Symmetry preserving deformations of the Kepler problem (Q1825054)

Certainly one of the most studied problems in mechanics is the Kepler problem - that which describes the motion of two particles governed by a force varying inversely as the square of the distance between the two particles. One of the more delightful aspects of this model is the great number of remarkable properties that it possesses. For example, it has Kepler's three laws, a Lenz vector, Delaunay variables and a fifteen- dimensional symmetry group. The plan of this paper is to realize the differential equations for the Kepler problem as a member of a one-parameter family of differential equations, which are Hamiltonian at each value of the parameter. If we think of the parameter as representing a deformation, then this deformation is Hamiltonian. Next we show that there is a false-time that linearizes the differential equations, and provides their integration. Then we show that many of the wonderful properties of the Kepler problem have suitable parametrized analogues. For instance, Kepler's tree laws have a parametrized analogue, and the fifteen-dimensional symmetry group of the Kepler problem is preserved under the deformation as well. Looking at the Kepler problem as a member of a whole family of problems allows us to view it as a limit, and so gain a new insight on almost all aspects of the Kepler problem, especially some of the recent work on regularization.