Remarks on the photogravitational restricted three-body problem

The effects of the radiation pressure in the restricted three-body problem are considered and the existence of the out-of-plane equilibrium points is analyzed. It is found that within the framework of the stellar stability, the five Lagrangian points are the only equilibrium points, at least as far as the force of the radiation pressure is taken into account.     

The zero velocity surfaces in the photogravitational restricted three-body problem

The surfaces of zero velocity of the restricted three-body problem when the more massive body is luminous, are studied. The properties of the function which determines these surfaces are given. It is found that the topological properties of the zero velocity surfaces while not affected by the variation of the mass parameter, are essentially varied when the radiation pressure parameter changes values. Closed regions where the motion can be trapped are described while periodic motions about the out of plane equilibrium points seem to be probable.     

Homoclinic and heteroclinic orbits in the photogravitational restricted three-body problem

We study numerically the asymptotic homoclinic and heteroclinic orbits around the hyperbolic Lyapunov periodic orbits which emanate from Euler's critical points L ₁ and L ₂, in the photogravitational restricted plane circular three-body problem. The invariant stable-unstable manifolds associated to these Lyapunov orbits, are also presented. Poincaré surface of sections of these manifolds on appropriate planes and several homoclinic and heteroclinic orbits for the gravitational case as well as for varying radiation factor q ₁, are displayed. Homoclinic-homoclinic and homoclinic-heteroclinic-homoclinic chains which link the interior with the exterior Hill's regions, are illustrated. We adopt the Sun-Jupiter system and assume that only the larger primary radiates. It is found that for small deviations of its value from the gravitational case (q ₁ = 1), the radiation pressure exerts a significant impact on the Hill's regions and on these asymptotic orbits.     

Critical symmetric periodic orbits in the photogravitational restricted three-body problem

In this paper, we determine series of horizontally critical symmetric periodic orbits of the six basic families, f,g,h,i,l,m, of the photogravitational restricted three-body problem, and computetheir vertical stability. We restrict our study in the case where only the first primary is radiating, namely q ₁≠1 andq ₂=1. We also compare our results with those of Hénon and Guyot (1970) so as to study the effect of radiation to this kind of orbits. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Stability of the photogravitational restricted three-body problem with variable masses

This paper investigates the stability of equilibrium points in the restricted three-body problem, in which the masses of the luminous primaries vary isotropically in accordance with the unified Meshcherskii law, and their motion takes place within the framework of the Gylden–Meshcherskii problem. For the autonomized system, it is found that collinear and coplanar points are unstable, while the triangular points are conditionally stable. It is also observed that, in the triangular case, the presence of a constant κ, of a particular integral of the Gylden–Meshcherskii problem, makes the destabilizing tendency of the radiation pressures strong. The stability of equilibrium points varying with time is tested using the Lyapunov Characteristic Numbers (LCN). It is seen that the range of stability or instability depends on the parameter κ. The motion around the equilibrium points L _i (i=1,2,…,7) for the restricted three-body problem with variable masses is in general unstable.     

The effect of photogravitational force and oblateness in the perturbed restricted three-body problem

The model of restricted three-body is generalized to include the effects of the oblateness, the radiation pressure and fictitious forces. The positions of libration points, their stability, the critical mass ratio and periodic orbits emanating from these points are analyzed under the influence of these effects. The results obtained are more generalized. In addition the locations of the out of plane equilibrium points are studied. We also observe that there is no explicit effect for the perturbation of Coriolis force on the positions of the out of plane equilibrium points. It is worth mentioning that this model can be degraded into 128 special cases.     

Quasiintegrals of the photogravitational eccentric restricted three-body problem with Poynting–Robertson drag

A restricted three-body problem for a dust particle, in presence of a spherical cometary nucleus in an eccentric (elliptic, parabolic or hyperbolic) orbit about the Sun, is considered. The force of radiation pressure and the Poynting– Robertson effect are taken into account. The differential equations of the particle’s non-inertial spatial motion are investigated both analytically and numerically. With the help of a complex representation, a new single equation of the motion is obtained. Conversion of the equations of motion system into a single equation allows the derivation of simple expressions similar to the integral of energy and integrals of areas. The derived expressions are named quasiintegrals. Relative values of terms of the energy quasiintegral for a smallest, largest, and a mean comet are calculated. We have found that in a number of cases the quasiintegrals are related to the regular integrals of motion, and discuss how the quasiintegrals may be applied to find some significant constraints on the motion of a body of infinitesimal mass.     

On the triangular libration points in photogravitational restricted three-body problem with variable mass

This paper investigates the triangular libration points in the photogravitational restricted three-body problem of variable mass, in which both the attracting bodies are radiating as well and the infinitesimal body vary its mass with time according to Jeans’ law. Firstly, applying the space-time transformation of Meshcherskii in the special case when q=1/2, k=0, n=1, the differential equations of motion of the problem are given. Secondly, in analogy to corresponding problem with constant mass, the positions of analogous triangular libration points are obtained, and the fact that these triangular libration points cease to be classical ones when α≠0, but turn to classical L ₄ and L ₅ naturally when α=0 is pointed out. Lastly, introducing the space-time inverse transformation of Meshcherskii, the linear stability of triangular libration points is tested when α>0. It is seen that the motion around the triangular libration points become unstable in general when the problem with constant mass evolves into the problem with decreasing mass.     

Bifurcations of plane to 3D periodic orbits in the photogravitational restricted three-body problem

We consider bifurcation of 3D periodic orbits from the plane ofmotion of the primaries in the photogravitational restricted three-bodyproblem. The simplest periodic 3D orbits branch from the plane periodicorbits of indifferent vertical stability. We compute the first few suchorbits of the basic families l, m, i, h, a, b, c forvarying mass parameter and for varying radiation coefficient of thelarger primary. The horizontal stability of the orbits is also computedleading to predictions about possible stability of the 3D orbits.     

On the stability of triangular libration points of the photogravitational restricted circular three-body problem

This paper considers the restricted circular three-body problem with respect to the radiation repulsion force acting upon a particle on the part of one of the main bodies (the Sun). The characteristic of the family of stationary particular solutions of the problem (libration points) representing the relative equilibrium positions in a rotating Cartesian system is given. On the basis of the KAM theory with the help of a computer a nonlinear analysis of the triangular libration points stability for the planar case is carried out. These libration points are proved to be strictly stable by Liapunov practically in the whole area of fulfilling the necessary stability conditions. Instability is discovered at the resonant curve of the third order and at the greater part of the resonant curve of the fourth order. The plotted results of the investigation allowed us to draw a conclusion about the Liapunov stability of the triangular libration points in a problem with respect to the radiation pressure for all the planets of the Solar system.     

The singly averaged elliptical restricted three-body problem

The plane, singly averaged, elliptical restricted three body problem is considered in the article. The first three terms are taken in the perturbing function. The equations of motion in terms of the canonical elements of Delaunay are obtained. And the change of the elements of motion of the satellite due to the perturbing function is calculated. An application is given in the case of a satellite in the earth-moon system.     

The restricted three-body problem with logarithm potential

We present a study of the restricted three body problem with logarithm potential. We discuss equilibria, stability, Hill’s regions of motion and the families of periodic orbits near equilibria. Moreover, we show that equilibria and some periodic orbits continue in the logarithm three body problem.     

The restricted three-body problem in cylindrical clouds

The fragmentation of interstellar molecular clouds has been investigated with great effort by many authors. In this paper, a simple model is given to describe the dynamics of two fragments moving in a special cylindrical potential. Using a modified version of the restricted three-body problem and the corresponding Jacobian integral, some constraints are given for the motion of the fragments.     

Analysis on the stability of triangular points in the perturbed photogravitational restricted three-body problem with variable masses

This paper examines the effect of a constant κ of a particular integral of the Gylden-Meshcherskii problem on the stability of the triangular points in the restricted three-body problem under the influence of small perturbations in the Coriolis and centrifugal forces, together with the effects of radiation pressure of the bigger primary, when the masses of the primaries vary in accordance with the unified Meshcherskii law. The triangular points of the autonomized system are found to be conditionally stable due to κ. We observed further that the stabilizing or destabilizing tendency of the Coriolis and centrifugal forces is controlled by κ, while the destabilizing effects of the radiation pressure remain unchanged but can be made strong or weak due to κ. The condition that the region of stability is increasing, decreasing or does not exist depend on this constant. The motion around the triangular points L _4,5 varying with time is studied using the Lyapunov Characteristic Numbers, and are found to be generally unstable.     

Robe's restricted three-body problem revisited

Robe's restricted three-body problem is reanalyzed with a view to incorporate a new assumption, namely that the configuration of the fluid body is that described by an hydrostatic equilibrium figure (Roche's ellipsoid). In the concomitant gravitational field a full treatment of the buoyancy force is given. The pertinent equations of motion are derived, the linear stability of the equilibrium solution is studied and the connection between the effect of the buoyancy forces and a perturbation of the Coriolis force is pointed out.     

The linear stability of libration points of the photogravitational restricted three-body problem when the smaller primary is an oblate spheroid

This paper deals with the stationary solutions of the planar restricted three-body problem when the more massive primary is a source of radiation and the smaller primary is an oblate spheroid with its equatorial plane coincident with the plane of motion. The collinear equilibria have conditional retrograde elliptical periodic orbits around them in the linear sense, while the triangular points have long- or short-periodic retrograde elliptical orbits for the mass parameter 0 < _crit, the critical mass parameter, which decreases with the increase in oblateness and radiation force. Through special choice of initial conditions, retrograde elliptical periodic orbits exist for the case = _crit, whose eccentricity increases with oblateness and decreases with radiation force for non-zero oblateness.     

Numerical exploration of the photogravitational restricted five-body problem

We study numerically the restricted five-body problem when some or all the primary bodies are sources of radiation. The allowed regions of motion as determined by the zero-velocity surface and corresponding equipotential curves, as well as the positions of the equilibrium points are given. We found that the number of the collinear equilibrium points of the problem depends on the mass parameter β and the radiation factors q _i , i=0,…,3. The stability of the equilibrium points are also studied. Critical masses associated with the number of the equilibrium points and their stability are given. The network of the families of simple symmetric periodic orbits, vertical critical periodic solutions and the corresponding bifurcation three-dimensional families when the mass parameter β and the radiation factors q _i vary are illustrated. Series, with respect to the mass (and to the radiation) parameter, of critical periodic orbits are calculated.     

The circular restricted three-body problem in curvilinear coordinates

We derive the exact equations of motion for the circular restricted three-body problem in cylindrical curvilinear coordinates together with a number of useful analytical relations linking curvilinear coordinates and classical orbital elements. The equations of motion can be seen as a generalization of Hill’s problem after including all neglected nonlinear terms. As an application of the method, we obtain a new expression for the averaged third-body disturbing function including eccentricity and inclination terms. We employ the latter to study the dynamics of the guiding center for the problem of circular coorbital motion providing an extension of some results in the literature.     

Equilibrium points in the photogravitational restricted four-body problem

We study numerically the photogravitational version of the problem of four bodies, where an infinitesimal particle is moving under the Newtonian gravitational attraction of three bodies which are finite, moving in circles around their center of mass fixed at the origin of the coordinate system, according to the solution of Lagrange where they are always at the vertices of an equilateral triangle. The fourth body does not affect the motion of the three bodies (primaries). We consider that the primary body m ₁ is dominant and is a source of radiation while the other two small primaries m ₂ and m ₃ are equal. In this case (photogravitational) we examine the linear stability of the Lagrange triangle solution. The allowed regions of motion as determined by the zero-velocity surface and corresponding equipotential curves, as well as the positions of the equilibrium points on the orbital plane are given. The existence and the number of the collinear and the non-collinear equilibrium points of the problem depends on the mass parameters of the primaries and the radiation factor q ₁. Critical masses m ₃ and radiation q ₁ associated with the existence and the number of the equilibrium points are given. The stability of the relative equilibrium solutions in all cases are also studied. In the last section we investigate the existence and location of the out of orbital plane equilibrium points of the problem. We found that such critical points exist. These points lie in the (x,z) plane in symmetrical positions with respect to (x,y) plane. The stability of these points are also examined.