Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2021/iii/paper-316/4/vi/solution

For , at conjunction
The stable geometry puts conjunctions a quarter orbit from either node, where has maximum vertical separation from the inner body's plane and close approaches are avoided. Therefore or , and both possibilities give
This is resonance protection: the resonant phase moves conjunctions away from the two node crossings, where the physical separation would be smallest.

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