On Smale's 6th Problem: A solution in the four-body case

Marshall Hampton (University of Minnesota)

Abstract:

In 1998 Smale formulated 18 problems for the 21st century, the sixth of which was: prove that there are finitely many relative equilibria for positive masses in the planar n-body problem. In joint work with Richard Moeckel, we have proven this result for n = 4 using some refinements of BKK theory and Groebner bases.