We study the dynamics of two homogeneous rigid ellipsoids subject to their mutual gravitational influence. assume that spin axis each ellipsoid coincides with its shortest physical and is perpendicular orbital plane. Due such assumptions, problem planar depends on particular parameters ellipsoids, most notably, equatorial oblateness flattening respect axes. consider models for configuration: wh...

To understand the formation and evolution of exoplanet systems, we would like to have empirical theoretical tools for predicting whether a given planetary system is stable—or, more precisely, what is its lifetime before some catastrophic event such as a collision or ejection—without having to integrate the planetary orbits for the lifetime of the host star. There are two discouraging lessons fr...