A study of the 1/2 retrograde resonance: periodic orbits and resonant capture

Abstract

We describe the families of periodic orbits in the 2-dimensional 1/2 retrograde resonance at mass ratio 10 - 3, analyzing their stability and bifurcations into 3-dimensional periodic orbits. We explain the role played by periodic orbits in adiabatic resonance capture, in particular how the proximity between a stable family and an unstable family with a nearly critical segment, associated with Kozai separatrices, determines the transition between distinct resonant modes observed in numerical simulations. Combining the identification of stable, critical and unstable periodic orbits with analytical modeling, resonance capture simulations and computation of stability maps helps to unveil the complex 3-dimensional structure of resonances.