The motion of a body with a plane of symmetry over a three-dimensional sphere under the action of a spherical analogue of Newtonian gravitation

Abstract

The problem of the motion of a rigid body possessing a plane of symmetry over the surface of a three-dimensional sphere under the action of a spherical analogue of Newtonian gravitation forces is considered. Approaches to introducing spherical analogues of the concepts of centre of mass and centre of gravity are discussed. The spherical analogue of “satellite approach” in the problem of the motion of a rigid body in a central field, which arises on the assumption that the dimensions of the body are small compared with the distance to the gravitating centre, is studied. Within the framework of satellite approach, assuming plane motion of the body, the question of the existence and stability of steady motions is investigated. A spherical analogue of the equation of the plane oscillations of a body in an elliptic orbit is derived.