Stability of the Trojan Points in the Four-Body Problem.

Hans B. Schechter, W. C. Hollis

ResearchPublished 1964

A discussion of the stability of the Trojan points in the four-body problem with applications to the recent discovery by K. Kordelewsky of possible dust clouds orbiting the earth in relatively stable position. The effect of solar-radiation pressure is investigated. The study concludes that the stable properties commonly associated with the Trojan points of the three-body problem do not apply to the Sun-Moon-Earth-object problem, for the effect of the Sun cannot be considered as a small perturbation. The analysis concludes that the Sun would cause large excursions; it makes the Kordelewsky concept of permanent dust clouds at the Trojan points highly improbable.

Document Details

  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Web Only
  • Year: 1964
  • Pages: 114
  • Document Number: RM-3992-PR

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Schechter, Hans B. and W. C. Hollis, Stability of the Trojan Points in the Four-Body Problem. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1964. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_memoranda/RM3992.html.
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