On the Origin of Chaos in the Asteroid Belt
N. Murray et al. (1998)
- Published
- Nov 1, 1998
- Journal
- The Astronomical Journal · Vol. 116 · No. 5
- DOI
- 10.1086/300586
At a GlanceAI
Explains how overlapping mean-motion resonances can generate widespread chaotic motion in the main asteroid belt.
SummaryAI
The work addresses why large regions of the asteroid belt exhibit chaotic orbital evolution. It links the onset of chaos to mean-motion resonances, emphasizing that chaotic behavior can arise when resonances interact or overlap rather than acting in isolation. Framing chaos in terms of resonance structure provides a physical explanation for instability patterns and helps interpret features like gaps and diffuse boundaries in the belt.
Method SnapshotAI
The study uses analytical resonance/perturbation theory arguments to relate chaotic behavior to interacting mean-motion resonances.
BackgroundAI
Celestial mechanics with emphasis on mean-motion resonances and the basics of Hamiltonian chaos.