Stability and Chaos in Celestial Mechanics

This overview of classical celestial mechanics focuses the interplay with dynamical systems. Paradigmatic models introduce key concepts - order, chaos, invariant curves and cantori - followed by the investigation of dynamical systems with numerical methods.

The last decades have marked the beginning of a new era in Celestial Mech- ics. The challenges came from several di?erent directions. The stability theory of nearly integrable systems (a class of problems which includes many models of - lestial Mechanics) pro?ted from the breakthrough represented by the Kolmogorov Arnold Moser theory, which also provides tools for determining explicitly the - rameter values allowing for stability. A con?nement of the actions for exponential times was guaranteed by Nekhoroshev s theorem, which gives much information about the geography of the resonances. Performing ever-faster computer simu- tionsallowedustohavedeeperinsightsintomanyquestionsofDynamicalSystems, most notably chaos theory. In this context several techniques have been developed to distinguish between ordered and chaotic behaviors. Modern tools for computing spacecraft trajectories made possible the realization of many space missions, es- cially the interplanetary tours, which gave a new shape to the solar system with a lot of new satellites and small bodies. Finally, the improvement of observational techniques allowed us to make two revolutions in the sky: the solar system does not end with Pluto, but it extends to the Kuiper belt, and the solar system is not unique, but the universe has plenty of extrasolar planetary systems. Cookingalltheseingredientstogetherwiththeclassicaltheoriesdevelopedfrom the 17th to the 19th centuries, one obtains themodern Celestial Mechanics.

Provides a comprehensive survey of the tools of celestial mechanics from classical theories to modern methods Presents a variety of useful computer assisted techniques with practical examples of applications Demonstrates the interplay between classical celestial mechanics and the modern tools of dynamical systems Gives useful examples for the constructive implementation of perturbation theory Investigates the regular and chaotic behavior of the trajectories of planets, spacecraft orbits, and rotation of satellites Will be used for teaching and research in space exploration

Klappentext

This book presents classical celestial mechanics and its interplay with dynamical systems in a way suitable for advance level undergraduate students as well as postgraduate students and researchers. First paradigmatic models are used to introduce the reader to the concepts of order, chaos, invariant curves, cantori. Next the main numerical methods to investigate a dynamical system are presented. Then the author reviews the classical two-body problem and proceeds to explore the three-body model in order to investigate orbital resonances and Lagrange solutions. In rotational dynamics the author details the derivation of the rigid body motion, and continues by discussing related topics, from spin-orbit resonances to dumbbell satellite dynamics. Perturbation theory is then explored in full detail including practical examples of its application to finding periodic orbits, computation of the libration in longitude of the Moon. The main ideas of KAM theory are provided including a presentation of long-term stability and converse KAM results. Celletti then explains the implementation of computer-assisted techniques, which allow the user to obtain rigorous results in good agreement with the astronomical expectations. Finally the study of collisions in the solar system is approached. TOC:Preface.- Acknowledgements.- Chapter 1 Order and chaos.- Chapter 2 Numerical dynamical methods.- Chapter 3 Kepler's problem.- Chapter 4 The Three-body problem and the Lagrangian solutions.- Chapter 5 Rotational dynamics.- Chapter 6 Perturbation theory.- Chapter 7 Invariant tori.- Chapter 8 Long-time stability.- Chapter 9 Determination of periodic orbits.- Chapter 10 Regularization theory.- Appendices.- Bibliography.- Index.

Inhalt
Order and chaos.- Numerical dynamical methods.- Kepler's problem.- The three-body problem and the Lagrangian solutions.- Rotational dynamics.- Perturbation theory.- Invariant tori.- Long-time stability.- Determination of periodic orbits.- Regularization theory.