AST-9619574 Analytical Explanations of Chaos and Order in Planetary Motions. An understanding of the origin and evolution mf planetary systems and their constituent bodies has to incorporate a clarification of the nature of chaos and order in planetary motions. Drs. Varadi and Kaula, at the University of California at Los Angeles, will investigate and clarify the causes of these seemingly distinct types of behaviors. The work seeks analytical explanations for the chaotic nature of the motion of the Jovian planets. A more complete understanding of the role of chaos may lead to a better understanding of the formation and clearing of the resonance gaps in the asteroid belt, the range of possible stable orbits in and around the giant planet zones, and the long- term stability of planets in the terrestrial zone. ===================================
