Constrained N-body problems

Abstract

We consider a problem of mass points interacting gravitationally whose motion is subjected to certain holonomic constraints. The motion of points is restricted to certain curves and surfaces. We illustrate the complicated behaviour of trajectories of these systems using Poincar\'e cross sections. For some models we prove the non-integrability analysing properties of the differential Galois group of variational equations along certain particular solutions of considered systems. Also some integrable cases are identified.