Atlas2,235 of 3,915

Free-fall F3

(1, 0.412, 0.267)

From Li & Liao (2019)

Free-fall F3 (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 3.1237 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 1309), so a small nudge makes it unravel over a few periods. The bodies pass within 0.00644 of each other at a top speed of 15.4, line up 14 times a period, and the computed loop closes to 1.6×10⁻²⁷.

Measured over one period

Period: 3.123705249
Masses: 1 : 0.412 : 0.267
Energy: -1.11246
Angular momentum: 0
Closest approach: 0.006438
Top speed: 15.40
Path length: 9.6491
Alignments per period: 14
Stability: unstable (|λ|max 1309)
Loop closure: 1.6×10⁻²⁷

Neighbours on the map

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