The Sitnikov problem for manev type potentials

Date

2003

Authors

Verjinschi, Bogdan

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Abstract

This thesis focuses on how the Sitnikov problem changes if the classical Newto­nian potential is replaced by a relativist potential of the Manev type. Considering initially the movement of the two primaries only, we study how replacing the poten­tial will affect their trajectories. We establish the condition for closed trajectories for the movement of the primaries. The Sitnikov problem for Manev-type poten­tial is a relativistic perturbation of the classical Newtonian potential, a particular case of the Manev three-body problem with two primaries moving on precessional ellipses and a third negligible mass that oscillates on an axis passing through their centre of mass, perpendicularly to their plane of motion. We use Melnikov's theory to prove the existence of transverse homoclinic orbits for at least a discrete set of initial conditions, showing that in those cases the motion is very complicated, thus extending a result obtained by Dankowikz and Holmes in the classical Newtonian case.

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