General Relativistic Effects on Kepler Systems

The Kepler satellite has observed several extra-solar planetary systems. The masses of the planets are determined from their observed cross sectional area; and the density is inferred from a stability analysis of the planetary systems using Newtonian gravity. Using post-Newtonian equations, we explore how general relativistic effects alter the stability properties of planetary systems, and possible changes to the inferred masses of the Kepler planets. We also explore the chaotic nature of 3-body systems in general relativity.