Murison continued the generation of millions of orbit-orbit distance function parameter solutions for which the number of stationary points is maximized, using his numerical program created for this specific purpose, which in turn incorporates a genetic algorithm. He has begun the task of analyzing the pile of accumulated data. He also worked on the paper describing results from the first stage of the orbit-orbit distance project.

Murison prepared for the arrival of returning summer student Andrei Munteanu (Harvard). (See also here and here.) This summer, Murison and Munteanu will be working on a new project that incorporates as its framework the elliptic restricted three-body problem (ERTB), which has a rich dynamics, including chaotic trajectories and fractal phase space structures, as well as immediate application to capture of planetary satellites. (Murison and Efroimsky need, for another problem, the distribution of inclinations of satellites captured by Mars.) Murison did a thorough literature search to bring himself up to speed on current directions and to help educate Munteanu. Murison is also introducing perturbations to the 3D ERTB equations in order to broaden application of the framework and address satellite capture timing issues. Gas drag and simple forms of non-Keplerian motion of the primary masses will be useful. Murison started development of a numerical program that integrates the ERTB equations and analyzes the results.

Murison created a several astronomical calculator applications for use by him, colleagues, and the public. The new calculators are a searchable database of asteroid orbital elements, plots of the altitude and azimuth of the Sun throughout a given day, and a plot of the analemma of the Sun at noon for any location. The latter two make use of the database of American cities that the sunrise/set/transit/twilight times calculator (mentioned last month) uses. These calculators are a successful test, the result of which is that the AA Department now has the capability of making efficient database SQL transactions and of easily creating fast, on-the-fly plots for its popular web site.

Murison refereed a paper for Celestial Mechanics.

Murison continued his duties as DDA Secretary.