Solution of the Sitnikov Problem

A new analytic expression for the position of the infinitesimal body in the elliptic Sitnikov problem is presented. This solution is valid for small bounded oscillations in cases of moderate primary eccentricities. We first linearize the problem and obtain solution to this Hill's type equation. After that the lowest order nonlinear force is added to the problem. The final solution to the equation with nonlinear force included is obtained through first the use of a Courant and Snyder transformation followed by the Lindstedt–Poincaré perturbation method and again an application of Courant and Snyder transformation. The solution thus obtained is compared with existing solutions, and satisfactory agreement is found.     

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.     

Stability of the Triangular Libration Points in the Unrestricted Planar Problem of a Symmetric Rigid Body and a Point Mass

In papers (Godziewski and Maciejewski, 1998a, b, 1999), we investigate unrestricted, planar problem of a dynamically symmetric rigid body and a sphere. Following the original statement of the problem by Kokoriev and Kirpichnikov (1988), we assume that the potential of the rigid body is approximated by the gravitational field of a dumb-bell. The model is described in terms of a 2D Hamiltonian depending on three parameters.In this paper, we investigate the stability of triangular equilibria permissible by the dynamics of the model, under the assumption of low-order resonances. We analyze all resonances of order smaller than four, and we examine the stability with application of theorems by Markeev and Sokolsky. These are the possible following cases: the non-diagonal resonance of the first order with two null characteristic frequencies (unstable); resonances of the first order with one nonzero frequency (diagonal and non-diagonal, stable and unstable); the second-order resonance, which is non-diagonal and stable, and the third-order resonance which is generically unstable, except for three points in the parameters' space, corresponding to stable equilibria.We discuss a perturbed version of Kokoriev and Kirpichnikov model, and we find that if the perturbation is small and depends on the coordinates only, the triangular equilibria persist, except if for the unperturbed equilibria the first-order resonance occurs. We show that the resonances of the order higher than two are also preserved if the perturbation acts.     

Sun-perturbed earth-to-moon transfers with low energy and moderate flight time

We construct a spacecraft transfer with low cost and moderate flight time from the Earth to the Moon. The motion of the spacecraft is modeled by the planar circular restricted three-body problem including a perturbation due to the solar gravitation. Our approach is to reduce computation of optimal transfers to a non-linear boundary value problem. Using a computer software called AUTO, we solve it and continue its solutions numerically to obtain the optimal transfers. Our result also shows that the use of the solar gravitation can further lower the transfer cost drastically.     

Topology of the Two Fixed Centers Problem

In this paper we give a complete topological characterization of the Two Fixed Centers (TFC) problem flow. This characterization is based on the link formed by some basic periodic orbits. The Restricted Circular Three-Body (RCTB) problem is considered as a perturbation of the TFC in the case of two primaries with equal masses. The basic periodic orbits of the integrable problem can be continued in the non-integrable one.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Non-Continuation of Integrals of the Rotating Two-body Problem in Hill's Lunar Problem

We consider Hill's lunar problem as a perturbation of the integrable two-body problem. For this we avoid the usual normalization in which the angular velocity of the rotating frame of reference is put equal to unity and consider as the perturbation parameter. We first express the Hamiltonian H of Hill's lunar problem in the Delaunay variables. More precisely we deduce the expressions of H along the orbits of the two-body problem. Afterwards with the help of the conserved quantities of the planar two-body problem (energy, angular momentum and Laplace–Runge–Lenz vector) we prove that Hill's lunar problem does not possess a second integral of motion, independent of H, in the sense that there exist no analytic continuation of integrals, which are linear functions of in the rotating two-body problem. In connection with the proof of this main result we give a further restrictive statement to the nonintegrability of Hill's lunar problem.     

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.     

Ejection-collision orbits with the more massive primary in the planar elliptic restricted three body problem

The main goal of this paper is to give an approximation to initial conditions for ejection-collision orbits with the more massive primary, in the planar elliptic restricted three body problem when the mass parameter µ and the eccentricity e are small enough. The proof is based on a regularization of variables and a perturbation of the two body problem.This work was partially supported by DGICYT grant number PB90-0695.     

A High Order Perturbation Analysis of the Sitnikov Problem

The Sitnikov problem is one of the most simple cases of the elliptic restricted three body system. A massless body oscillates along a line (z) perpendicular to a plane (x,y) in which two equally massive bodies, called primary masses, perform Keplerian orbits around their common barycentre with a given eccentricity e. The crossing point of the line of motion of the third mass with the plane is equal to the centre of gravity of the entire system. In spite of its simple geometrical structure, the system is nonlinear and explicitly time dependent. It is globally non integrable and therefore represents an interesting application for advanced perturbative methods. In the present work a high order perturbation approach to the problem was performed, by using symbolic algorithms written in Mathematica. Floquet theory was used to derive solutions of the linearized equation up to 17th order in e. In this way precise analytical expressions for the stability of the system were obtained. Then, applying the Courant and Snyder transformation to the nonlinear equation, algebraic solutions of seventh order in z and e were derived using the method of Poincaré–Lindstedt. The enormous amount of necessary computations were performed by extensive use of symbolic programming. We developed automated and highly modularized algorithms in order to master the problem of ordering an increasing number of algebraic terms originating from high order perturbation theory.     

The restricted two-body problem in constant curvature spaces

We perform the bifurcation analysis of the Kepler problem on and . An analog of the Delaunay variables is introduced. We investigate the motion of a point mass in the field of a Newtonian center moving along a geodesic on and (the restricted two-body problem). For the case of a small curvature, the pericenter shift is computed using the perturbation theory. We also present the results of numerical analysis based on an analogy with the motion of a rigid body.     

Mass-Weighted Symplectic Forms for the N-Body Problem

Mass-weighted symplectic forms provide a unified framework for the treatment of both finite and vanishingly small masses in the N-body problem. These forms are introduced, compared to previous approaches, and their properties are discussed. Applications to symplectic mappings, the definition of action-angle variables for the Kepler problem, and Hamiltonian perturbation theory are outlined This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A new analytic approach to the Sitnikov problem

A new analytic approach to the solution of the Sitnikov Problem is introduced. It is valid for bounded small amplitude solutions (z _max = 0.20) (in dimensionless variables) and eccentricities of the primary bodies in the interval (–0.4 < e < 0.4). First solutions are searched for the limiting case of very small amplitudes for which it is possible to linearize the problem. The solution for this linear equation with a time dependent periodic coefficient is written up to the third order in the primaries eccentricity. After that the lowest order nonlinear amplitude contribution (being of order z ³) is dealt with as perturbation to the linear solution. We first introduce a transformation which reduces the linear part to a harmonic oscillator type equation. Then two near integrals for the nonlinear problem are derived in action angle notation and an analytic expression for the solution z(t) is derived from them. The so found analytic solution is compared to results obtained from numeric integration of the exact equation of motion and is found to be in very good agreement. CERN SL/AP     

The Symmetrical One-dimensional Newtonian Four-body Problem: A Numerical Investigation

Numerical simulations of the one-dimensional Newtonian four-body problem have been conducted for the special case in which the bodies are distributed symmetrically about the centre of mass. Simulations show a great similarity between this problem and the one-dimensional Newtonian three-body problem. As in that problem the orbits can be divided into three different categories which form well-defined regions on a Poincaré section: there is a region of quasiperiodic orbits about a Schubart-like periodic orbit, there is a region of fast-scattering encounters and in between these two regions there is a chaotic scattering region. The Schubart-like periodic orbit's stability to perturbation is studied. It is apparently stable in one-dimension but is unstable in three-dimensions.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

有摄圆型限制性三体问题平动点稳定的充要条件及应用

摘要给出了一个判断有摄圆型限制性三体问题平动点稳定性的充要条件．该条件只依赖于平动点变分方程的特征方程系数的一个简单关系，使用很方便．用所得到的条件，讨论了任意外力摄动对经典圆型限制性三体问题三角平动点稳定性的影响和惯性阻力摄动对Robe圆型限制性三体问题主要平动点的稳定性的影响．     

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.     

CORIOLIS力和离心力摄动对Robe问题平动点位置和线性稳定性的影响

研究了Coriolis力和离心力摄动对Robe限制性三体问题主要平动点位置及线性稳定性的影响，给出了Robe限制性三体问题主要平动点的摄动位置和Coriolis力和离心力摄动对主要平动点位置和线性稳定的影响量级．改进了Shrivastava的结果．     

A Family of Symmetrical Schubart-Like Interplay Orbits and their Stability in the One-Dimensional Four-Body Problem

We locate members of an important category of periodic orbits in the Newtonian four-body problem. These systems perform an interplay motion similar to that of the periodic three-body orbit discovered by Schubart. Such orbits, when stable, have been shown to be a key feature and influence on the dynamics of few-body systems. We consider the restricted case where the masses are collinear and are distributed symmetrically about their centre of mass. A family of orbits is generated from the known (three-dimensionally) unstable equal masses case by varying the mass ratio, whilst maintaining the symmetry. The stability of these orbits to perturbation is studied using linear stability analysis, analytical approximation of limiting cases and nonlinear simulation. We answer the natural question: are there any stable periodic orbits of this kind? Three ranges of the mass ratio are found to have stable orbits and three ranges have unstable orbits for three-dimensional motion. The systems closely resemble their three-body counterparts. Here the family of interplay orbits is simpler requiring just one parameter to characterise the mass ratio. Our results provide a further insight into three-body orbits studied previously.     

Frequency analysis of the stability of asteroids in the framework of the restricted three-body problem

The stability of some asteroids, in the framework of the restricted three-body problem, has been recently proved in (Celletti and Chierchia, 2003), by developing an isoenergetic KAM theorem. More precisely, having fixed a level of energy related to the motion of the asteroid, the stability can be obtained by showing the existence of nearby trapping invariant tori existing at the same energy level. The analytical results are compatible with the astronomical observations, since the theorem is valid for the realistic mass-ratio of the primaries. The model adopted in (Celletti and Chierchia, 2003), is the planar, circular, restricted three-body model, in which only the most significant contributions of the Fourier development of the perturbation are retained. In this paper we investigate numerically the stability of the same asteroids considered in (Celletti and Chierchia, 2003), (namely, Iris, Victoria and Renzia). In particular, we implement the nowadays standard method of frequency-map analysis and we compare our investigation with the analytical results on the planar, circular model with the truncated perturbing function. By means of frequency analysis, we study the behaviour of the bounding tori and henceforth we infer stability properties on the dynamics of the asteroids. In order to test the validity of the truncated Hamiltonian, we consider also the complete expression of the perturbing function on which we perform again frequency analysis. We investigate also more realistic models, taking into account the eccentricity of the trajectory of Jupiter (planar-elliptic problem) or the relative inclination of the orbits (circular-inclined model). We did not find a relevant discrepancy among the different models.     

含辐射和扁率的圆型限制性三体问题的轨道稳定性研究

基于最小二乘法原理的速度因子方法是保流形结构算法中效率最高、稳定性最好、应用最广的方法.利用速度因子方法讨论了主星为辐射源,伴星为扁球的平面圆型限制性三体问题的稳定性问题.数值研究表明:(1)仅考虑扁状摄动项时,系统混沌运动的轨道数量会增多;(2)仅考虑辐射项时,系统有序运动的轨道数量会增多;(3)同时存在辐射和扁状摄动时,辐射占主导作用,系统有序运动的几率会增加.     

Quaternions and the perturbed Kepler problem

Quaternions, introduced by Hamilton (Philos. Mag. 25, 489–495, 1844) as a generalization of complex numbers, lead to a remarkably simple representation of the perturbed three-dimensional Kepler problem as a perturbed harmonic oscillator. The paper gives an overview of this technique, including an outlook to applications in perturbation theories.