Further studies on criteria for the onset of dynamical instability in general three-body systems

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (44) References (10) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Further studies on criteria for the onset of dynamical instability ingeneral three-body systems. Pendleton, Y. J. ; Black, D. C. Abstract Numerical experiments designed for the elucidation of the conditions under which self-gravitating, three-body systems become dynamically unstable are examined of the cases of four orbital configuration types: circular, prograde, and coplanar; circular, retrograde, and coplanar; circular, direct, and inclined; and eccentric, direct, and coplanar. Results indicate that orbital inclination does not significantly affect stability in 'outer planet' configurations, while the stability of 'inner planet' configurations, where the tertiary is in close orbit about one member of the binary, is markedly less affected, once the relative orbital inclination is greater than 50 deg. It is found that the onset of dynamical instability is only weakly dependent on the eccentricity of either the binary or tertiary orbit, as long as the mass of the tertiary is comparable to the reduced mass of the binary. Publication: The Astronomical Journal Pub Date: September 1983 DOI: 10.1086/113430 Bibcode: 1983AJ.....88.1415P Keywords: Celestial Mechanics; Dynamic Stability; Orbit Perturbation; Orbital Mechanics; Three Body Problem; Circular Orbits; Eccentric Orbits; Orbital Elements; Systems Stability; Astronomy; Three-Body Problem:Stability full text sources ADS |