CHAOTIC SCATTERING IN THE RESTRICTED 3-BODY PROBLEM .1. THE COPENHAGEN PROBLEM

We consider the scattering motion of the planar restricted three-body problem with two equal masses on a circular orbit. Using the methods o f chaotic scattering we present results on the structure of scattering functions. Their connection with primitive periodic orbits and the un derlying chaotic saddle are studied. Numerical evidence is presented w hich suggests that in some intervals of the Jacobi integral the system is hyperbolic. The Smale horseshoe found there is built from a counta ble infinite number of primitive periodic orbits, where the parabolic orbits play a fundamental role.