The representation theory of finite groups provides tools for factorizing the characteristic polyonomials of the matrices which
appear when one studies the linear stability of symmetrical relative equilibria of the N-body problem. Such factorizations go back to the
work of J. C. Maxwell on the nature and stability of Saturn rings, and it is interesting to notice that Maxwell's work appeared decades
before the pioneering works of Frobenius and Burnside on group representation theory. In the talk we will present the basic concepts
which permit to understand and systematize Maxwell's factorization, and provide a view on how to proceed for general symmetric relative
equilibria.
PhD from University of Minnesota (2001), Post-doctorate at the
Bureau des Longitudes, Observatoire de Paris (2002) and Visiting
professorships at Wilfrid Laurier University (2010, 2011). Professor
at Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil, since 2002. Main
research interests: Celestial Mechanics, especially central
configurations and relative equilibria, and Mathematical Physics.
Contact at the MS2Discovery Research Institute:
Manuele Santoprete (Host of the speaker, Multidisciplinary Talk, Tectons 3, and others)
Refreshments will be provided
