Existence classification of triangular relative equilibria in positive curvature

Let μ(0,μT)\mu\in(0,\mu_{\operatorname{T}}) be the mass ratio and let κ>0\kappa>0 be the curvature parameter. Denote the classical triangular relative equilibria by L4\operatorname{L}_4 and L5\operatorname{L}_5, and the additional triangular equilibria by T1\operatorname{T}_1 and T2\operatorname{T}_2.

Triangular existence classification conjecture. There exist κ4(μ)<κ5(μ)\kappa_4(\mu)<\kappa_5(\mu) in (0,π2/4)(0,\pi^2/4) such that there are two triangular relative equilibria, L4\operatorname{L}_4 and L5\operatorname{L}_5, for 0<κ<κ40<\kappa<\kappa_4; four triangular relative equilibria, two continuations of L4,L5\operatorname{L}_4,\operatorname{L}_5 together with T1,T2\operatorname{T}_1,\operatorname{T}_2, for κ4<κ<κ5\kappa_4<\kappa<\kappa_5; and no triangular relative equilibria for κ5<κ<π2/4\kappa_5<\kappa<\pi^2/4. The equilibria T1,T2\operatorname{T}_1,\operatorname{T}_2 are created when L3\operatorname{L}_3 undergoes a subcritical pitchfork bifurcation at κ=κ4\kappa=\kappa_4, while simultaneous saddle-node bifurcations at κ=κ5\kappa=\kappa_5 cause the pairs (L4,T1)(\operatorname{L}_4,\operatorname{T}_1) and (L5,T2)(\operatorname{L}_5,\operatorname{T}_2) to collide and disappear.

The classification is based on numerical observations and computer-assisted proofs, but the source states that rigorous existence proofs for the bifurcation curves remain incomplete for some parameter values.

Sources & referencesView supporting material

Primary source

Miguel Ayala, Carlos Barrera-Anzaldo and Luis C. García-Naranjo, “Lagrange points of the restricted three-body problem in spaces of constant curvature”, arXiv:2607.19148 (2026).

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