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Direct Integration Methods of the N-Body Problem

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2016

S. J. Aarseth*
Affiliation:
Institute of Theoretical Astronomy, Cambridge, England

Abstract

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A fourth-order polynomial method for the integration of N-body systems is described in detail together with the computational algorithm. Most particles are treated efficiently by an individual time-step scheme but the calculation of close encounters and persistent binary orbits is rather time-consuming and is best performed by special techniques. A discussion is given of the Kustaanheimo-Stiefel regularization procedure which is used to integrate dominant two-body encounters as well as close binaries. Suitable decision-making parameters are introduced and a simple method is developed for regularizing an arbitrary number of simultaneous two-body encounters.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Reidel 1971

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