On the families of periodic orbits which bifurcate from the circular Sitnikov motions

In this paper we deal with the circular Sitnikov problem as a subsystem of the three-dimensional circular restricted three-body problem. It has a first analytical part where by using elliptic functions we give the analytical expressions for the solutions of the circular Sitnikov problem and for the period function of its family of periodic orbits. We also analyze the qualitative and quantitative behavior of the period function. In the second numerical part, we study the linear stability of the family of periodic orbits of the Sitnikov problem, and of the families of periodic orbits of the three-dimensional circular restricted three-body problem which bifurcate from them; and we follow these bifurcated families until they end in families of periodic orbits of the planar circular restricted three-body problem. We compare our results with the previous ones of other authors on this problem. Finally, the characteristic curves of some bifurcated families obtained for the mass parameter close to 1/2 are also described.     

On quasi-satellite periodic motion in asteroid and planetary dynamics

Applying the method of analytical continuation of periodic orbits, we study quasi-satellite motion in the framework of the three-body problem. In the simplest, yet not trivial model, namely the planar circular restricted problem, it is known that quasi-satellite motion is associated with a family of periodic solutions, called family f, which consists of 1:1 resonant retrograde orbits. In our study, we determine the critical orbits of family f that are continued both in the elliptic and in the spatial models and compute the corresponding families that are generated and consist the backbone of the quasi-satellite regime in the restricted model. Then, we show the continuation of these families in the general three-body problem, we verify and explain previous computations and show the existence of a new family of spatial orbits. The linear stability of periodic orbits is also studied. Stable periodic orbits unravel regimes of regular motion in phase space where 1:1 resonant angles librate. Such regimes, which exist even for high eccentricities and inclinations, may consist dynamical regions where long-lived asteroids or co-orbital exoplanets can be found.     

On asteroid distribution

The existing explanations for the asteroid distribution in the main belt (between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter) are based on numerical integration of resonance orbits in models with more than two degrees of freedom. We suggest an approach based on the investigation of the families of periodic solutions of the planar circular restricted three-body problem, i.e., a model with two degrees of freedom. This work shows that (a) the distribution of asteroids near the (p + 1)/p resonances and position of the outer boundary of the main asteroid belt can be explained within the planar circular restricted three-body problem and (b) this problem does not explain the asteroid distribution near other resonances.     

An application of the Nekhoroshev theorem to the restricted three-body problem

We studied the stability of the restricted circular three-body problem. We introduced a model Hamiltonian in action-angle Delaunay variables. which is nearly-integrable with the perturbing parameter representing the mass ratio of the primaries. We performed a normal form reduction to remove the perturbation in the initial Hamiltonian to higher orders in the perturbing parameter. Next we applied a result on the Nekhoroshev theorem proved by Pöschel [13] to obtain the confinement in phase space of the action variables (related to the elliptic elements of the minor body) for an exponentially long time. As a concrete application. we selected the Sun-Ceres-Jupiter case, obtaining (after the proper normal form reduction) a stability result for a time comparable to the age of the solar system (i.e., 4.9 · 10⁹ years) and for a mass ratio of the primaries less or equal than 10^–6.     

Some analytical results about periodic orbits in the restricted three body problem with dissipation

We present some analytical results about the existence of periodic orbits for the planar restricted three body problem with dissipation considered recently by Celletti et?al. (CMDA 109, 265, 2011) We show that, under fairly general conditions on the dissipation term, the circular orbits cannot be continued to the dissipative framework. Moreover, we give general conditions for the occurrence or not of a Hopf bifurcation around the libration points L ₄ and L ₅. Our results are consistent with the numerical findings of Celletti et?al.     

Periodic solutions of the singly averaged hill problem

Based on the ideas of Lyapunov’s method, we construct a family of symmetric periodic solutions of the Hill problem averaged over the motion of a zero-mass point (a satellite). The low eccentricity of the satellite orbit and the sine of its inclination to the plane of motion of the perturbing body are parameters of the family. We compare the analytical solution with numerical solutions of the averaged evolutionary system and the rigorous (nonaveraged) equations of the restricted circular three-body problem.     

Determination of Libration Characteristics of Asteroids near Mean Motion Commensurabilities 1/1, 4/3, 3/2, 2/1, 7/3, 5/2, and 3/1

The possibility of using a generalized perfect resonance for the study of libration motions of asteroids near the (p+ q)/p-type commensurabilities of the mean motions of asteroids and Jupiter is considered. Based on the equations of the planar circular restricted three-body problem, the libration-motion equations are derived and their solutions for the intermediate Hamiltonian, as well as a solution taking into account perturbations of the order O(m ^3/2), are determined.     

On the stability of artificial equilibrium points in the circular restricted three-body problem

The article analyses the stability properties of minimum-control artificial equilibrium points in the planar circular restricted three-body problem. It is seen that when the masses of the two primaries are of different orders of magnitude, minimum-control equilibrium is obtained when the spacecraft is almost coorbiting with the second primary as long as their mutual distance is not too small. In addition, stability is found when the distance from the second primary exceeds a minimum value which is a simple function of the mass ratio of the two primaries and their separation. Lyapunov stability under non-resonant conditions is demonstrated using Arnold’s theorem. Among the most promising applications of the concept we find solar-sail-stabilized observatories coorbiting with the Earth, Mars, and Venus.     

Equilibrium points and Lyapunov families in the circular restricted three-body problem with an oblate primary and a synchronous rotating dipole secondary: Application to Luhman-16 binary system

We numerically study a version of the synchronous circular restricted three-body problem, where an infinitesimal mass body is moving under the Newtonian gravitational forces of two massive bodies. The primary body is an oblate spheroid while the secondary is an elongated asteroid of a combination of two equal masses forming a rotating dipole which is synchronous to the rotation of the primaries of the classic circular restricted three-body problem. In this paper, we systematically examine the existence, positions, and linear stability of the equilibrium points for various combinations of the model's parameters. We observe that the perturbing forces have significant effects on the positions and stability of the equilibrium points as well as the regions where the motion of the particle is allowed. The allowed regions of motion as determined by the zero-velocity surface and the corresponding isoenergetic curves as well as the positions of the equilibrium points are given. Finally, we numerically study the binary system Luhman-16 by computing the positions of the equilibria and their stability as well as the allowed regions of motion of the particle. The corresponding families of periodic orbits emanating from the collinear equilibrium points are computed along with their stability properties.     

On the Centre Manifold of Collinear Points in the Planar Three-Body Problem

We study the existence of invariant tori in a neighbourhood of the collinear equilibrium points of the planar three-body problem. To this end some properties of the normal form of the Hamiltonian reduced to the 4D central manifold are proved. Using this normal form, we show that the nondegeneracy conditions of KAM theorem are satisfied for all positive masses, including the 2:1 resonance case. The evaluation of the conditions is done numerically.     

The high-eccentricity libration theory revisted

Using the local asymmetric expansion of the disturbing function for the planar elliptic restricted three-body problem up to degree 1 ine ₁ we develop a small amplitude libration theory. We review the laws that characterize the mean-motion resonances of asteroids with Jupiter and we obtain other new laws. Special attention is paid to the second forced mode whose equations are reformulated and new consequences of this component are discussed. An analytical expression for the trajectories in the phase space is obtained. The predictions are compared with numerical experiments which confirm the results.     

On the 2/1 resonant planetary dynamics – periodic orbits and dynamical stability

The 2/1 resonant dynamics of a two-planet planar system is studied within the framework of the three-body problem by computing families of periodic orbits and their linear stability. The continuation of resonant periodic orbits from the restricted to the general problem is studied in a systematic way. Starting from the Keplerian unperturbed system, we obtain the resonant families of the circular restricted problem. Then, we find all the families of the resonant elliptic restricted three-body problem, which bifurcate from the circular model. All these families are continued to the general three-body problem, and in this way we can obtain a global picture of all the families of periodic orbits of a two-planet resonant system. The parametric continuation, within the framework of the general problem, takes place by varying the planetary mass ratio ρ. We obtain bifurcations which are caused either due to collisions of the families in the space of initial conditions or due to the vanishing of bifurcation points. Our study refers to the whole range of planetary mass ratio values  [ρ∈ (0, ∞)]  and, therefore we include the passage from external to internal resonances. Thus, we can obtain all possible stable configurations in a systematic way. As an application, we consider the dynamics of four known planetary systems at the 2/1 resonance and we examine if they are associated with a stable periodic orbit.     

Long-term perturbations due to a disturbing body in elliptic inclined orbit

In the current study, a double-averaged analytical model including the action of the perturbing body’s inclination is developed to study third-body perturbations. The disturbing function is expanded in the form of Legendre polynomials truncated up to the second-order term, and then is averaged over the periods of the spacecraft and the perturbing body. The efficiency of the double-averaged algorithm is verified with the full elliptic restricted three-body model. Comparisons with the previous study for a lunar satellite perturbed by Earth are presented to measure the effect of the perturbing body’s inclination, and illustrate that the lunar obliquity with the value 6.68^∘ is important for the mean motion of a lunar satellite. The application to the Mars-Sun system is shown to prove the validity of the double-averaged model. It can be seen that the algorithm is effective to predict the long-term behavior of a high-altitude Martian spacecraft perturbed by Sun. The double-averaged model presented in this paper is also applicable to other celestial systems.     

Boundary-value problem formulations for computing invariant manifolds and connecting orbits in the circular restricted three body problem

We demonstrate the remarkable effectiveness of boundary value formulations coupled to numerical continuation for the computation of stable and unstable manifolds in systems of ordinary differential equations. Specifically, we consider the circular restricted three-body problem (CR3BP), which models the motion of a satellite in an Earth–Moon-like system. The CR3BP has many well-known families of periodic orbits, such as the planar Lyapunov orbits and the non-planar vertical and halo orbits. We compute the unstable manifolds of selected vertical and halo orbits, which in several cases leads to the detection of heteroclinic connections from such a periodic orbit to invariant tori. Subsequent continuation of these connecting orbits with a suitable end point condition and allowing the energy level to vary leads to the further detection of apparent homoclinic connections from the base periodic orbit to itself, or the detection of heteroclinic connections from the base periodic orbit to other periodic orbits. Some of these connecting orbits are of potential interest in space mission design.     

Periodic orbits of the second kind in the restricted three-body problem when the more massive primary is an oblate spheroid

Utilizing secular perturbing potential due to oblateness, the existence of periodic orbits of the second kind is established through analytic continuation using Delaunay's canonical variables in the planar restricted three-body problem when the more massive primary is an oblate spheroid with its equatorial plane coincident with the plane of motion.     

The limiting case of the double-averaged parabolic restricted three-body problem

The planar case of the parabolic restricted three-body problem is considered. The equations of motion are integrated within the framework of the double-averaged problem taking into account only the first term in the expansion of the perturbing function. It is demonstrated that, at moderate approaches to the central body, the size and the shape of the orbit of the perturbing body are invariable and only the orientation of the orbit changes.     

A Review on Co-orbital Motion in Restricted and Planetary Three-body Problems

The 1:1 mean motion resonance may be referred to as the lowest order mean motion resonance in restricted or planetary three-body problems. The five well-known libration points of the circular restricted three-body problem are five equilibriums of the 1:1 resonance. Coorbital motion may take different shapes of trajectory. In case of small orbital eccentricities and inclinations, tadpole-shape and horseshoe-shape orbits are well-known. Other 1:1 libration modes different from the elementary ones can exist at moderate or large eccentricities and inclinations. Coorbital objects are not rare in our solar system, for example the Trojans asteroids and the coorbital satellite systems of Saturn. Recently, dozens of coorbital bodies have been identified among the near-Earth asteroids. These coorbital asteroids are believed to transit recurrently between different 1:1 libration modes mainly due to orbital precessions, planetary perturbations, and other possible effects. The Hamiltonian system and the Hill’s three-body problem are two effective approaches to study coorbital motions. To apply the perturbation theory to the Hamiltonian system, standard procedures involve the development of the disturbing function, averaging and normalization, theory of ideal resonance model, secular perturbation theory, etc. Global dynamics of coorbital motion can be revealed by the Hamiltonian approach with a suitable expansion. The Hill’s problem is particularly suitable for the studies on the relative motion of two coorbital bodies during their close encounter. The Hill’s equation derived from the circular restricted three-body problem is well known. However, the general Hill’s problem whose equation of motion takes exactly the same form applies to the non-restricted case where the mass of each body is non-negligible, namely the planetary case. The Hill’s problem can be transformed into a “canonical shape” so that the averaging principle can be applied to construct a secular perturbation theory. Besides the two analytical theories, numerical methods may be consulted, for example the approach of periodic orbit, the surface of section, and the computation of invariant manifolds carried by equilibriums or periodic orbits.     

Resonant Periodic Orbits of Trans-Neptunian Objects

We study two and three-dimensional resonant periodic orbits, usingthe model of the restricted three-body problem with the Sun andNeptune as primaries. The position and the stability character ofthe periodic orbits determine the structure of the phase space andthis will provide useful information on the stability and longterm evolution of trans-Neptunian objects. The circular planarmodel is used as the starting point. Families of periodic orbitsare computed at the exterior resonances 1/2, 2/3 and 3/4 withNeptune and these are used as a guide to select the energy levelsfor the computation of the Poincaré maps, so that all basicresonances are included in the study. Using the circular planarmodel as the basic model, we extend our study to more realisticmodels by considering an elliptic orbit of Neptune and introducingthe inclination of the orbit. Families of symmetric periodicorbits of the planar elliptic restricted three-body problem andthe three-dimensional problem are found. All these orbitsbifurcate from the families of periodic orbits of the planarcircular problem. The stability of all orbits is studied. Althoughthe resonant structure in the circular problem is similar for allresonances, the situation changes if the eccentricity of Neptuneor the inclination of the orbit is taken into account. All theseresults are combined to explain why in some resonances there aremany bodies and other resonances are empty.     

Partial averaging near a resonance in planetary dynamics

An analytical treatment of the evolutionary dynamics of a three-body planetary system subject to dynamical friction with an interplanetary medium is presented. The analysis presented here is in connection with the results of numerical integrations of such systems recently published by Haghighipour. Using the method of partial averaging near a resonance, the dynamics of a restricted, circular, planar three-body system, with the inner body more massive, is studied and the time variation of quantities such as the orbital angular momentum and the eccentricity of the outer planet, which were previously obtained from numerical integrations, is analytically verified.     

The periodic orbits of the second kind in terms of Giacaglia's variables with oblateness

Utilizing secular perturbing potential due to oblateness, the existence of periodic orbits of the second kind is established through analytic continuation using Giacaglia's canonical variables in the planar restricted three-body problem when the more massive primary is an oblate spheroid with its equatorial plane coincident with the plane of motion.