> Look at this: > http://www.fourmilab.ch/gravitation/orbits/ > > the result is very similar to your simulations.
Thanks Michele. Yes, I've generated simulations very similar to what is shown here. This particular run looks to me as if the algorithm used 1/r^3 (a cube value) to generate the orbital plot. When I ran those type of formulas I noticed it was extremely difficult to achieve a stable orbital period. Typically the satellite would spiral out of control in no time. The tracks left reminded me of the vapor trails one observes in a cloud chamber. The graphic showing the Effective Potential is very revealing. I recently "re-discovered" that phenomenon as well. You can plot orbital periods on a time plot based on Effective Potential rules. I think an individual named Miles Mathis noticed something similar to this as well. He wrote about it in his self-published book. However, IMHO, I think Miles got his facts wrong! Many think he is a crank. This is a very informative web site. Thanks! Terry, other runs & algorithms I've experimented with imitate something akin to what looks like an electron cloud much more than this example. There is soooo much more to do. I've only scratched the surface. Mark, Kinkade recently died of an overdose of taking prescription drugs presumably from pain he was experiencing. I hope he is in a better place now. Perhaps when he recycles back he will be an artist one more time, but this time he will allow himself to follow his heart as compared to following his bank account. I thought Kinkade was a talented artist who ended up wasting the bulk of his talent churning out the same theme over and over. Well, he made a ton of money, but I wonder if he was really all that happy. Dave, as for me I've tried to keep my plots very simple, involving just a single attractive gravitational nucleus and a single orbiting satellite. But look at the incredible complexity I've stumbled across working with just two objects! I've often wondered what it would be like to plot an entire solar system. Looks like you worked more on the macro level whereas I'm currently working more on a micro/atomic level. More to do... more to do... scurry, scurry scurry! Regards Steven Vincent Johnson www.OrionWorks.com www.zazzle.com/orionworks
