Versal normal form of the Hamiltonian function of the restricted problem of three bodies near \({\mathcal L}_ 4\) (Q1342924)

The first step in analyzing a dynamical system near an equilibrium is to bring the linearized system into its Jordan canonical form. But when the linearized matrix depends on parameters, the transformation into the Jordan canonical form can become singular if multiple eigenvalues occur. The versal normal form for a matrix was introduced by Arndt, in order to overcome this difficulty. Unfortunately, no method was given on how to construct this transformation. The author considers the one-to-one resonance system at the Lagrangian triangular equilibrium point \(L_ 4\) in the restricted problem of three bodies. By using this system as example, the author describes a simple procedure to accomplish the versal normal form. Moreover, the author extends the idea of versal normal form to higher-order terms in the Hamiltonian function, and gives the dynamical behaviour of periodic orbits near the equilibrium point.