bifurcation orbits in the planar elliptic restricted problem is described, and one such series consisting of vertical-critical orbits (a _v=+1) is given for the entire range (0,1/2) of the mass parameter . The initial segments of the families of three-dimensional orbits which bifurcate from two of the orbits belonging to this series are also given.     

Families of three-dimensional axisymmetric periodic orbits in the restricted three-body problem: Sun-Jupiter case

Families of three-dimensional axisymmetric periodic orbits are determined numerically in the Sun-Jupiter case of the restricted three-body problem. These families bifurcate from the vertical-critical orbits (_v = 1,b _v = 0) of the basic plane familiesi andI. Further the predictor-corrector procedure employed to reveal these families has been described and interesting numerical results have been pointed out. Also, computer plots of the orbits of these families have been shown in conical projections.     

A grid search for families of periodic orbits in the restricted problem of three bodies

A method is described for the numerical determination of families of periodic orbits in the planar restricted problem of three bodies. The families are sought in their representation as curves in a two-dimensional space of parameters. A grid search is applied to the study of the evolution of satellite motion when the mass parameter is varied. Only that part of the space of parameters is investigated for which one of them, the relative energy constant, takes values larger than that corresponding to the inner Lagrangian pointL ₂. Critical values of the mass parameter are determined for which new families of simple or double periodic orbits appear inside the closed ovals of zero velocity.     

On Sitnikov-like motions generating new kinds of 3D periodic orbits in the R3BP with prolate primaries

The existence of new equilibrium points is established in the restricted three-body problem with equal prolate primaries. These are located on the Z-axis above and below the inner Eulerian equilibrium point L ₁ and give rise to a new type of straight-line periodic oscillations, different from the well known Sitnikov motions. Using the stability properties of these oscillations, bifurcation points are found at which new types of families of 3D periodic orbits branch out of the Z-axis consisting of orbits located entirely above or below the orbital plane of the primaries. Several of the bifurcating families are continued numerically and typical member orbits are illustrated.     

The genealogy of periodic orbits in a plane rotating galaxy

We study the various families of periodic orbits in a dynamical system representing a plane rotating barred galaxy. One can have a general view of the main resonant types of orbits by considering the axisymmetric background. The introduction of a bar perturbation produces infinite gaps along the central familyx ₁ (the family of circular orbits in the axisymmetric case). It produces also higher order bifurcations, unstable regions along the familyx ₁, and long period orbits aroundL ₄ andL ₅. The evolution of the various types of orbits is described, as the Jacobi constanth, and the bar amplitude, increase. Of special importance are the infinities of period doubling pitchfork bifurcations. The genealogy of the long and short period orbits is described in detail. There are infinite gaps along the long period orbits producing an infinity of families. All of them bifurcate from the short period family. The rules followed by these families are described. Also an infinity of higher order bridges join the short and long period families. The analogies with the restricted three body problem are stressed.     

A restricted problem: Families of vertical critical periodic orbits (part II)

In this paper we extend the computation of four families of vertical critical periodic orbitsb _1v ,b _2v ,c _1v ,c _2v , found in part I (Ichtiaroglouet al., 1980), for >0.5. The planar stability of the periodic orbits is also examined.     

Periodic orbits around an oblate spheroid

The general properties of certain differential systems are used to prove the existence of periodic orbits for a particle around an oblate spheroid.In a fixed frame, there are periodic orbits only fori=0 andi near /2. Furthermore, the generating orbits are circles.In a rotating frame, there are three families of orbits: first a family of periodic orbits in the vicinity of the critical inclination; secondly a family of periodic orbits in the equatorial plane with 0<e<1; thirdly a family of periodic orbits for any value of the inclination ife=0.     

New kinds of asymmetric periodic orbits in the restricted three-body problem

The procedure of numerical ascent from families of planar to three-dimensional periodic orbits and the subsequent descent to the plane is proved efficient in determining new families of planar asymmetric periodic orbits in the restricted three-body problem. Two such families are computed and described for values of the mass parameter for which it has been found that they exist. Two new families of three-dimensional asymmetric periodic orbits are also presented in this paper.     

Geometrical dynamics: A new approach to periodic orbits aroundL 4

Geometrical dynamics is the study of the geometry of the orbits in configuration space of a dynamical system without reference to the system's motion in time.Generalized coordinates for the circular restricted problem of three bodies are taken as polar coordinatesr, centered at the triangular libration pointL ₄. A time-independent nonlinear second order ordinary differential equation forr as a function of is derived. Approximations to periodic solutions are obtained by perturbations and Fourier series.     

The manifolds of families of 3D periodic orbits associated to Sitnikov motions in the restricted three-body problem

This paper deals with the Sitnikov family of straight-line motions of the circular restricted three-body problem, viewed as generator of families of three-dimensional periodic orbits. We study the linear stability of the family, determine several new critical orbits at which families of three dimensional periodic orbits of the same or double period bifurcate and present an extensive numerical exploration of the bifurcating families. In the case of the same period bifurcations, 44 families are determined. All these families are computed for equal as well as for nearly equal primaries (μ = 0.5, μ = 0.4995). Some of the bifurcating families are determined for all values of the mass parameter μ for which they exist. Examples of families of three dimensional periodic orbits bifurcating from the Sitnikov family at double period bifurcations are also given. These are the only families of three-dimensional periodic orbits presented in the paper which do not terminate with coplanar orbits and some of them contain stable parts. By contrast, all families bifurcating at single-period bifurcations consist entirely of unstable orbits and terminate with coplanar orbits.     

Three-dimensional periodic solutions around equilibrium points in Hill's problem

The three-dimensional periodic solutions originating at the equilibrium points of Hill's limiting case of the Restricted Three Body Problem, are studied. Fourth-order parametric expansions by the Lindstedt-Poincaré method are constructed for them. The two equilibrium points of the problem give rise to two exactly symmetrical families of three-dimensional periodic solutions. The family_HL _2v ^e originating at L₂ is continued numerically and is found to extend to infinity. The family originating at L₁ behaves in exactly the same way and is not presented. All orbits of the two families are unstable.