Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Physicists Discover 13 New Solutions To Three-Body Problem

Posted by Unknown on from the mystical-spheres dept.

sciencehabit writes "It's the sort of abstract puzzle that keeps a scientist awake at night: Can you predict how three objects will orbit each other in a repeating pattern? In the 300 years since this 'three-body problem' was first recognized, just three families of solutions have been found. Now, two physicists have discovered 13 new families. It's quite a feat in mathematical physics, and it could conceivably help astrophysicists understand new planetary systems." The paper is available at arxiv.

5 of 127 comments (clear)

  1. Never thought it would be so hard to have a 3some by oodaloop · · Score: 5, Funny

    Though I'll admit it's entirely theoretical for me so far.

    --
    Tic-Tac-Toe, Global Thermonuclear War, and relationships all have the same winning move.
  2. Re:anonymous coward discovers new way to first pos by K.+S.+Kyosuke · · Score: 5, Funny

    naked and petrified!

    You mean the paleolithic version of the three body problem?

    --
    Ezekiel 23:20
  3. See the actual orbits by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    The orbit gallery

    Click on an orbit and look at the "real space" diagram to see the actual paths of the planets.

  4. Re:Oh, you're talking about THAT three-body proble by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I think just getting the girlfriend into bed (or having one, for that matter) is sufficient of a problem for most scientists.

  5. Re:Oh, you're talking about THAT three-body proble by K.+S.+Kyosuke · · Score: 5, Funny

    I think just getting the girlfriend into bed (or having one, for that matter) is sufficient of a problem for most scientists.

    Well, at least they've already solved in for a spherical girlfriend in vacuum.

    --
    Ezekiel 23:20