Application and implication of knot theory to the circular restricted three-body problem

• Published in: Astrophysics and space science Vol. 370; no. 8; p. 77
• Main Authors: Mill, Mason R., Bettinger, Robert A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.08.2025; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Astrobiology; Astrodynamics; Astronomy; Astrophysics and Astroparticles; Cosmology; Euclidean space; Knot theory; Knots; Observations and Techniques; Orbits; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Polynomials; Space Exploration and Astronautics; Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics; Three body problem; Toruses; Trajectories; Alexander polynomial; Knot theory; Torus knot; Unknot

This paper investigates the application of knot theory to the classification of orbit families in the Circular Restricted Three-Body Problem (CR3BP). Motivated by the infinite variety of possible orbits—many of which remain unnamed and uncataloged—this paper applies polynomial knot invariants, prima...