Abstract
We present the results of a numerical search for periodic orbits of three equal masses moving in a plane under the influence of Newtonian gravity, with zero angular momentum. A topological method is used to classify periodic three-body orbits into families, which fall into four classes, with all three previously known families belonging to one class. The classes are defined by the orbits’ geometric and algebraic symmetries. In each class we present a few orbits’ initial conditions, 15 in all; 13 of these correspond to distinct orbits.
- Received 2 November 2012
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.114301
© 2013 American Physical Society
Synopsis
New Orbits for Three Bodies
Published 14 March 2013
The surprisingly complex behavior of three gravitationally attracted bodies includes several previously unknown periodic orbits.
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