The Open Astronomy Journal

2011, 4 : 108-150
Published online 2011 August 15. DOI: 10.2174/1874381101004010108
Publisher ID: TOAAJ-4-108

The Newtonian and Relativistic Theory of Orbits and the Emission of Gravitational Waves

Mariafelicia De Laurentis
IINFN Sez. di Napoli, Compl. Univ. di Monte S. Angelo, Edificio G, Via Cinthia, I-80126, Napoli, Italy

ABSTRACT

This review paper is devoted to the theory of orbits. We start with the discussion of the Newtonian problem of motion then we consider the relativistic problem of motion, in particular the post-Newtonian (PN) approximation and the further gravitomagnetic corrections. Finally by a classification of orbits in accordance with the conditions of motion, we calculate the gravitational waves luminosity for different types of stellar encounters and orbits.