TBP_sketch_005.gif "Alpha Centauri"

animated gif, 30 sec, 60fps, recorded on PICO8; sketch source code: https://github.com/atomoton/ThreeBodyProblem/blob/a76e34e59502e03a57091a3848631c3fced43eae/WIP/chaos_theory.p8 ; The Three Body Problem is the task of predicting accurately the positions and speeds of three orbiting bodies. The equations that govern this are deterministic, yet the task is impossible, and small errors feed forward and lead to total unpredictability. IN THIS SKETCH we see an example of a seemingly stable system. A rare outcome, not unlike our closest galactic neighbor, Alpha Centauri. I don't know how long this system remains stable. My simulation does not yet have access to these timescales, but I'm working on it.