Doubly asymptotic trajectories of Lagrangian systems and a problem by Kirchhoff (Q1375123)

Summary: We consider Lagrangian systems with Lagrangian functions which exhibit a quadratic time dependence. We prove the existence of infinitely many solutions tending, as \(t\to\pm\infty\), to an ``equilibrium at infinity''. This result is applied to the Kirchhoff problem of a heavy rigid body moving through a boundless incompressible ideal fluid, which is at rest at infinity and has zero vorticity.