Satellite capture and the restricted three-body problem
This is a general numerical study of satellite capture in the gravitational palnar restricted three-body problem. The initial motivation is a desire to understand the probable capture origin of the irregular Jovian satellites. The scope is broadened in order to developed a foundation for understanding gravitational capture in general. The two most important parameters are the mass ratio {mu} and the primary eccentricity e{sub p}. Each is varied separately, in order to isolate effects on capture by the smaller mass from the larger mass. The main results are summarized as follows: (1) In C{sub 0}-x{sub 0} space, the capture time is an exceeding complex function. (2) The complexity is due to an infinite number of periodic orbit families. (3) The capture time is intimately connected to the periodic orbit families. (4) The structure of the periodic orbit families in the C{sub 0}-x{sub 0} plane is self-similar, indicating that it is fractal. (5) The C{sub 0}-x{sub 0} structure is very sensitive to e{sub p}. (6) There are two well-defined distributions in semimajor axis/eccentricity space of orbits around m{sub 1} (the more massive primary) that get capture by m{sub 2}. The changes in a and e of these distributions are shown as a function of {mu} and of e{sub p}. (7) Capture into retrograde motion is much less probable than capture into prograde motion. (8) There is no distinction in semimajor axis, eccentricity, or orbit orientation between prograde and retrograde capture. (9) Capture occurs near primary pericenter. (10) For the current Jupiter-Sun system, capture occurs for heliocentric elements a {approx} 3.74-4.06 AU, and e {approx} 0.06-0.29.
- Research Organization:
- Wisconsin Univ., Madison, WI (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5179211
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
GENERAL PHYSICS
JUPITER PLANET
SATELLITES
CAPTURE
EQUATIONS OF MOTION
FRACTALS
GRAVITATIONAL INTERACTIONS
MASS
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS
ORBITS
ORIGIN
SOLAR SYSTEM
SUN
THREE-BODY PROBLEM
BASIC INTERACTIONS
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS
INTERACTIONS
MAIN SEQUENCE STARS
MANY-BODY PROBLEM
MATHEMATICS
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
PLANETS
STARS
640107* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Planetary Phenomena