Resonant periodic orbits in a bisymmetrical potential

In the present paper we discuss the properties of several families of resonant periodic orbits in a general, time-independent, two-dimensional potential field, symmetric with respect to both axesx andyy. We classify the different cases by varying the parameters of the problem. In order to verify the theoretical results we also present some numerical examples.     

On periodic orbits and resonance in extrasolar planetary systems

We study the evolution of an extrasolar planetary system with two planets, for planar motion, starting from an exact resonant periodic motion and increasing the deviation from the equilibrium solution. We keep the semimajor axes and the eccentricities of the two planets fixed and we change the initial conditions by rotating the orbit of the outer planet by Δω. In this way the resonance is preserved, but we deviate from the exact periodicity and there is a transition from order to chaos as the deviation increases. There are three different routes to chaos, as far as the evolution of (ω ₂ ? ω ₁) is concerned: (a) Libration → rotation → chaos, with intermittent transition from libration to rotation in between, (b) libration → chaos and (c) libration → intermittent interchange between libration and rotation → chaos. This indicates that resonant planetary systems where the angle (ω ₂ ? ω ₁) librates or rotates are not different, but are closely connected to the exact periodic motion.     

Influence of periodic orbits on the formation of giant planetary systems

The late-stage formation of giant planetary systems is rich in interesting dynamical mechanisms. Previous simulations of three giant planets initially on quasi-circular and quasi-coplanar orbits in the gas disc have shown that highly mutually inclined configurations can be formed, despite the strong eccentricity and inclination damping exerted by the disc. Much attention has been directed to inclination-type resonance, asking for large eccentricities to be acquired during the migration of the planets. Here we show that inclination excitation is also present at small to moderate eccentricities in two-planet systems that have previously experienced an ejection or a merging and are close to resonant commensurabilities at the end of the gas phase. We perform a dynamical analysis of these planetary systems, guided by the computation of planar families of periodic orbits and the bifurcation of families of spatial periodic orbits. We show that inclination excitation at small to moderate eccentricities can be produced by (temporary) capture in inclination-type resonance and the possible proximity of the non-coplanar systems to spatial periodic orbits contributes to maintaining their mutual inclination over long periods of time.     

Irregular periodic orbits

We study the peculiarities of irregular periodic orbits, i.e. orbits belonging to families not connected with the main families or their bifurcation, of Hamiltonian systems of two degrees of freedom. Families of irregular periodic orbits appear in triplets which are either closed or extend to infinity. If these triplets form an infinite sequence they surround an escape region. It seems probable that in general regions covered by irregular families are of high degree of stochasticity.     

2/1 resonant periodic orbits in three dimensional planetary systems

We consider the general spatial three body problem and study the dynamics of planetary systems consisting of a star and two planets which evolve into 2/1 mean motion resonance and into inclined orbits. Our study is focused on the periodic orbits of the system given in a suitable rotating frame. The stability of periodic orbits characterize the evolution of any planetary system with initial conditions in their vicinity. Stable periodic orbits are associated with long term regular evolution, while unstable periodic orbits are surrounded by regions of chaotic motion. We compute many families of symmetric periodic orbits by applying two schemes of analytical continuation. In the first scheme, we start from the 2/1 (or 1/2) resonant periodic orbits of the restricted problem and in the second scheme, we start from vertical critical periodic orbits of the general planar problem. Most of the periodic orbits are unstable, but many stable periodic orbits have been, also, found with mutual inclination up to 50^?–60^?, which may be related with the existence of real planetary systems.     

Keplerian periodic orbits in the isosceles problem

The planar isosceles three-body problem where the two symmetric bodies have small masses is considered as a perturbation of the Kepler problem. We prove that the circular orbits can be continued to saddle orbits of the Isosceles problem. This continuation is not possible in the elliptic case. Their perturbed orbits tend to a continued circular one or approach a triple collision. The basic tool used is the study of the Poincaré maps associated with the periodic solutions. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Secular apsidal configuration of non-resonant exoplanetary systems

Using a high-order (order 12) expansion of the perturbative potential in powers of eccentricities [Libert, A.-S., Henrard, J., 2005. Celest. Mech. Dynam. Astron. 93, 187-200], we study the secular effects of two coplanar planets which are not in mean motion resonances. The main results concern eccentricity variations, oscillation amplitude of the angular difference of the apsidal lines (Δ?) and frequency of such an oscillation. We show that this analytical approach describes correctly the behaviour of most of the exosystems and underlines the known limitations of the linear Laplace-Lagrange theory. Apsidal configuration of υ Andromedae, HD 168443, HD 169830, HD 38529, HD 74156 and HD 12661 are examined. We also point out the great sensitivity of the υ Andromedae system to the initial values (e₁(0), e₂(0) or Δ?(0)).     

Resonant orbits in the vicinity of asteroid 216 Kleopatra

This investigation examines the resonant orbits in the vicinity of asteroid 216 Kleopatra using a precise gravitational model, with emphasis on their crucial role in determining the global orbital behaviors. Three-dimensional Monte Carlo simulations of test particle trajectories are launched to find the condition and probability distribution of resonance. It is revealed the resonant orbits are rich and concentrated in the near-field regime, which provides a short-term mechanism to clear the vicinal ejecta away from the asteroid. The unstable boundary predicted in our calculations is consistent with the observed mutual orbits of satellites S/2008 (216) 1 and S/2008 (216) 2. The probability distribution of resonance is considered as an indicator of the stability of vicinal orbits, and the results are identical to the previous analysis by Scheeres et al. (Icarus 121:67, 1996) for the stability of retrograde orbits around asteroid 4769 Castalia.     

Secular frequencies of 3-D exoplanetary systems

Using a 12th order expansion of the perturbative potential in powers of the eccentricities and the inclinations, we study the secular effects of two non-coplanar planets which are not in mean–motion resonance. By means of Lie transformations (which introduce an action–angle formulation of the Hamiltonian), we find the four fundamental frequencies of the 3-D secular three-body problem and compute the long-term time evolutions of the Keplerian elements. To find the relations between these elements, the main combinations of the fundamental frequencies common to these evolutions are identified by frequency analysis. This study is performed for two different reference frames: a general one and the Laplace plane. We underline the known limitations of the linear Laplace–Lagrange theory and point out the great sensitivity of the 3-D secular three-body problem to its initial values. This analytical approach is applied to the exoplanetary system Andromedae in order to search whether the eccentricities evolutions and the apsidal configuration (libration of ) observed in the coplanar case are maintained for increasing initial values of the mutual inclination of the two orbital planes. Anne-Sophie Libert is FNRS Research Fellow.     

Three-dimensional periodic orbits in barred galaxies

We study the properties of the families of three-dimensional periodic orbits which bifurcate from the vertical critical orbits of the retrograde family of quasi-circular plane periodic orbits which extend from the galactic center up to infinity. We consider the case of a barred galaxy with a strong central bulge. The values of the parameters are chosen in such a way as to cover the cases of a strong or weak bar with a fast or slow rotation.     

Analytic continuation of periodic orbits from equilibria of two-degree-of-freedom systems in rotating coordinates

A new theory is formulated for the analytic continuation of periodic (and aperiodic) orbits from equilibrium solutions of a two-degree-of-freedom dynamical system in rotating coordinates:% MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafeart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXafv3ySLgzGmvETj2BSbqefm0B1jxALjhiov2D% aebbfv3ySLgzGueE0jxyaibaiiYdd9qrFfea0dXdf9vqai-hEir8Ve% ea0de9qq-hbrpepeea0db9q8as0-LqLs-Jirpepeea0-as0Fb9pgea% 0lrP0xe9Fve9Fve9qapdbaqaaeGacaGaaiaabeqaamaabaabcaGcba% acbiGab8xDayaacaGaa8xlaiaa-jdacaWFUbGaeqyXduNaa8xpaiaa% -zfadaWgaaWcbaGccaWF4baaleqaaOGaaiilaiqbew8a1zaacaGaey% 4kaSIaaGOmaiaad6gacaWG1bGaeyypa0Jaa8NvamaaBaaaleaakiaa% -LhaaSqabaGccaGGSaGabmiEayaacaGaeyypa0JaamyDaiaacYcace% WG5bGbaiaacqGH9aqpcqaHfpqDaaa!54CD!\[\dot u - 2n\upsilon = V_x ,\dot \upsilon + 2nu = V_y ,\dot x = u,\dot y = \upsilon \]Away from resonance, a family of nonlinear, normal-mode orbits defines an autonomous velocity field u(x, y), u(x, y) represented by convergent algebraic-series expansions in the two position variables. This approach is useful for determining the global structure of solution curves and nonlinear stability of normal modes using Liapunov's direct method. At resonance, the series coefficients are time dependent because stationary modes are incompatible with the equations of motion. By eliminating small divisors, explicit time dependence provides a natural transition from non-resonance to resonance cases within the same theory.     

Non-schubart periodic orbits in the rectilinear three-body problem

In the present paper, in the rectilinear three-body problem, we qualitatively follow the positions of non-Schubart periodic orbits as the mass parameter changes. This is done by constructing their characteristic curves. In order to construct characteristic curves, we assume a set of properties on the shape of areas corresponding to symbol sequences. These properties are assured by our preceding numerical calculations. The main result is that characteristic curves always start at triple collision and end at triple collision. This may give us some insight into the nature of periodic orbits in the N-body problem.     

Families of periodic orbits in the three-body problem

We show by a general argument that periodic solutions of the planar problem of three bodies (with given masses) form one-parameter families. This result is confirmed by numerical investigations: two orbits found earlier by Standish and Szebehely are shown to belong to continuous one-parameter families of periodic orbits. In general these orbits have a non-zero angular momentum, and the configuration after one period is rotated with respect to the initial configuration. Similar general arguments whow that in the three-dimensional problem, periodic orbits form also one-parameter families; in the one-dimensional problem, periodic orbits are isolated.     

Intrinsic stability of periodic orbits

Families of orbits of a conservative, two degree-of-freedom system are represented by an unsteady velocity field with componentsu(x, y, t) andv(x, y, t). Intrinsic stability properties depend on velocity field divergence and curl, whose dynamical evolution is determined by a matrix Riccati equation. Near equilibrium, divergence-free or irrotational fields are dynamically compatible with the conservative force field. It is shown that a necessary condition for stable periodic orbits is satisfied when the orbitaveraged divergence is zero, which results in bounded normal variations. A sufficient condition for stability is derived from the requirement that tangential variations do not exhibit secular growth.In a steady, divergence-free field, velocity component functionsu(x, y) andv(x, y) may be continuedanalytically from any initial condition, except when velocity is parallel to U or at equilibria. In an unsteady field, the orbit-averaged divergence is zero when the vorticity function is periodic. When such a field exists, initial conditions for stable periodic orbits (i.e., characteristic loci) may be determinedanalytically.     

Regular and irregular periodic orbits

We distinguish between regular orbits, that bifurcate from the main families of periodic orbits (those that exist also in the unperturbed case) and irregular periodic orbits, that are independent of the above. The genuine irregular families cannot be made to join the regular families by changing some parameters. We present evidence that all irregular families appear inside lobes formed by the asymptotic curves of the unstable periodic orbits. We study in particular a dynamical system of two degrees of freedom, that is symmetric with respect to the x-axis, and has also a triple resonance in its unperturbed form. The distribution of the periodic orbits (points on a Poincaré surface of section) shows some conspicuous lines composed of points of different multiplicities. The regular periodic orbits along these lines belong to Farey trees. But there are also lines composed mainly of irregular orbits. These are images of the x-axis in the map defined on the Poincaré surface of section. Higher order iterations of this map , close to the unstable triple periodic orbit, produce lines that are close to the asymptotic curves of this unstable orbit. The homoclinic tangle, formed by these asymptotic curves, contains many regular orbits, that were generated by bifurcation from the central orbit, but were trapped inside the tangle as the perturbation increased. We found some stable periodic orbits inside the homoclinic tangle, both regular and irregular. This proves that the homoclinic tangle is not completely chaotic, but contains gaps (islands of stability) filled with KAM curves.     

Characteristics of resonant periodic orbits

We study the families of periodic orbits in a time-independent two-dimensional potential field symmetric with respect to both axes. By numerical calculations we find characteristic curves of several families of periodic orbits when the ratio of the unperturbed frequencies isA ^1/2/B ^1/2=2/1. There are two groups of characteristic curves: (a) The basic characteristic and the characteristics which bifurcate from it. (b) The characteristics which start from the boundary line and the axisx=0.     

Resonant motion of trans-Neptunian objects in high-eccentricity orbits

A substantial fraction of the Edgeworth-Kuiper belt objects are presently known to move in resonance with Neptune (the principal commensurabilities are 1/2, 3/5, 2/3, and 3/4). We have found that many of the distant (with orbital semimajor axes a > 50 AU) trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) also execute resonant motions. Our investigation is based on symplectic integrations of the equations of motion for all multiple-opposition TNOs with a > 50 AU with allowance made for the uncertainties in their initial orbits. Librations near such commensurabilities with Neptune as 4/9, 3/7, 5/12, 2/5, 3/8, 4/27, and others have been found. The largest number of distant TNOs move near the 2/5 resonance with Neptune: 12 objects librate with a probability higher than 0.75. The multiplicity of objects moving in 2/5 resonance and the longterm stability of their librations suggest that this group of resonant objects was formed at early formation stages of the Solar system. For most of the other resonant objects, the librations are temporary. We also show the importance of asymmetric resonances in the large changes in TNO perihelion distances.     

Resonant orbits of grains and the formation of satellites

Grains, an abundant constituent of the former solar system, will have had a high probability of being driven into orbits resonant with major bodies already formed. This arises because of the presence of gas drag and Poynting-Robertson drag on small grains, providing the dissipation necessary to concentrate matter into special orbits. Since the mean density in resonant orbits can be built up by such a process without limit, these may become the favored orbits for gravitational contraction to gather material into major bodies. Satellite formation processes may therefore depend upon the buildup of resonant lanes of dust grains around the parent body. Saturn's rings are possibly one example of such lanes, though an unsuitable one for the final step of satellite formation on account of their being too close to Saturn.     

Planar periodic orbits in three dipole problem

A systematic and detailed discussion of planar periodic orbits, of a charged particle moving under the influence of an electromagnetic field of three celestial bodies, is given for the first time. In this problem the periodic orbits are all asymmetric. Numerical procedures are applied to find the families of these orbits and to study their stability. Moreover, the bifurcations of these families with families of three dimensional asymmetric periodic orbits are given.     

Families of periodic orbits in the planar three-body problem

A periodic orbit of the restricted circular three-body problem, selected arbitrarily, is used to generate a family of periodic motions in the general three-body problem in a rotating frame of reference, by varying the massm ₃ of the third body. This family is continued numerically up to a maximum value of the mass of the originally small body, which corresponds to a mass ratiom ₁:m ₂:m ₃?5:5:3. From that point on the family continues for decreasing massesm ₃ until this mass becomes again equal to zero. It turns out that this final orbit of the family is a periodic orbit of the elliptic restricted three body problem. These results indicate clearly that families of periodic motions of the three-body problem exist for fixed values of the three masses, since this continuation can be applied to all members of a family of periodic orbits of the restricted three-body problem. It is also indicated that the periodic orbits of the circular restricted problem can be linked with the periodic orbits of the elliptic three-body problem through periodic orbits of the general three-body problem.