Atlas2,256 of 3,915

Free-fall F2

(1, 0.412, 0.267)

From Li & Liao (2019)

Free-fall F2 (1, 0.412, 0.267) is a periodic orbit of the planar three-body problem: three masses in the ratio 1 : 0.412 : 0.267 that return to their starting positions and velocities every 2.7241 time units, published by Li & Liao (2019). Three bodies released from rest fall together, swing past each other and return to rest exactly where they started. It is unstable (largest Floquet multiplier 254), so a small nudge makes it unravel over a few periods. The bodies pass within 0.000562 of each other at a top speed of 29.6, line up 16 times a period, and the computed loop closes to 8.3×10⁻²⁶.

Measured over one period

Period: 2.724129448
Masses: 1 : 0.412 : 0.267
Energy: -1.13542
Angular momentum: 0
Closest approach: 5.6×10⁻⁴
Top speed: 29.63
Path length: 7.9673
Alignments per period: 16
Stability: unstable (|λ|max 254.0)
Loop closure: 8.3×10⁻²⁶

Neighbours on the map

All Free-fall orbits, the families of periodic three-body orbits, or the atlas map.