Chaotic dynamics around cometary nuclei
arXiv:1710.10110 · doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2017.10.035
Abstract
We apply a generalized Kepler map theory to describe the qualitative chaotic dynamics around cometary nuclei, based on accessible observational data for five comets whose nuclei are well-documented to resemble dumb-bells. The sizes of chaotic zones around the nuclei and the Lyapunov times of the motion inside these zones are estimated. In the case of Comet 1P/Halley, the circumnuclear chaotic zone seems to engulf an essential part of the Hill sphere, at least for orbits of moderate to high eccentricity.
22 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables; accepted for publication in Icarus
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