A global analysis of the generalized Sitnikov problem (Q1976102)

The isosceles three-body problem is one of the most famous and old problems of celestial mechanics. Here the author considers a variant of this problem obtained by applying special symmetries to initial conditions. The present formulation can describe both Sitnikov and planar configurations, which are usually modelled separately. There are two free parameters which govern the dynamics -- a mass ratio and an angular momentum of the binary. The Sitnikov configuration consists of a symmetric binary system with nonzero angular momentum and a mass moving along a line perpendicular to the plane of the binary and passing through the mass center of the binary. The author considers all possible values of angular momentum and mass ratio. New results are obtained concerning the description of allowable motions and global stability of dominant periodic orbits.