Asymptotic solutions in the many-body problem

A three-body problem is considered in which two masses, forming a close binary, orbit a comparatively distant mass. An asymptotic solution of this problem is presented, where the small parameter is related to the distance separating the binary and the remaining mass. Accepting certain model constraints, this solution is accurate within a constant errorO(¹¹) and uniformly valid for time intervalsO(^–3). Two specific examples are chosen to verify the literal solution: one relating to the Sun-Earth-Moon configuration of the solar system, the other to an idealized stellar system where the three masses are in the ratio 20:1:1. In both cases close agreement is found when the analytical solution is compared with an equivalent numerically-generated orbit.