Abstract:
The motion of an infinitesimal mass under the gravitational field of two radiating bodies of finite mass is investigated analytically, with a focus on the possible existence of libration points, in the framework of the generalized restricted three-body problem. The analysis of Simmons et al. (1985) is extended to the case of an oblate-spheroid (rather than spherical) infinitesimal mass. A general radiation-pressure expression is introduced; the equations of motion are derived; and conditions for the existence of collinear, coplanar, and triangular libration points are obtained. It is shown that in the general case there are seven libration points: three collinear, two coplanar, and two triangular. Nine points are possible for small degrees of infinitesimal-mass oblateness
