Non-Collision Singularities in the Planar Two-Center-Two-Body Problem

Abstract

In this paper, we study a model of simplified four-body problem called planar two-center-two-body problem. In the plane, we have two fixed centers $Q_1=(-\chi,0)$, $Q_2=(0,0)$ of masses 1, and two moving bodies $Q_3$ and $Q_4$ of masses $\mu\ll 1$. They interact via Newtonian potential. $Q_3$ is captured by $Q_2$, and $Q_4$ travels back and forth between two centers. Based on a model of Gerver, we prove that there is a Cantor set of initial conditions which lead to solutions of the Hamiltonian system whose velocities are accelerated to infinity within finite time avoiding all early collisions. We consider this model as a simplified model for the planar four-body problem case of the Painlev\'{e} conjecture.