Analysis of Particle Transport in the Photogravitational Problem with Zero-Velocity Curves
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The photogravitational circular restricted three-body problem extends the classical circular restricted three-body problem by incorporating radiation pressure from one or both primary bodies, providing a framework for investigating the dynamics of small particles in radiative binary star systems. The locations of the collinear Lagrange points, their associated Jacobi constants, and the resulting zero-velocity curves are investigated over a broad photogravitational parameter space. Three representative stellar reduced masses, μ=1/2, 1/3, and 1/4, are considered while the radiative parameters of both primary bodies are varied over the interval 0≤q1,q2≤1. The results demonstrate that radiation pressure modifies the locations of the collinear Lagrange points and alters the relative ordering of their associated Jacobi constants. These changes directly influence the topology of the zero-velocity curves, producing substantial variations in the accessible regions of motion. Furthermore, the Jacobi constant hierarchy governs the sequence in which transport bottleneck channels become accessible. These results provide a generalized description of the photogravitational circular restricted three-body problem that can be applied to any particular binary systems through appropriate choice of reduced mass and radiative parameters.
Source: Astronomy
Authors: Sofia Kravis, Diogo Merguizo Sanchez
Language: English
Subfield: Aerospace Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,207
OpenAlex ID: W7213440639