Chaotic dynamics around cometary nuclei

TL;DR

This paper uses a generalized Kepler map to analyze chaotic dynamics around cometary nuclei, estimating chaotic zone sizes and Lyapunov times, revealing significant chaotic regions especially around Comet 1P/Halley.

Contribution

It introduces a generalized Kepler map approach to study chaos around cometary nuclei, based on observational data, highlighting the extent of chaotic zones.

Findings

Chaotic zones can encompass large parts of the Hill sphere.

Comet 1P/Halley exhibits extensive chaotic regions around its nucleus.

Lyapunov times indicate rapid divergence of orbits within these zones.

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.