Heliyon (Jun 2021)
Equilibria, stability and chaos in photogravitational Bi-Circular restricted four-body problem
Abstract
A model to investigate the influence of gravitational force and radiation pressure on interstellar dust found within the vicinities of certain stellar systems is presented in this study with the inclusion of potential due to the belt. Semi-analytic approach is adopted to examine the dynamical behaviour of the motion of a test particle in the neighbourhood of the radiating stars, namely, Wolf 630, Formalhaut, Omicron Eradani and 36 Ophiuchi respectively. The Libration points were found dependent on the mass ratios of the systems and the radiation pressure exerted by the star(s) and the motion of the dust particle around them is linearly unstable. In each of the four case studies, two Lyapunov Characteristic Exponents were seen positive which validate the chaotic nature of the system, also the Poincare Surface Section revealed the sensitivity of the dynamical system to change in initial conditions. Several scientific questions of great importance in astrophysics and astronomy; such as the motions of interstellar clouds, proto-nebulae, planetary rings and micrometeorites can be answered by engaging this model.
