The external form and potential of tidally distorted configurations of arbitrary density: Third-order approximation

Abstract

Clairaut's theory of tidally distorted self-gravitating configurations of arbitrary structure, previously developed by Kopal (1960, 1978) to quantities of second order in superficial distortion, has now been extended to terms of third order. Differential equations governing the form and exterior potential of tidally distorted stars have been set up as ordinary differential equations by Kopal's method.