A proof of Saari's conjecture for the three-body problem in R\(^d\) (Q1006283)

For the three-body problem of Newtonian mechanics in three dimensions, it is well-known that central configurations (where the bodies rotate rigidity abut their center of mass) give rise to periodic solutions. It is clear that the moment of inertia of the bodies with respect to the center of mass is constant for these solutions. Saari conjectured that rigid motions of this type -- relative equilibria solutions -- are the only solutions with constant moment of inertia. This paper proves that result in \(\mathbb{R}^d\) for the three-body problem. The author's proof depends on computational algebra, and takes the following approach. To show that a solution with constant moment of inertia is a rigid motion, it suffices to show that the mutual distances \(r_{ij}\) between the \(i\)th and \(j\)th bodies are constant. If not, the \(r_{ij}\) could take on infinitely many values. The proof consists of showing that only finitely many distinct values of the \(r_{ij}\) occur. The author notes that, although the rigid motions are planar when \(d\leq 3\) (arising from the five central configurations), there are other possibilities for \(d\geq 4\). For example, there is a solution in \(\mathbb{R}^4\) for which rigid motions involve simultaneous rotations about two orthogonal planes in \(\mathbb{R}^4\).