AstroGrav Help /Sample Simulations /Abstract Systems /Three Body SystemVersion 5.1

Three Body System

This simulation shows three similar objects, with two objects orbiting each other in a close circular orbit, and as a pair orbiting a third object in a much larger and eccentric orbit.

If you set the simulation running, you can watch how it evolves, and see how the system seems to be stable. Since different computers run at different speeds, you may need to edit the evolution time step to get the simulation to run at an acceptable rate.

You can also experiment with editing the system in various ways - for example trying different orbital periods and different eccentricities. Some edits will produce systems that are stable in the long-term, other edits will produce systems that are stable in the short-term but then change to chaotic systems, and yet other edits will produce chaotic systems. In some cases collisions will result in a very simple one or two body system.