Atlas2,227 of 3,915

Free-fall F27

(1, 0.8, 0.2)

From Li & Liao (2019)

Free-fall F27 (1, 0.8, 0.2) is a periodic orbit of the planar three-body problem: three masses in the ratio 1 : 0.8 : 0.2 that return to their starting positions and velocities every 3.1512 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 674.5), so a small nudge makes it unravel over a few periods. The bodies pass within 0.00000431 of each other at a top speed of 545, line up 36 times a period, and the computed loop closes to 2.9×10⁻²¹.

Measured over one period

Period: 3.151160445
Masses: 1 : 0.8 : 0.2
Energy: -1.82598
Angular momentum: 0
Closest approach: 4.3×10⁻⁶
Top speed: 545.0
Path length: 10.909
Alignments per period: 36
Stability: unstable (|λ|max 674.5)
Loop closure: 2.9×10⁻²¹

Neighbours on the map

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