The Three-Body Problem

How do three celestial bodies move under their mutual gravitational attraction? This problem has been studied by Isaac Newton and leading mathematicians over the last two centuries. Poincar 's conclusion, that the problem represents an example of chaos in nature, opens the new possibility of using a statistical approach. For the first time this book presents these methods in a systematic way, surveying statistical as well as more traditional methods. This book should be essential reading for students in a rapidly expanding field and is suitable for students of celestial mechanics at advanced undergraduate and graduate level.

Author: Mauri Valtonen, Hannu Karttunen
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 03/02/2006
Pages: 356
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.91lbs
Size: 9.76h x 7.06w x 0.85d
ISBN: 9780521852241

Review Citation(s):
Choice 12/01/2006 pg. 666

About the Author
Valtonen, Mauri: - Mauri Valtonen is a Professor of Astronomy at the University of Turku.Karttunen, Hannu: - Hannu Karttunen is a Systems Manager at Tuorla Observatory, University of Turku.