Chaotic orbits in a restricted three-body problem: numerical experiments and heuristics

We start with a special case of the restricted three-body problem in which the infinitesimal particle moves on a straight line through the center of mass of two rotating bodies. We study numerically the effect of a small perturbation on the dynamics of the infinitesimal particle. The resulting motion mixes characteristics of the planar three-body problem and of oscillatory motions.