Resonance and capture of Jupiter comets (Q5960097)

A geometrical approach is applied to the comet resonance transition problem. More precisely, the authors study periodic orbits around equilibrium points \(L_1\) and \(L_2\) for the restricted three-body problem in Sun-Jupiter system. The Jupiter family comets, such as 39P Oterma and 82P Gehrels 3, make rapid transition from heliocentric orbits outside the Jupiter orbit to heliocentric orbits inside the Jupiter orbit, and vice versa, via Jupiter encounters. The orbits pass close to the points \(L_1\) and \(L_2\). The interior heliocentric orbits are close to 3:2 resonance, while the exterior heliocentric orbits are near to 2:3 resonance. The authors develop a procedure for numerical construction of the orbits using stable and unstable invariant manifold tubes of \(L_1\) and \(L_2\) periodic orbits. The behavior of orbits, resonance transitions, and comet capture by Jupiter with energy levels near to the level of Oterma comet, are shown in figures.