On the stability of circular orbits in galactic dynamics: Newtonian thin
  disks
  The study of off-equatorial orbits in razor-thin disks is still in its
beginnings. Contrary to what was presented in the literature in recent
publications, the vertical stability criterion for equatorial circular orbits
cannot be based on the vertical epicyclic frequency, because of the
discontinuity in the gravitational field on the equatorial plane. We present a
rigorous criterion for the vertical stability of circular orbits in systems
composed by a razor-thin disk surrounded by a smooth axially symmetric
distribution of matter, the latter representing additional structures such as
thick disk, bulge and (dark matter) halo. This criterion is satisfied once the
mass surface density of the thin disk is positive. Qualitative and quantitative
analyses of nearly equatorial orbits are presented. In particular, the analysis
of nearly equatorial orbits allows us to construct an approximate analytical
third integral of motion in this region of phase-space, which describes the
shape of these orbits in the meridional plane.
