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II.C.256

From Li & Liao (2017)

II.C.256 is a periodic orbit of the planar three-body problem: three equal masses that return to their starting positions and velocities every 189.93 time units, published by Li & Liao (2017). The largest class in the atlas: hundreds of II.C orbits for seven mass ratios. It is unstable (largest Floquet multiplier 2026), so a small nudge makes it unravel over a few periods. The bodies pass within 0.00227 of each other at a top speed of 21, line up 186 times a period, and the computed loop closes to 1.8×10⁻²⁵.

Measured over one period

Period: 189.9268027
Masses: 1 : 1 : 1
Energy: -1.31263
Angular momentum: 0
Closest approach: 0.002269
Top speed: 20.99
Path length: 486.19
Alignments per period: 186
Topology: aaBAbaBAbaBAbaBAbaBAbaBAbbABabABabABabABabABabAAbaBAbaBAbaBAbaBAbbABabABabABabABabABaaBAbaBAbaBAbaBAbaBBabABabABabABabABabAB (free-group class)
Stability: unstable (|λ|max 2026)
Loop closure: 1.8×10⁻²⁵

Neighbours on the map

All II.C orbits, the families of periodic three-body orbits, or the atlas map.