Trajectories of bodies in zones of rapidly decaying triple systems

The general three-body problem with equal masses and zero initial velocities is considered. Zones in which the triple systems decay over short times T < 10T _cr are distinguished in the domain of the initial conditions, where T _cr is the mean crossing time for a component of the triple system. These zones form distinct families of structures. Properties of the trajectories of bodies within these structures are described. The structures often display a layered character, with each layer corresponding to triple systems in which a particular body departs during the decay. These layers alternate with zones in which the decay does not occur on such short time scales, and the bodies are flung outward without this leading to a departure, or undergo simple interactions. In the zones of rapid decay, the departure of one of the bodies occurs after one or a few triple encounters between the components.