Applications of lagrangian coherent structures to expression of invariant manifolds in astrodynamics

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationship between invariant manifold and Lagrangian coherent structure (LCS) in dynamical systems. LCS is defined as the ridge of finite-time Lyapunov exponent (FTLE) field, and is proving to be excellent platform for studies of stable and unstable manifold in flows with arbitrary time dependence. In this study, the LCS tool is applied to autonomous systems, simple pendulum and planar circular restricted three-body problem (PCR3BP), and also non-autonomous ones, double-gyre flow and bicircular problem (BCP). A comparison between LCS and invariant manifold is presented.