Effects of Tidal Forces on the Minimum Energy Configurations of the Full Three Body Problem
Effects of Tidal Forces on the Minimum Energy Configurations of the Full Three Body Problem
Files
Publication or External Link
Date
2016
Authors
Levine, Edward
Advisor
Hartzell, Christine
Citation
DRUM DOI
Abstract
We investigate the evolution of minimum energy configurations for the Full Three Body Problem (3BP). A stable ternary asteroid system will gradually become unstable due to the Yarkovsky-O’Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack (YORP) effect and an unpredictable trajectory will ensue. Through the interaction of tidal torques, energy in the system will dissipate in the form of heat until a stable minimum energy configuration is reached. We present a simulation that describes the dynamical evolution of three bodies under the mutual effects of gravity and tidal torques. Simulations show that bodies do not get stuck in local minima and transition to the predicted minimum energy configuration.