A simple existence proof of Schubart periodic orbit with arbitrary masses

Abstract

This paper gives an analytic existence proof of the Schubart periodic orbit with arbitrary masses, a periodic orbit with singularities in the collinear three-body problem. A “turning point” technique is introduced to exclude the possibility of extra collisions and the existence of this orbit follows by a continuity argument on differential equations generated by the regularized Hamiltonian.

Keywords

Celestial mechanics / Schubart periodic orbit / three-body problem / binary collision / periodic solution with singularity / regularization

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