Periodic orbits in the Chermnykh problem

Abstract

Periodic orbits in irregular gravitational fields are significant for an understanding of dynamical behaviors around asteroids as well as the engineering aspect for deep space explorations. The rotating mass dipole, referred to as the Chermnykh problem, is a good alternative model to study qualitative dynamical environments near elongated asteroids, like the asteroid 1620 Geographos, 216 Kleopatra, or 25143 Itokawa. In this paper a global searching method is adopted to search for periodic orbits around the dipole model based on the concept of Poincare section of surface. Representative families of periodic orbits are illustrated with respect to all three topological cases of the dipole model. Topological transitions of orbits during iso-energetic continuations are also presented as well as identification of new types of periodic orbits.