Deterministic and Random Perturbations of the Kepler Problem

Abstract

We investigate perturbations in the Kepler problem. We offer an overview of the dynamical system using Newtonian, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Mechanics to build a foundation for analyzing perturbations. We consider the effects of a deterministic perturbation in the form of a first order relativistic correction which change bounded orbits from standard to precessing ellipses. We also consider the effects of stochastic perturbations with certain potentials and evaluate the analytical results of mean exit times using Monte Carlo simulations.