69. .

4 60S

THE ASTRONOMICAL JOURNAL VOLUME 69, NUMBER 7 SEPTEMBER 1964

1964AJ

Collinear Libration Points

Victor Szebehely and Carol A. Williams
Yale University Observatory, New Haven, Connecticut
(Received 18 June 1964)
Tables showing pertinent information regarding equilibrium points of the restricted problem of three bodies
are presented. The location of these points, the values of the associated Jacobian constants, and the second
partial derivatives of the Jacobian function at these points are evaluated. The results are tabulated in terms
of the conventional mass parameter p of the restricted problem. The values of p occurring in the solar system
are given special attention. The results are presented in graphs and several special features are analyzed.
New applications of these tables to problems in cosmogony, stellar dynamics, and space sciences are pointed
out, and three new properties of the Jacobian function are derived.

INTRODUCTION Table la {continued)

SINCE Lagrange’s discovery in 1772 of the particular
solutions of the problem of three bodies named after
him, no other solutions have been found which can be
expressed in closed form. The Lagrangian solutions are 0.100000 -1.259700 3.556684 6.013487 -1.506743
also applicable to the restricted problem of three 0.110000 -1.262958 3.579312 5.928541 -Î.464271
0.120000
0.130000 -1.265570
-1.267624 3.599958 5.846649
5.773097 -1.424324
bodies and the above mentioned nonexistence of other 0.140000 -1-1.270334
.269193 3.618825
3.636081 5.701329 -1.386548
-1.350664
0.150C00
0.160000 -1.271094 3.651868
3.666304 5.632696 -1.316448
-1.283713
closed form solutions has been established. 0.170000 -1.271514 3.679492 5.567426
5.504607 -1.252304
The only other exact result which exists in the realm 0.180000
0.190000 -1.271628 3.691520
3.702464 5.444183
5.385929 -1.222092
-1.192964
-1.271465
of the restricted problem is the Jacobian integral. The
discovery of the only known integral of the restricted 0,200000
0.210000 -1.271049 3.712393
3.721367 5.329658
5.275205 -1.164829
-1.137603
0.220000 -1.270402
-1.269544 3.729438 5.222429 -!.111214
problem by Jacobi in 1836 seems to be just as singular 0.230000
0.240000 -1.268491
-1-1.265858
.267258 3.736655
3.743060 5.17120?
5.121416 -1.085601
-1.060708
0.250000 3.748694 5.072973 -1.036487
-1.012891
0.260000
0.270000 -1.264303
-1.262605 3.753590 5.025781
4.979769 -0.989884
0.280000 -1.260771 3.757782
3.761299 4.934859 -0.967430
Table la 0.290000 -1.258812 3.764167 4.890992 -0.945496
0.300000
0.310000 -1.256735 3.766413 4.848108
4.806157 -0.924054
-0.903079
/dKl\ /W 0.320000 -1.254547
-1.252255 3.768058
3.769125 4.765086 -0.862543
Ci 2)
0,330000 -1.249865 3.769632 4.724857 -0.862428
\dx2 ) xi Vdy , 0.340000 -1.247382 3.769599 4.685425
4.646754 -0.842712
-0*823377
<5yy*i 0.350000
0.360000 -1.244813
-1.242161 3.769042
3.767978 4.60881 ? -0.804406
0.370000 -1.239431 3.766422 4.571563 -0.785782
-0.767491
0.000001 -1.006949 3.000429 8.917590 -2.958795 0.380000 -1.236627 3.764387
3.761887 4.534981
4.499038 -0.749519
0.000002 -1.008759 3.000679 8.896531 -2.948266 0.390000 -1.233754
0.000003 -1.010030 3.000889
3.001075 8.881635
8.855129 -2.940818
-2.927565
0.000004
0.000005 -1.011043
-1.011896 3.001247 8.860086 -2.930043 0.400000 -1.230814 3.758934 4.463708 -0.731854
0.000006 -1.012646 3.00W07 8.851342 -2.925671 0.410000 -1.227811 3.755541 4.428967 -0.714483
0.000007 -1.013315 3.001557 8.843640 -2.921820 0.420000
0.430000 -1.224748 3.751717
3.747474 4.394792
4.361165 -0.697396
-0.680582
0.000008 -1.013923 3.001701 8.829282 -2.914641 0.440000 -1.221628
-1.218453 3.742822 4.328066 -0.664033
0.000009 -1.014482 3.001839 8.823639 -2.911620 0.450000 -1.215228 3.737769 4.295473 -0.647736
0.460000 -1.211953 3.732324
3.726497 4.263372
4.231748 -0.631686
-0.615874
0.000010 -1.015002 3.001971 8.824278 -2.912139 0.470000
0.480000 -1.208631
-1.205265 3.720295 4.200581 -0.600291
0.000020 -1.018918 3.003115
3.004067 8.779636 -2.889818
-2.874328 0.490000 -1.201856 3.713726 4.169862 -0.584931
0.000030
0.000040 -1.021668
-1.023859 3.004914 8.748656
8.722614 -2.861307 0.500000 -1.198406 3.706796 4.139574 -0.569787
0.000050
0.000060 -1.025709
-1.027328 3.005689
3.006412 8.702261
8.685417 -2.851130
-2.842708
0.000070
0.000080 -1.028775
-1.030091 3.007093 8.669482
8.654976 -2.834741
-2.827488
0.000090 -1.031301 3.007740
3.008360 8.641684 -2.820842 an accomplishment as Lagrange’s discovery of ^the
0.000100 -1.032425 3.008956 8.628729 -2.814365
-2.768817 only known closed-form exact solutions. The relation
0.000200 -1.040890 3.014066 8.537634.
0.000300
0.000400 -1.046826
-1.051547 3.018293
3.022027 8.474332
8.424562 -2.737166
-2.712281 between the two fundamental contributions is that the
0.000500 -1.055529 3.025429
3.028587 8.382767
8.346734 -2.691383
-2.673367 Lagrangian solutions are the singular points of the
0.000600
0,000700 -1.059005
-1.062110 3.031553 8.314650 -2.657325
0.000800 -1.064928 3.034364 8.285660 -2.642830 function representing the Jacobian integral. Therefore
0.000900 -1.067516 3.037044 8.259076 -2.629538
the significance of Lagrange’s discovery is that it was
0.001000
0,002000 -1.069916
-1.087864 3.039614
3.061377 8.234592 .617296
.526850 made prior to Jacobi’s work.
0.003000 -1.100285 3.079039 8.053700
7.930238 .465119
0.004000 -1.110047 3.094410 7.833806 .416903 The five singular points of the above function are
0.005000 -1.118189 3.108239 7.753583 .376791
.342133 called equilibrium points, Lagrangian points, libration
0.006000
0.007000 -1.125221
-1.131436 3.120928
3.132727 7.684265
7.622897 .311446
0.008000 -1.137021 3.143801 7.567588 .283794 points, and most frequently are referred to as the
0.009000 -1.142100 3.154269 7.517113 .258556
equidistant (equilateral, triangular) and the collinear
0.010000 -1.146765 3.164219 7.470554 -2.235277 (straight line) solutions of the restricted problem.
0.020000
0.030000 -1.180078
-1.201191 3.245333
3.307195 7.128201
6.895040 -2.064101
-1.947520
0.040000
0.050000 -1.216430 3.358217
3.401894 6.712421
6.559768 -1.856210
-1.779884 Inasmuch as these points are the singular points of
0,060000 -1.228094
-1.237309 3.440107 6.427247 -1.713624
0.070000 -1.244727 3.474017 6.309297 -1.654648 the Jacobian function, they play an important role in
0.080000
0.090000 -1.250758 3.504403 6.202445
6.104390 -1.601223
-1.552195 any analysis related to the Jacobian integral.
-1.255683 3.531821
The location of the equilateral points presents _no
460

© American Astronomical Society • Provided by the NASA Astrophysics Data System

69. . 4 60S

COLLINEAR LIBRATION POINTS 461

problem either in principle or in practice while the Table lb (continued)

1964AJ

determination of the location of the collinear points

requires the solution of the fifth-order algebraic equa- /dKlX fdKA
X‘¿
tion. Other properties of the Jacobian function are W/* \df)x
then to be determined at these singular points. This
fact does represent some problems in practice, even 0.100000
0.110000 -0.609035 3.686953
3.722189 14.168847
14.354648 -5.584424
0.120000 -0.590286
-0.572049 3.755357 14.528105 -5.677324
-5.764052
though none in principle. 0.130000 -0.554250 3.786659 14.690616 -5.845308
0.1^0000 -0.536830 3.816262 14.843316
14.987134 -5.921658
-5.993567
Evaluation of the location of the collinear points 0.150000
0.160000 -0.519740
-0.502942 3.844303
3.870900 15.122845
0.170000 -0.486403 3.896153 15.251097 -6.061422
-6.125548
and of other properties of the Jacobian function is 0.180000 -0.470094 3.920148 15.372447 -6.186223
dependent on the value of the mass parameter p 0.190000 -0.453992 3.942959 15.487368 -6.243684
defined as m2/(wi+W2), where mi and w2 are the 0.200000
0.210000 -0.438076
-0.422329 3.964653
3.985287 15.596277
15.699528 -6.298139
0.220000 -0.406735 4.004911 15.797441 -6.349764
-6.398720
masses of the primaries. Partial results exist in the 0.230000 -0.391281 4.023571 15.890291 -6.445145
literature regarding tabulated values of the pertinent 0.240000 -0.375954 4.041308 15.978327
16.061767 -6.489164
-6.530884
0.250000
0.260000 -0.360743
-0.345640 4.058159
4.074155 16.140810 -6.570405
quantities associated with the Jacobian function for 0.270000 -0.330634 4.089327 16.215629 -6.607815
0.280000 -0.315719
-0.300886 4.103701
4.117301 16.286386
16.353219 -6.643193
-6.676610
varying p values. There is, however, no reliable table 0.290000
in existence which covers a complete range of p. 0.300000 -0.286130 4.130149 16.416260 -6.708130
Of the better known references, we mention Wintner 0.310000
0.320000 -0.271444 4.142266 16.475625
16.531418 -6.737812
-6.765709
0.330000 -0.256822
-0.242260 4.153670
4.164376 16.583735 -6.791868
(1947, p. 366) with a table of 10 different p values, the 0.340000 -0.227752 4.174401
4.183757 16.632664 -6.816332
0.350000
0.360000 -0.213295 4.192457 16.678284
16.720664 •-6.839142
corresponding locations and second derivatives. In 0.370000 -0.198883
-0.184513 4.200512 16.759869 -6.860332
-6.879934
fact this table was taken over by Wintner from Rosen- 0.380000
0.390000 -0.170181
-0.155884 4.207934
4.214729 16.795956
16.828979 -6.897978
-6.914490
thal (1931) with a slight correction and with an errone-
0.400000 -0.141618 4.220908 16.858983 -6.929492
ous reference (Wintner 1947, p. 438). Charlier (1907, 0.410000
0.420000 -0.127379 4.226478
4.231444 16.886011
16.910100 -6.943006
-6.955050
0.430000 -0.113165
-0.098973 4.235813 16.931281 -6.965640
pp. 115ff and p. 102), in an extensive study of the 0.440000 -0.084800 4.239589 16.949582 -6.974791
Jacobian function, also offers small tables. The most 0.450000
0.460000 -0.070643 4.242777
4.245381 16.965029
16.977640 -6.982514
0.470000 -0.056498
-0.042365 4.247404 16.987432 -6.988820
-6.993716
recent tables, used in connection with studies of close 0.480000 -0.028239 4.248846 16.994417 -6.997208
0.490000
0.500000 -0.014118
-0.000000 4.249712
4.250000 16.998605
17.000001 -6.999302
-7.000001
binary star systems, are given by Kuiper (1941),
Kopal (1954 and 1956), Kuiper and Johnson (1956),

Table lb and Abhyanbar (1959). Goudas (1963) presents results

of computations of the locations in graphical form.
<dKl\ The main purpose of this paper is to offer tabulated
C2 numerical results and point out new possible appli-
\dX2/ x2 W/x cations. The secondary purpose is to prove several new
0.000003 -0.993081 3.000430 9.083936 -3.041968 properties of the collinear libration points.
0.000002 -0,991288 3.000682 9.106006 -3.053003
-3.060781
0.000003 -0.990030
-0.989030 3.000893
3.001081 9.121562
9.118808 -3.059404
0.000004
0.000005 -0.988186 3.001253 9.144487 -3.072243
O.OOOOOfc -0.987448 3.001414 9.153704 -3.076852 DEFINITIONS
0.000007 -0.986788 3.001567 9.161956
9.161830 -3.080978
-3.080915
0.000006 -0.986189
-0.985638 3.001712 9.169586 -3.084793
0.000009 3.001851 We use the conventional synodic Cartesian rec-
O.OOCOIO -0.985127 3.001985 9.182801 -3.091401 tangular system in which the primaries of masses
0.000020 -0.981278 3.003141 9.231478 -3.115739
-3.132957 1—p and p are located at Pi(pfi) and P2(ju—1, 0) and
0.000030 -0.978581 3.004107
3.004967 9.265913
9.291955 -3.145978
0.000040
0.000050 -0.976436 3.005756 9.315665 -3.157833
0.000060 -0.974625
-0.973043 3.006492 9.337447 -3.168724 the “third body” with infinitesimal mass is at P(x,y).
O.OOOOTO -0.971629 3.007186
3.007847 9.355884
9.372697 -3.177942
-3.186348 The libration points, Li(#i,0), L2(x2,0), Z,3(#3,0),
0.000080 -0.970344
-0.969162 3.008480 9.388212 -3.194106
0.000090
P*(ß~h 2^S)i and L^p—^y — |v3) are shown on Fig. 1.
0.00010C -0.968065 3.009089 9.402025
9.512645 -3.201013
-3.256323 The equations of motion using nondimensional
0.000200 -0.959805 3.014333
3.018693 9.591104 -3.295552
0.000300
0.000400 -0.954010
-0.949393 3.022560 9,654317 -3.327158 variables are
0.000500 -0.945489 3.026096 9.708087 -3.354044
0.000600 -0.942074 3.029387
3.032487 9.755725
9.798508 -3.377862
-3.399254 x—2y—d£l/dx (1)
0.000700
0.000800 -0.939015
-0.936232 3.035431 9.837637 -3.418818
0.000900 -0.933670 3.038245 9.873762 -3.436881 and
0.001000 -0.931287 3.040948 9.907557 -3.453779 y+2x=dti/dy, (2)
0.002000 -0.913219
-0.900374 3.064044 10.167492
10.355378 -3.583746
-3.677689
0.003000 -0.890018 3.083040
3.099743 10.508126 -3.754063
0.004000
0.005000 -0.881168 3.114904 10.639294 -3.819647 where the Jacobian function is given by
0.006000 -0.873344 3.128926 10.755504
10.860630 -3.877752
-3.930315
0.007000 -0.866270
-0.859774 3.142056
3.154462 10.957123 -3.978561
0.00800«
C.009000 -0.853738 3.166261 11.046684 -4.023342 ß=
i[(l""M)^i2+M^22]H \—-• (3)
C.OIOOOO -0.848079 3.3.271926
Ï77541 11.130493 -4.065247 ri f2
C.020000 -0.803466 11.780730 -4.390365
-4.627081
0.030000
0.040000 -0.769643
-0.740910 3.346998
3.411164 12.254163
12.638935 -4.819467
0.050000 -0.715225 3.467916 12.967822
13.257238 -4.983911
-5.128619 The distances ri and r2 can be written down by in-
0.060000 -0.691600
-0.669469 3.519133
3.565971 13.516773 -5.258387
0.070000
0.080000 -0.648479 3.609208 13.752591 -5.376296 spection ;
0.090000 -0.628391 3.649398 13.968927 —5.484464
ri2= (x—p)2-{-y2, r£= (x—p+\)2+y2. (4)

© American Astronomical Society • Provided by the NASA Astrophysics Data System

69. . 4 60S

462 V. SZEBEHELY AND C. A. WILLIAMS

Y Table Ic {continued)
1964AJ

M Cz

0.100000
0.110000 1.041609
1.045756 3.189578
3.207361 3.183385
7.207692 -0.091692
-0.101346
0.120000 ].049899 3.224925 3.222186 -0.111093
-0.120935
0.13C00C
0.140000 1 .054037
1.058171 3.242268
3.259387 3.241870
3.261746 -0.130873
0.150000 1.062299 3.276282 3.281816 -0.140908
-0.151042
0.160000 1.066421 3.292951
3.309391 3.302085
3.322555 -0.161277
0.170000
0.180000 1.070536
1.074645 3.325600 3.343230 -0.171615
0.190000 1.078746 3.341577 3.364111 -0.182056
0.200000 1.082839 3.357320 3.385205 -0.192602
-0.203256
0.210000
0.220000 1.086924
1.091000 3.372826
3.388094 3.406512
3.428039 -0.214020
0.230000 1.095066 3.403120 3.449787 -0.224894
-0.235881
0.240000 1.099122
1.103167 3.417904
3.432441 3.471762
3.493967 -0.246983
0.250000
0.260000 1.107200 3.446730 3.516406 -0.258203
0.270000 1.111221
1.115230 3.460768
3.474653 3.539084
3.562004 -0.269542
-0.281002
0.280000
0,290000 1.119225 3.488081 3.585172 -0.292586
0.300000 1.123206 3.501350 3.608594 -0.304297
-0.316137
Fig. 1. Synodic coordinate system showing the primaries 0.310000 1.127171 3.514357 3.632274 -0.328108
0.320000
0.330000 1.131121
1.135054 3.527099
3.539572 3.656215
3.680426 -0.340213
(jP\fP2)j the collinear points (Li,L2,Lz) and the equilateral points 0.340000 1.138970 3.551774 3.704910 -0.352455
{LijLs) for /Lt^.5. 0.350000 1.142867 3.563700 3.729674 -0.364837
0.360000 1.146745 3.575348 3.754724 -0.377362
-0.390033
0.370000
0.380000 1.150603
1.154440 3.586713
3.597793 3.780066
3.805707 -0.402854
0.390000 1.158254 3.608582 3.831655 -0.415827
The Jacobian integral is 0.400000 1.162045 3.619076 3.857914 -0.428957
0.410000 1.165812 3.629273 3.884495 -0.442247
-0.455702
0.420000
0.430000 1.169553
1.173268 3.639166
3.648751 3.911403
3.938650 -0.469325
x2+ÿ2=2Ü-C, (5) 0.440000 1.176954 3.658024 3.966240 -0.483120
0.450000 1.180611 3.666979 3.994184 -0.497092
-Ö.511247
0.460000
0.470000 1.184238 3.675611 4.022493
4.051175 -0.525588
where C is the Jacobian constant. The zero velocity 0.480000 1.187832
1.191392 3.683915
3.691884 4.080244 -0.540122
0.490000 1.194918 3.699513 4.109705
4.139573 -0.554852
-0.569787
curves are the level curves of the Jacobian function 0.500000 1.198406 3.706796

Table Ic and are defined by the equation

/a\i\ /, 2ß=C. (6)
A3 c3
Vôry*. \ The equilibrium points of the dynamical system are
defined by zero right-hand sides of Eqs. (1) and (2),
0.000001 1.000000 3.000002 3.000002 -0.000001 i.e., by
0.000002 1.000001 3.000004 3.000004 -0.000002
-0.000003
0.000003 1.000001 3.000006
3.000008 3.000006
3.000007 -0.000004 dti/dx=Q} dtt/dy=Q. (7)
0.000004
0.000005 1.000002
1.000002 3.000010 3.000009 -0.000005
0.000006 1.000002 3.000012 3.000011 -0.000005
-0.000007
0.000007 1.000003
1.000003 3.000014
3.000016 3.000013
3.000014 -0.000007 The singular points of the Jacobian function
0.000008
0,000009 1.000004 3.000018 3.000016 -0.000008 of course, can be computed from the same equations,
0.000010 1.000004 3.000020 3.000018 -0.000009 while the singular points of the function F(xyy,x,y)
0,000020 1.000008 3.000040 3.000035 -0.000018
O,:d00030
.0*050040 1.000012
1.000017
3.000060
3.000080 3.000053
3.000070 -0.000026
-0.000035 ~x2-\-y2—2Q-{-C are d£2/d:r=0, dQ/dy=0, 2=0, and
ÖiCL00050 1.000021 3.000100 3.000088
3.000105 -0.000044
-0.000053
0*000060
0.000070 1.000025
1.000029 3.000120
3.000140 3.000123 -0.000062
0.000080 1.000033
I.OOOO37 3.000160
3.000180 3.000141
3.000158 -0.000070
-0.000079 Table Ha
0.000090
0.000100 1.000042 3.000200 3.000175 -0.000088
-0.000175
.0.000200 1.000083 3.000400
3.000600 3.000351
3.000525 -0.000263
. 0.000300
0.000400
0.000500
1.000125
1.000167
1.000208
3.000800
3.001000 3.000701
3.000875
-0.000350
-0.000438
0.000600 1.000250 3.001199 3.001051 -0.000525
-0.000613
0.000700
0.000800 1.000292
1.000333 3.001399
3.001599 3.001226
3.001401 -0.000700
0.000900 1.000375 3.001799 3 .001576 -0.000788 o.onooo -1.151081 3.173720
3.174647 7.427263
7.423093 -Î.*13632
-2.211547
0.011100
0.011200 -1.151496
-1.151907 3.175571 7.418955 -2.209478
0.001000 1.000417 3.001999 3.001751 -0.000876 0.011300 -1.152316 3.176490 7.414843 -2.207422
-2.205377
0.002000 1.000833 3.003996 3.003503 -0.001752 0.011400 -1.152722 3.177406
3.178318 7.410753
7.406678 -2.203339
0.003000 1.001250 3.005991 3.005258 -0.002629
-0.003507 0.011500 -1.153125
-1.153525 3.179227 7.402650 -2.201325
0.004000 1.001667 3.007984 3.007013 -0.004385 0.011600
0.011700 -1.153923 3.180131 7.398641 -2.199321
0,005000
0.006000 1.002083
1.002500 3.009974
3.011963 3.008770
3.010529 -0.005265 0.011800 -1.154318 3.181033 7.394650 -2.197325
0.007000 1.002917 3.013950 3.012290 -0.006145 0.011900 -1.154710 3.181930 7.390676 -2.195338
0.008000 1,003333
1.003750 3.015934
3.017917 3.014052 -0.007026
-0.007908 -1.155100 3.182824 7.386739 -2*193370
0.009000 3.015816 0.012000
0.012100 -1.155487 3.183714 7.382831
7.378941 -2.191416
-2.1894TI
0.010000 1.004166 3.019898 3.017581 -0.008791 0.012200 -1.155872
-1.156254 3.184601
3.185484 7.375063 -2*187531
0.020000 ' 1.008333 3.039590 3.035324 -0.017662 0.012300
0.012400 -1.156634 3.186364 7.371223 -2.185611
0.030000
0.040000 1.012498
1.016663 3.059076
3.078353 3.053232
3.071306 -0.026616
-0.035653 0.012500 -1.157011 3.187241 7.367395 -2.183698
0.050000 1.02C826 3.097422 3.089549 -0.044775 0.012600 -1.157386 3.188114 7.363597
7.359814 -2.181799
-2,179907
0.060000 1.024988 3.116280 3.107964 -0.053982 0.012700 -1.157758 3.188984 7.356056 -2.178028
0.070000
0.080000 1.029147 3.134926 3.126552 -0.063276 0.012800
0,012900 -1.158128
-1.158496 3.189851
3.190715 7.352320 -2.176160
0.090000 1.033304
1.037458 3.153359
3.171577 3.145317
3.164260 -0.072659
-0.082130 0.013000 -1.158862 3.191575 7.348601 -2.174301

© American Astronomical Society • Provided by the NASA Astrophysics Data System

69. . 4 60S

COLLINEAR LIBRATION POINTS 463

Table lib
1964AJ

At the triangular points 2Í2 (^4,^4) = 212 (^5,3/5) = 3 and

the Jacobian constant is C4=C5=3. The independence
of this result on /x is the consequence of the definition
adopted for the Jacobian function [Eq. (3)J. [The
differential equations of motion are not affected by
0.011000 -0.842735 3.188371 11.209451 -4.104726 adding arbitrary constants to the function 12. Various
0.011100
0.011200 -0.842216 3.189432 11.217102 -4.108551
0.011300 -0.841699
-0.841186 3.190488
3.191541 11.224724 -4.112362 authors, adapting various arbitrary constants, intro-
0.011400 -0.840674 3.192589 11.232300
11.239837 -4.116150
-4.119918
0.011500 -0.840166 3.193635 11.247327 -4.123663 duce the parameter p in the value of C4 and C&, destroy-
0.011600
0.011700 -0.839659 3.194676
3.195713 11.254791 -4.127396
0.011800 -0.839156
-0.838654 3.196747 11.262211 -4.131106 ing the simplicity of the above result.]
0.011900 -0.838155 3.197778 11.269595
11.276934 -4.134797
-4.138467
0.012000 -0.837659 3.198804 11.284241 -4.142120
0.012100
0.012200 -0.837164 3.199828 11.291521 -4.145760 Table Illb
0.012300 -0.836672
-0.836182 3.200847
3.201864 11.298758 -4.149379
0.012400 -0.835695 3.202376 11.305953
11.313120 -4.152976
-4.156560
0.012500
0.012600 -0.835209 3.203886 11.320260 -4.160130 /dKA /dKt\
0.012700 -0.834726
-0.834245 3.204892 11.327359 -4.163679
0.012800 -0.833766 3.205895
3.206894 11.334424
11.341450 -4.167212 *2.] C2
0.012900 -0.833289 3.207891 11.348451 -4.170725
-4.174226 2
\dX )X2 Vdy / X2
0.013000 -0.832814 3.208884 11.355424 -4.177712
0.000900 -0.933670 3.038245 9.873762 -3.436881
0.000910 -0.933424 3.038520
3.038794 9.877316
9.880773 -3.438658
-3.440386
0.000920
0.000930 -0.933180
-0.932937 3.039066 9.884205 -3.442103
Table He 0.000940 -0.932697 3.039338 9.887615 -3.443808
-3.445467
0.000950 -0.932458
-0.932220 3.039609 9.890935
9.894370 -3.447185
0.000960
0.000970 -0.931985 3.039879
3.0401^7 9.897713 -3.448857
/ÄX /«m 0.000980 -0.931751 3.040415 9.901036
9.904338 -3.450518
-3.452169
0.000990 -0.931518 3.040682
^3 C3 0.001000 -0.931287 3.040948 9.907557 -3.453779
\d*7*s \df)x^ 0.001010 -0.931057 3.041212 .9.910817 -3.455408
0.001020
0.001030 -0.930829 3.041476
3.041739 9.914126
9.917348 -3.457063
-3.458674
0,011000 1.004583 3.021876 3.019348 -0.009674 0.001040 -0.930603
-0.930378 3.042001 9.920550 -3.460275
0.011100
0.011200 1.004625 3.022074 3.019524 -0.009762 0.001050 -0.930154 3.042262 9.923731 -3.461865
0,011300 1.004666
1.004708 3.022271
3.022469 3.019702
3.019878 -0.009851
-0.009939 0.001060 -0.929931 3.042522 9.926834 -3.463417
0.011400 1.004750 3.022667 3.020055 -0.010027 0.001070 -0.929710 3.042782 9.929984 -3.464992
0.011500 1.004792 3.022865 3.020222 -0.010116 0.001080 -0.929491 3.043040
3.043298 9.933173
9.936284 -3.466586
-3.46814?
0.011600 1.004833 3.023062 3.020409 -0.010204 0.001090
0.001100 -0.929272
-0.929055 3.043554 9.939377 -3.469689
0.011700
0.011800 1.004875
1.004916 3.023260
3.023457 3.020585 -0.010293
0.011900 1.004958 3.023655 3.020763
3.020939 -0.010381
-0.010470
0.012000 1.005000 3.023853 ,3.021116 -0.010558
0.012100
0.012200 1.005041 3.024050 3.021293 -0.010647 Table IIIc
0.012300 1.005083
1.005125 3.024247 3.021470
3.021648 -0.010735
-0.010824
0.012400 1.005166 3.024445
3.024642 3.021824 -0.010912
0.012500
0.012600 1.005208 3.024840 3.022001 -0.011001
0.012700 1.005'250
1.005291 3.025037 3.022179 -0.011089
0.012800 1.005333 3.025235
3.025432 3.022355
3.022533 -0.011178
-0.011266
0.012900
0.013000 1.005375 3.025630 3.022709 -0.011355
1.005416 3.025827 3.022887 -0.011443
0.000900
0.000910 11.000379
.000375 3.001799
3.001819 3.001576
3.001594 -0.000788
-0.000797
0.000920 1.000383
1.000387 3.001839
3.001859 3.001611
3.001629 -0.000805
-0.000814
Table Ilia 0.000930
0.000940 1.000392 3.001879 3.001646 -0.000823
0.000950
0.000960 1.000396
1.000400 3.001899
3.001919 3.001663
3.001681 -0.000832
-0.000840
0.000970 1.000404 3.001939 3.001699 -0.000849
-0.000858
0.000980 1.000408 3.001959
3.001979 3.001716
3.001733 -0.000867
0.000990 1.000412
0.001000 1.000417 3.001999 3.001751 -0.000876
0.001010 1.000421 3.002019
3.002039 3.001769
3.001786 -0.000885
-0.000893'
0.000900 -1.067516 3.037044 8.259076 -2.629538 0.001020
0.001030 1.000425
1.000429 3.002059 3.001804 -O' . 000902
0.000910 -1.067764
-1.068010 3.037306 8.256598 -2.628299 0.001040 1.000433 3.002079 3.001821 -0.000911
0.000920
0.000930 -1.068254 3.037567
3.037826 8.254072
8.251585 -2.627036 0.001050 1.000437 3.002099 3.001839 -0.000920
0.000940 -1.068497 3.038085 8.249121 -2.625793
-2.624560 0.001060 1.000442 3.002119 3.001856 -0.000928
0.000950 -1.068738 3.038342 8.246589 -2.623294 0.001070 1.000446 3.002139 3.001874
3.001891 -0.000937
0.000960 -1.068977 3.038598 8.244204 -2.622102 0.001080 1.000450
1.000454 3.002159
3.002179 3.001909 -0.000946
-0.000954
0.000970 -1.069214 3.038854 8.241785 -2.620893 0.001090
0.001100 1.000458 3.002199 3.001926 -0.000963
0.000980
0.000990 -1.069450
-1.069684 3.039108 8.239394 -2.619697
3.039362 8.236990 -2.618495
0.001000 -1.069916 3.039614 8.224592 -2.617296
0.001010
0.001020 -1.070147 3.039866 8.232228 -2.616114
0.001030 -1.070376
-1.070604 3.040116
3.040366 8.229943
8.227615 -2.614972
-2.613807 Table IVa
0.001040
0.001050 -1.070830 3.040614 8.225328 -2.612664
0.001060 -1.071055
-1.071278 3.040862
3.O41109 8.223039
8.220703 -2.611519
0.001070 -1.071500 3.041355 8.218441 -2.610357
-2.609225
0.001080
0.001090 -1.071721
-1.071940 3.041600 8.216281 -2.608140
0.001100 -1.072158 3.041844
3.042087 8.214055
8.211831 -2.607028
-2.605916
0.166667 Al 0 -1.003820 3.000130 8.954478 -2.977239
-2.944615
0.245097*10'' -1.009375
-1.010070 3.000777 8.889230
8.881129 -2*940564
0.303591<1
0.323258*1 O'O'** -1.004766 3.000896
3.000202 8.943298 -2.971649
ÿ=0. In other words the libration points are the singular 0.953875*10'* -1.068831 3.038442 8.245694 -2.622847
points of the zero velocity curves. 0.285502*10^ -1.046057 3.017716
3.005210 8.482474 -2.741237
-2.857978
0.437254*10~Z -1.024581 8.715957
8.700026 -2.850013
The values of the Jacobian constant C at the equi- 0.517732*10~\
0.277777.10'* -1.026011
-1.009776 3.005821
3.000845 8.884546 -2.942273
0.012141 -1.155645 3.184078 7.381228 -2.190614
librium points are 0.038521 -1.214439 3.351193 6.737213 -1.868607
0.090909 -1.256083 3.534181 6.095848 -1.547924
Ci=2ü(xi,yi). (8)

© American Astronomical Society Provided by the NASA Astrophysics Data System

69. . 4 60S

464 V. SZEBEHELY AND C. A. WILLIAMS

Table IVb
1964AJ

zero and the mixed second derivative is zero everywhere

along the x axis except at P\ and P2 since
d2il r(l—mH#—m) (*—m+1)1
=3-y (11)
dxdy L fi5 r26 1
0.l'66667>cl0
0.245097 * 10*'*r" -0.996189
-0.990678 3.000130
3.000781 9.045995
9.113550 -3.022997
-3.056775
0.303591*10*
0.323258*10'* ,
-0.989991
-0.995249 3.000900
3.000203 9.122073
9.C57447 -3.061037
-3.028723 Therefore, the slope in the limit process,
0•953875*10'
0.?85502«10', -0.932366
-0.954761 3.039714
3.018097 9.892313
9.580884 -3.446157
-3.290442
0.437254*10'*
0.517732.10'* -0.975729
-0.974330 3.005268
3.005890 9.302618
9.320728 -3.151131
-3.160364 Ay
0.277777*10'^* -0.990282 3.000848 9.118451 -3.059226 lim —,
0.012141 -0.836963 3.200246 11.294488 -4.147244 Ax >0
0.338521 -0.744935 3.402200 12.586078 -4.793039 “ Ax
0.■>90909 -0.626603 3.652916 13.987742 -5.493871
becomes that given by Eq. (9).
Note that
dti
(12)
dx

0.166667.10"
0.245097*10'* 1.000000 3.000000 3.000000 -0.000000 -=(i—Mb’ (13)
0.303591*10'* 1.000001
1.000001 3.000005 3.000004 -0.000002
0.323258*10'*1 l.OOCOOO 3.000006
3.000001 3.000005
3.000001 -0.000003
-0.000000 dy
0.953875*10' 1.000397 3.001907 3.001670 -0.000835
0.285502.10'-* 1.000119 3.000571 3.000500 -0.000250
0.437254 *1 O'*
0.517732*10'*, 1.000018
1.000022 3.000087
3.000104 3.000077
3.000091 -0.000038
-0.000045 :
r i 3(*-m)2-|
0.277777*10'*
0.012141 1.000001 3.000006 3.000004 -0.000002 (1—m)
1.005059 3.024131 3.021366 -0.010683 dx2 L ri3 ri5 J
0.038521
0.090909 1.016047
1.037836 3.075515
3.173222 3.068622
3.165991 -0.034311
-0.082996
r 1 3(x—ju+l)2-]
+J 1 + : , (14)
L r2 r2a
Table V
d2Q r 1 3y2_] r 1 3y2
Representative —=(!-,,) 1 +— +M 1 +— (15)
p Special feature numerical result dy2 L rj3 nb J L f23 r-i6
0.178944 maximum distance of L\ (Yi)min= — 1.271630 which results follow from Eq. (3).
from mass center
0.33464 maximum value of the (Ci)max= 3.769683
Jacobian constant at Li
0.136017 maximum difference between (A2)max= 0.376796 COMPUTATIONAL METHODS
Jacobian constants
The locations of the collinear libration points are
obtained from the equation
The slopes of the zero velocity curves at the collinear (1—/¿) (x—/z) ix (x—/x+1)
singular points are given by x =0, (16)
ri3 r23
d2ü/dx2Ÿ which is the consequence of Eq. (12).
<5*1 — zb (9)
( d2ti/dy2)j It can be shown (Wintner 1947, p. 361) that the three
real roots of Eq. (16) for 0</z<l are located in the
which follows from a Taylor series expansion of the following regions :
Jacobian function around x¿ :
M~2<xi<)u— 1,
/dl2\ /dti\
&(x,y) = Œ(xi,0)+i — ) Ax+i — J Ay /z—15vX2<Í/z, (17)
\dx/ xi,o \dy/ xi,o IX<Xz<ß+l,
Le. that the second Lagrangian point is always between
the primaries, and that the first and third points are
located left and right of the corresponding primaries
and do not depart from these masses more than 1 unit
of distance.
The above rather crude ranges can be refined by
where Ax=x—x¿ and Ay=y. using the well-known Sturm method of algebra. The
At the libration points, x = x¿, the first derivatives are following results are considerably more difficult to

© American Astronomical Society • Provided by the NASA Astrophysics Data System

69. . 4 60S

COLLI NEAR LIBRATION POINTS 465

1964AJ

obtain than the inequalities (17); nevertheless, they

establish much better limits for 0</>i< 1 independently
of JX.
— 1.3<#i< — 1,
-1<*2<0, (18)
1<x3<1.3.
These ranges were also given by Martin (1931).
The actual limits obtained by computation are Fig. 2. Limiting locations of the collinear
libration points for 0<ju<.5.
-l.lIlôSOKxxK-l,
-1<*2<0, (19) DESCRIPTIONS OF THE TABLES AND GRAPHS
1<*3< 1.198406. The information given in the tables is arranged
according to the value of the mass parameter. Tables
System (19) applies to 0<ju<|. Figure 2 shows the la, lb, and Ic give the pertinent results regarding the
approximate limits. first, second, and third collinear points for the complete
The actual computation of the roots of Eq. (16) range. Tables Ha, lib, and lie show the effect
can be performed in a variety of ways [Brouwer and of small changes in the value of the mass ratio around
Clemence (1961, pp. 261 if.), Moulton (1914, pp. 292 ff.), ¿i=0.012, corresponding to the earth-moon configura-
Charlier (1907, p. Ill), and Abyankar (1959)]. The tion. Tables Ilia, Illb, and IIIc perform the same
following iterative method, corresponding to the last around ¿i=0.001, corresponding to the Jupiter-sun
reference, was found highly satisfactory and was configuration. For certain selected ¡x values of special
adapted for the preparation of the tables. interest and occurring in the solar system, Tables I Va,
The point Li being located left of the mass w2=/x IVb, and IVc show the results. The last two lines in
will have the abscissa Xi=ß—l—r2, where r2 is the this table correspond to ¿i=0.038521 and ¿i=l/ll
distance Lim2. The second libration point L2 is at = 0.090909; the first representing the limiting case for
^2 = m—1+^2, where r2 is now the distance L2m2. the stability of the triangular libration points, the
Finally where ri=L3wi. By successive ap- second referring to Darwin’s (1911) value. Planetary
proximations the distances r\ and r2 are computed and masses were taken from Clemence (1949); the mass of
the corresponding abscissas are evaluated. For Li, the moon from Brouwer and Clemence {The Solar Sys-
Eq. (16) gives tem, 1961). The tabulated results which apply to the
planets and to the moon appear in Tables IV (a)-IV (b)
m(1 + *'2)2 in the order Mercury, Venus, earth and moon, Mars,
r23 = (20)
3 — 2fjL+r2(3—ß+r2) Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, and the moon.
The maximum error of the xt in the table is ± 10-6.
with rt= l+r2. Similarly, for L2 we have The error in is also in the same decimal place, even
for those critical ranges of ¿t for which r2 in Eq. (3)
m(1-^)2 is small. Let, for instance, 10~6<¿t< 10~4; r2—0{\0r2).
f23 = ? (21)
3 — 2ß—r2(3—ß—r2) The major contribution to the error in CV comes from
the term ß/r2. This gives (¿t/r22)Ar=0(Ar) or less,
where ri=l — r2. Finally for L3, where the error in r is the same as in x.
The values shown in Tables la and lb close to ¿t=0
(1-MXl+n)2
^ (22) can be obtained by using the polynomial approxi-
l+2/z+ri(2+/x+ri) mations given by Brouwer and Clemence (1961, p. 261).
For instance, for the location of Li and L2 we obtain
with r2= 1+ri.
The starting value used in the iteration process for Xi —fjL—l—a(l-\-a/3—a2/9)
Li and L2 is and
x2 = ¿t—l+o:(l—a/3--a2/9),
»•2=Cii/3(l—m)]* (23) where a = ^2 as given by Eq. (23).
and for L3, ri = 0. The first 9 entries of xi and x2 in Tables la and lb
Equation (21), given by Brouwer and Clemence (0<¿t< 0.000009) can be computed to six-digit ac-
(1961, p. 261), is preferred to [/x/3]*, given by Charlier curacy with these expressions. The other quantities
(1907, p. 110) and Moulton (1914, p. 292). shown in the tables (for the same range of the value
Computation of the Jacobian constant and of the of ¿i) can be obtained by substituting the above poly-
second derivatives consists of substitution in Eqs. (8), nomials in the appropriate formulas. For larger values
(14), and (15). of ß these polynomials do not provide the most efficient

© American Astronomical Society • Provided by the NASA Astrophysics Data System

69. . 4 60S

466 V. SZEBEHELY AND C. A. WILLIAMS

1964AJ

Simultaneous solution of Eqs. (24) and (25) give the

desired ximin and p0. One of the unknowns (p) can be
eliminated by solving both equations for p. Equation
(24) gives
f25+3r24+3f23
p= , (26)
r24+ 2r23+r22+2r 2+1
and from (25),
3r22+r2
M= (27)
6r22+6r2+2
Therefore,
6r26+ 2 lr25+3 lr24+ 19r23—r22—5r2 — 1 = 0. (28)
The essential feature of Eqs. (24) and (25) is that
they are linear in p. The only positive root of Eq. (28)
Fig. 3. Position of the collinear libration points is r2=0.450574, which gives the above po value by
(xi) vs the mass parameter (¿t). using Eq. (27).
Figure 4 shows the Jacobian constants as functions
ways to compute the values shown in the tables and of the mass parameter. They are evaluated by using
therefore we resorted to the iterative method described Eq. (8).
by Eqs. (20) to (23). The Jacobian constant at the second and third
Figure 3 shows the variation of the position of the libration points increases monotonically with p for
collinear points, with p. The xzip) and xz(p) functions 0</a<2, but at the first libration point it shows a
are monotonie increasing while xi(p) shows a minimum. maximum at /xo:= 0.334364. The maximum value of
That the distances of Li and L2 from w2 are mono- Ci occurring at this p value is (Ci)max=3.769683.
tonically increasing with p and that the distance of Lz The maximum of the function Ci(p) is obtained by
from mi is monoton decreasing with p was shown by using
Martin (1931) and later by Wintner (1947). He and dCi 2d£2(#i,0) 2dß(#i,0) dxi
other contributors, however, missed the minimum of xi. —= + =0, (29)
That is, the distance of the first libration point from dp dp dxi dp
the center of mass | x± | possesses a maximum while the
distance of the same libration point from the mass m2 or, since df2(xi,0)/dxi=0, the problem is equivalent to
is monotonically increasing with p. The method of
finding #1 min =— 1.271630 and the corresponding
/¿o=0.178944 is described in detail since neither the
result nor our approach seem to have been published
before.
From Eq. (12) with dß/dx=0, r2 = ju—#i—1, and
/'i=r2+l we have
1—p p
1—/¿+f2= 1—• (24)
(r2+l)2 r22
This quintic equation connects the position of the first
libration point (xi) with the mass parameter. The
%i min and the corresponding p0 values, of course, must
satisfy Eq. (24). From
dxi d(—1+/Í-—r2)
dp dp
we have another condition for the determination of
min and /¿o- This can be obtained by implicit differ-
entiation of Eq. (24) with respect to p and substitution
of dr2ldp= 1. The result can be written as
Fig. 4. Values of the Jacobian constants (C») at the collinear
r23(3-2M+r2)+(r2+l)3(2M-r2) = 0. (25) libration points vs the mass parameter (jjl).

© American Astronomical Society • Provided by the NASA Astrophysics Data System

69. . 4 60S

COLLINEAR LIBRATION POINTS 467

1964AJ

solving
30 (*1,0)/3m=0. (30)
This last partial derivative can be computed from
Eq- (3), giving
30 11 3ri/ 1\
—=h(r22-rit)-] b(l—m)—( O )
dp r2 ri dp \ f i2/

where
dri/dp=l, dr2/dp—l.
The terms of (31) containing partial derivatives of ri
and r2 are equivalent to —dtl/dx and therefore vanish.
Equation (30) becomes
è(f'22-ri2)+ (ri-r2)/r1r2=0)
or
l/rir2=%(ri+r2), (32)
This elegant form becomes useful for computational
purposes when ri=r2+l is substituted. The resulting
cubic equation for r2 is Fig. 6. Slopes of the zero-velocity curves at the collinear libration
points (Si) vs the mass parameter (/*).
2r23+3r 22+r2—2=0, (33)
which has only one positive root, r2=0.583156. The
associated po value can be obtained again from Eq. (26) = 0.136017. The meaning of this po is that at this mass
and the abscissa of the first libration point correspond- parameter the difference between the Jacobian constants
ing to this po is xi= —1.248793. The Cimax value, given at the first and third libration points is larger than at
above, is obtained from Eq. (8) or directly from Eq. (3). any other p value. The application of Ai and A2 is
Figure 5 shows the variation of the quantities C2—Ci outlined in the last section.
and C1—C3 with the mass parameter. While the The maximum of A2=2[fí(#i,0)—fí(#3,0)J is ob-
quantity Ai=C2—Ci is a monotonically increasing tained (similarly to the maximum of Ci), from
function of p> A2=Cr—C3 shows a maximum at po
díi(L1)/dp-dÜ(L5)/dp=0. (34)

The first term in Eq. (34) is

—è—r2+l/r2(l+r2),

where r2 is the distance between the first libration point

and m2. In order to avoid confusion this distance now
will be denoted by r2a\ where the superscript refers to
the first libration point. In general let denote the
distance between the ith libration point and the jth
primary; ¿=1, 2, 3; j=l, 2. Therefore we have
dÜ(L¿)/dp= — J+r2 (3) — 1/r2 (3) (r2 (3) — 1). (35)

Equation (34) becomes

dA2 1
=-(r2(1>+r2(3))+ —
dp /'^(f^ + l)
1
Fig. 5. Differences in the Jacobian constants + r <3>(r <3)--l)
— (36)
(At) vs the mass parameter fix). 2 2

© American Astronomical Society • Provided by the NASA Astrophysics Data System

69. . 4 60S
468 V. SZEBEHLEY AND C. A. WILLIAMS
1964AJ
and the corresponding condition for (A2)max is
1 1
r2(1)+^(3) = +- . (37)
r2U)(r2a) + i) f2(3)(r2(3)_i)
The two unknowns r2(1) and r2(3) occurring in this
equation are functions of ju.
The relation between r2(3) and ^ is
(r2(3))2[— (r2(3))3+3(r2(3))2—3(r2(3))+2]
M==— (38)
(^2 ) "“2(r2(3))3+ (r2(3))2+2(f2(3)) — 1
(3) 4
The relation between r2(1) and jit is exactly that given
by (26) with the substitution r2=r2(1). Equation (38)
follows directly from (16). Equating Eqs. (38) and
(26) gives another relation between the two unknowns,
the simultaneous solution of which, together with
Eq. (37) represents the result sought. From the compu-
tational point of view a simpler approach would be to
select an initial p value and evaluate the right side of
Eq. (36) at this p. Improving the initial selection until
Eq. (39) is satisfied would give the desired value.
Using the tables, this method would give a p value
to no more than two decimals. Actual computation
was done by inverse interpolation. The numerical results
are ^=0.136017, (A2)max=0.376796, *!=-1.268623,
and #3=1.056525.
Figure 6 shows the relation between the slopes
defined previously and the mass parameter. Noting
that these values are not tabulated, attention is
directed to Eq. (9) which allows the computation of
the slopes using the tabulated values of the second
derivatives.
A detailed investigation of the ju —> 0 limit regarding
d2Q/dx2i d2ti/dy2 and the corresponding slopes has not
been found in the previous literature. The analytical
limit process gave us the same value (V3) as shown in
Fig. 6. This value does not correspond to the value
expected from the two-body problem.
The tables give some of the necessary information to
construct the zero velocity curves passing through
libration points. It is not necessary to have this infor-
mation at L4 and at Z5 since there the zero-velocity
curves degenerate to points.
The characteristic exponents at the collinear equi-
librium point can also be computed from the second
partial derivatives given in the table since the mixed
second derivatives at these points are zero. The three
nonzero second-order derivatives
d2Syd#2=î, d2Ü/dy2=9/A,
—2/x)A/3(corresponding to y=±|V3),
and the associated characteristic exponents at the
triangular equilibrium points can be computed without
difficulty.
© American Astronomical Society • Provided by the NASA Astrophysics Data System
APPLICATIONS
The numerical values presented in the tables and on
the graphs are associated with the singular points of
the Jacobian function. The Jacobian function, on the
other hand, forms the basis of the construction of the
zero-velocity curves of the restricted problem. There-
fore, applications of these zero-velocity or Hill curves
are intimately associated with applications of the
results of this paper. The locations of the equilibrium
points, the slopes of the zero-velocity curves, and the
values of the Jacobian constant at these points are the
most pertinent quantities for establishing the Hill
curves for any given value of the mass parameter.
The three examples, to be outlined shortly, regarding
applications will be from three distinct areas of as-
tronomy: cosmogony, stellar dynamics, and space
research.
Regarding cosmogony, Hill’s remarks are well known,
when he pointed out the ^stability” of the moon’s orbit
using the fact that the zero-velocity curves present
boundaries for real motions. Such applications can be
significantly extended as the following outline indicates.
Consider the sun and the earth as the primaries and
allow all the assumptions of the restricted problem to be
acceptable. The existence of periodic orbits around the
sun belonging to Poincare’s première sorte is well
established with a value of the undisturbed semimajor
axis (i.e. radius) that places the orbit inside the zero-
velocity oval around the sun. An estimate of this
semimajor axis is ai<p—X2. The closer the orbit is to
the figure-eight Hill curve which goes through Z,2, the
larger are the earth-produced perturbations which are
experienced by the third body. As long as the Jacobian
constant of the third particle (C) is greater than C2
and its initial conditions satisfy the periodicity require-
ments, the body will remain around the sun and it will
perform a planetary type of motion. Let us now decrease
the Jacobian constant of the particle so that Ci<C<C2.
The physical meaning of this step is that the third body
is not confined to its motion around the sun but it is
allowed to become a satellite of the second primary,
i.e. of the earth. This does not mean that it will become
permanently a satellite of the earth since its Jacobian
constant is such that it is not confined to the zero-
velocity oval around the earth. The zero-velocity curve
associated with the above C is of an hour-glass shape
with a very small oval around the earth, with its neck
close to jL2 and with a large oval around the sun. If C
is equal to C2 the neck is closed. If C is slightly below C2,
the neck is open and particles can pass through it;
communication between the sun and the earth is
established and exchanges between planetary and
satellite orbits are possible. If a particle originally
in a planetary orbit around the sun possesses enough
relative energy (has a low enough C value) to pass
through the opening at L2 it might start orbiting around
the earth in an orbit of semimajor axis as<l—p-\-X2.
69. . 4 60S
COLLINEAR LIBRATION POINTS
If there is any mechanism in the system which leads
1964AJ
to or allows dissipation of energy at this stage, then
the corresponding zero-velocity curve closes around the
earth and the particle will remain in its satellite orbit.
The dissipating mechanism can be, for instance, tidal
friction which operates only after the particle becomes
a satellite of the earth. The eccentricity of the orbits of
the primaries might also lead to “capture.” While this
effect is not nearly as plausible as the first described,
it would solve the problem without the introduction of
an actual physical dissipative mechanism. The Jacobian
constant in the elliptic case is of course time-dependent ;
nevertheless, the practical usefulness of the Jacobian
integral is not necessarily zero and a quasi-steady
approach might give interesting results. The conditions
to be satisfied for such a case have been discussed
previously by Szebehely and Giacaglia (1964). The
variable zero-velocity curves associated with the time-
dependent Jacobian “constant” in a quasi-steady sense
can be followed without difficulty using the tables of
this paper.
The implications for stellar dynamics are well known
from numerous publications concerning close binary
stars; see for instance Kuiper (1941), Kopal (1954 and
1956), Kuiper and Johnson (1956), Huang and Struve
(1958), Gould (1959), and Abhyankar (1959), some of
which were mentioned before. Inasmuch as the present
paper shows that at certain special values of the mass
parameter the system exhibits special features and
since previous writers on the subject have not mentioned
these particular mass ratios, it seems to be interesting
to review the physical situation in light of the new
findings.
The new values of the mass parameter (ß0) at which
the system shows special behavior are listed in Table V
with the associated distinguishing features.
The previously “discovered” special values of the
mass parameter mo=0 and § are omitted from the
present discussion. This way, for instance, the (#i)max,
(#2)min> (#3)minj (Gi)min> (C2)min> (C^min, (Ai)min, and
(A2)min values occurring at /¿=0 and the (^2)max,
(*3) max> (C^maxj (C3) maxj (Ai) max» (A2)min values
occurring at /x=| are excluded from the following
discussion. The well-known critical value of the mass
parameter which separates the stable and unstable
solution around the triangular points for zero eccen-
tricity (e) and Danby’s (1964) recently discovered
/z=0.0285 value for e=0+, are also excluded since they
do not appear in this paper as special values.
In view of the results shown in Table V the question
naturally comes up whether there is any special behavior
of those binary systems that possess the distinguished
values of the mass parameter. This question is of some
importance, since well-defined physical significance can
be attached to the special features described in the
table.
Concerning the case when the first Lagrangian point
is at a maximum distance from the mass center, it
© American Astronomical Society • Provided by the NASA Astrophysics Data System
469
might be expected that if the phenomena taking place
follow the dynamical assumptions of the restricted
problem then particle exchange between the primaries
and the outside world might be minimum. This might
follow from the fact that the hour-glass-shape zero-
velocity curves, mentioned before, which enclose both
primaries, open up for communication with the outside,
always at the first libration point as the Jacobian
constant decreases from C2 to Ci.
It is to be understood, on the other hand, that
particles associated with a Jacobian constant, C<3,
possess enough relative energy to reach every point
in the plane of motion of the primaries. Increasing C
from its minimum value of 3 means that particles with
smaller and smaller relative energy content are being
considered. The higher the Ci value is at which com-
munication occurs between the primaries and their
“outside,” the more particles will participate in the
exchange, since higher Ci means lower relative energy
and there are more particles which have at least a
specified low-energy content than a certain given higher
energy content. This means that the value ¿to=0.334364
of the mass parameter results in optimum particle
participation in the exchange.
A short study of existing mass parameters of binary
systems did not reveal special behavior at the mass
parameters listed in Table V. It is not inconceivable,
however, that special features might be established at
¿to=0.14, 0.18 and 0.33 in the future.
To comprehend the physical significance of the third
special value shown in Table V and the importance of
the previously defined quantities Ai and A2 an example
connected with recent space research or more specifically
related to earth-to-moon trajectories is mentioned. The
difference between the Jacobian constant at L2 and Li
corresponds to a range of the relative energy of particles,
namely Ci<C<C2. The total variation of the C value
in the range is Ai=C2—Ci. This represents the excess
of the relative energy which particles require to establish
communication with the outside above the energy level
which is required for the previously mentioned planet-
satellite exchange. In other words, particles with very
high C values have low relative energy levels and they
either move around one of the primaries or move far
outside of the system. Considering particles with
somewhat lower C values, say C=C2 (i.e. somewhat
higher relative energy levels) one reaches the boundary
case corresponding to the figure-eight zero-velocity
curve passing through L2. All particles with Jacobian
constants between C = <*> and C=C2 (between the
corresponding relative energy levels) will either remain
inside the above mentioned figure-eight boundary
curve or will stay outside a large oval which encloses
both primaries. Those particles for which Ci<C<C2,
possess enough relative energies to communicate
between the neighborhood of mi and of m2. If C<Ci
the particles can leave the system, while if OC2 the
corresponding particles can not change position from
69. . 4 60S
470 V. SZEBEHLEY AND C. A. WILLIAMS
1964AJ
the vicinity of Wi to that of m2. Therefore the C2—Ci=Ai
range corresponds to those particles which have enough
relative energy to travel between the primaries but
do not have enough energy to leave the system.
The quantity A2=Ci—C3 corresponds to those
particles which have enough energy to leave (or enter)
the system through the opening neck at Zi but not
enough to leave or enter at L%.
Consider now the Jacobian integral in the form
F=(2fí—C)" and evaluate the velocity difference
AF = A£2/ V— AC/2F. (42)
The function is constant within a very close
approximation on a small circle with the center at
either of the primaries; therefore, for particles which
start their orbits at, say, 100—200 km above the
earth’s surface,
AF^-AC/2F. (43)
At such an h we have n = (h-{-R)/l and 1 — (h-{-R)/l
<y2< 1—b (h~{~R-)/1 where /= 384329 km, R=6378 km.
Therefore, fi=0.01698545,
0.98301455 02< 1.01698545,
and
58.17694385 < ß < 58.17694398.
This represents a change in ß of 2 parts in 109.
The variation of the initial magnitude of the velocity,
therefore, is proportional to the difference in C accord-
ing to Eq. (43). The quantity Ai is a measure of the
allowable velocity variation for particles which are to
travel from mi to m2 but are not to leave the system. A
large Ai value corresponds to large velocity variation,
while a small Ai, which occurs at a small value of the
mass parameter, i.e. /x^0, indicates extreme sensitivity
to velocity “errors” if particles are required to reach
© American Astronomical Society • Provided by the NASA Astrophysics Data System
the general area of the moon from the vicinity of the
earth but are not supposed to escape from the earth-
moon system.
The maximum value of A2 similarly represents the
largest allowable velocity errors for particles which are
to leave (or enter) the system through the opening at
Li but not through the neck at Z,3.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We wish to thank Dr. G. Clemence of the Yale
University Observatory for his many useful comments.
The research reported in this article was partially
supported by a grant from the Air Force Office of
Scientific Research and by contracts with the Office of
Naval Research and the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration.
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Middlehurst, Vol. Ill, p. 31.
Charlier, C. L. 1907, Die Mechanik des Himmels (Verlag von Veit
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Clemence, G. M. iSW), Astron. Papers of the American Ephemeris
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Danby, J. M. A. 1964, Astron. J. 69, 165.
Darwin, G. H. 1911, Scientific Papers IV, 140.
Goudas, C. L. 1963, Observatory 83, 935, 187.
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Kopal, Z. 1954, Jodrell Bank Ann. 1, 37.
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Kuiper, G. P., and Johnson, J. R. 1956, ibid. 123, 90.
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Szebehely, V. G., and Giacaglia, G. E. O. 1964, Astron. J. 69, 230.
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