Non-linear dynamics of ring world systems

Colin R. McInnes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)
70 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The dynamics of a point mass and a thin solid ring are considered with the point mass located within the perimeter of the ring. It is demonstrated that an equilibrium configuration exists only when the center-of-mass of the ring and the point mass are collocated. However, this sole equilibrium configuration is unstable due to perturbations within the plane of the ring, but is stable due to perturbations normal to the plane of the ring. Such a ring system about a star has been envisaged in some detail in well-known works of fiction. While qualitative, or sometimes quantitative linear analysis of the problem is to be found, a full non-linear analysis of the dynamics of the problem does not appear to have been previously published.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)308-313
Number of pages6
JournalJBIS, Journal of the British Interplanetary Society
Volume56
Issue number9-10
Publication statusPublished - 2003

Keywords

  • ring world
  • non-linear dynamics
  • control systems

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Non-linear dynamics of ring world systems'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this