13 New solutions to the three body problem found.


BaalChatzaf

Recommended Posts

http://news.sciencemag.org/physics/2013/03/physicists-discover-whopping-13-new-solutions-three-body-problem

here are some solutions Isaac Newton never thought of.

For the mathematically valiant see this: http://arxiv.org/pdf/1303.0181v1.pdf

Ba'al Chatzaf

Link to comment
Share on other sites

From the article:

The orbit is basically always an ellipse. However, Newton couldn't come up with a similar solution for the case of three bodies orbiting one another . . . . Somehow, initial conditionsstarting points, velocities, and so onmust be found that bring the objects back to those conditions so the whole dance can start over again.

end quote

Sort of like a plot from StarTrek TNG. Do we violate the prime directive and tell the people of this planet that they are going to inevitably collide with the second planet in their solar system, and then in a billion years with the Andromeda Galaxy?

Outside of a computer simulation, I think a shifting core AND/OR one extra variable will increase the odds of a chaotic system developing. If the variable is an intelligent race, we may eventually solve the collision problem. So, we would need to program a computer to simulate planned changes in the human genome to increase our intelligence and rationality.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now