N-Body Gravity Simulation
60+ bodies in gravitational orbit
60+ bodies orbiting a central star under gravitational attraction. Watch for orbital resonances and ejections!
What Is N-Body Gravity?
A many-body orbital system with a central massive body and numerous smaller bodies initialized with approximate orbital velocities. Small perturbations create emergent structures and occasional ejections.
What To Observe
- Stable orbits form when initial speed and radius align well.
- Close encounters exchange momentum and can eject lighter bodies.
- The system evolves from orderly rings into more complex structures over time.
Related Simulations
Kepler's Orbits Elliptical orbits with changing speed and equal-area sweeps Gravitational Field Field vectors and potential landscape around gravitating masses Tidal Forces Differential gravity stretches extended bodies into tidal bulges Lagrange Points Equilibrium points in a rotating two-body system Gravitational Slingshot Gravity assist trajectories gain or lose speed near moving planets Escape Velocity Launch speed threshold for bound and unbound trajectories Hohmann Transfer Two-burn transfer ellipse between circular orbits Gravitational Lensing Mass bends light rays into arcs and ring-like images
Try These Experiments
- Regenerate several systems and compare emergent orbital patterns.
- Watch the effect of resonance-like clustering near similar radii.
- Use it to discuss why exact multi-body prediction is difficult.
Real-World Applications
- Orbital mechanics intuition
- Stability and resonance concepts
- Numerical simulation teaching