Stellar motions in galactic satellites

J. C. MUZZIO; M. M. VERGNE; F. C. WACHLIN; D. D. CARPINTERO

Poznan

Congreso; U.S.–European Celestial Mechanics Workshop; 2000

Astronomical Observatory of Adam Mickiewicz University

The study of the motions of the stars that belong to a galactic satellite (i.e., a globular cluster or a dwarf galaxy orbiting a larger one) has some similarities, as well as significant differences, with the restricted three-body problem of celestial mechanics. The high percentage of chaotic orbits present in some models is of particular interest because it rises, on the one hand, the question of its origin and, on the other hand, the question of whether an equilibrium stellar system can be built when the bulk of the stellar motions are chaotic.