ρ-Libration point in the three body problem

Abstract

Herein, the restricted circular three-body problem in homogeneous and inhomogeneous media is considered. Particular attention is paid to libration points. The conditions of their existence or non-existence in the Newtonian and post-Newtonian approximations of the general theory of relativity are derived. Several regularities, new Newtonian and relativistic effects arising due to the impact of the additional relativistic forces on bodies of gravitational fields of mediums in the differential equations of the motion of bodies are indicated. Using the previously derived equations of the motion of two bodies A1, A2 in the medium, the authors substantiated the following statements. In a homogeneous medium (density of the medium ρ = const) in the Newtonian approximation of the general theory of relativity there are ρ-libration points , 1,...,5, moving along the same circles as the Euler and Lagrangian libration points Li but with an angular velocity 0 , greater than the angular velocity ω0 of libration points Li in a vacuum. Bodies A1, A2 also move along their circles with an angular velocity 0 > w When passing from the Newtonian approximation of the general theory of relativity to the post-Newtonian approximation of the general theory of relativity, the centre of mass of two bodies, resting in a homogeneous medium in the Newtonian approximation of the general theory of relativity, must move along a cycloid. The trajectories of the bodies can not be circles, the libration points Li disappear. In the case of an inhomogeneous medium distributed, for example, spherically symmetrically, the centre of mass of two bodies, already in the Newtonian approximation of the general theory of relativity, must move along the cycloid, despite it was at rest in the void. Therefore, bodies A1, A2 must describe loops that form, figuratively speaking, a «lace», as in the case of a homogeneous medium in the post-Newtonian approximation of the general theory of relativity. The figure illustrating the situation is provided. Due to the existence of the «lace» effect, the libration point Li movements are destroyed. In the special case, when the masses of bodies A1, A2 are equal (m1 = m2), the cycloids disappear and all the ρ-libration points exist in homogeneous and inhomogeneous media in the Newtonian and post-Newtonian approximations of the general theory of relativity. Numerical estimates of the predicted patterns and effects in the Solar and other planetary systems, interstellar and intergalactic mediums are carried out. For example, displacements associated with these effects, such as the displacement of the centre of mass, can reach many billions of kilometres per revolution of the two-body system. The possible role of these regularities and effects in the theories of the evolution of planetary systems, galaxies, and their ensembles is discussed. A brief review of the studies carried out by the Belarusian scientific school on the problem of the motion of bodies in media in the general theory of relativity is given.