Abstract:
We study numerically the scattering of planet-size bodies by a planetary system, which is modelled by a Jupiter-sized planet, revolving around a Sun-like star. The calculations are made in the framework of the planar general three-body problem, and in each case we use 350.000 initial conditions on the 2-D configuration space of the system (impact parameter vs. planet phase angle). The final possible states of the system are (a) flyby, (b) planet exchange, (c) capture and (d) disruption. We find that in parts of the configuration space the boundaries between regions leading to different outcomes are fractal and we discuss how the properties of these boundaries (in particular the uncertainty dimension) and the probability of a certain final state depend on the various parameters of the dynamical system (e.g. mass of the bodies, energy and momentum of the incoming planet).