Chaos, lanetary Motion and the nBody Problem混沌，行星的运动和N体问题.pptVIP

Planetary Motion What paths do planets follow? Why? Will they stay that way forever? E pur si muove! Aristarchos (~310 B.C) suggested a heliocentric universe. Johannes Kepler (1571 - 1630) Observed that orbits tend to follow elliptical paths with the Sun at one focus Found by astronomical observation. Scientists were still unclear as to the reason why. Sir Isaac Newton (1642 - 1742) Formulated three laws of motion From these laws, derived the Law of Universal Gravitation Sir Isaac Newton (1642 - 1742) Formulated three laws of motion From these laws, derived the Law of Universal Gravitation What does that all mean? Scientists now had equations that govern the motion of planets Johann Bernoulli showed that when there were two planets in a stable system, the orbit was elliptical. Kepler was right! Other unstable orbits were also possible: Hyperbolas, Parabolas (comets!) What about more than two planets? What does that all mean? Scientists now had equations that govern the motion of planets Johann Bernoulli showed that when there were two planets in a stable system, the orbit was elliptical. Kepler was right! Other unstable orbits were also possible: Hyperbolas, Parabolas (comets!) What about more than two planets? What does that all mean? Scientists now had equations that govern the motion of planets Johann Bernoulli showed that when there were two bodies in a stable system, the orbit was elliptical. Kepler was right! Other unstable orbits were also possible: Hyperbolas, Parabolas (comets!) What about more than two bodies? Some Simple Solutions King Oscar II (1829 – 1907) King Oscar II of Sweden was concerned about the future of the Solar System Offered a prize if someone could find a solution for the general n-body problem Henri Poincaré (1854 – 1912) The greatest applied mathematician of his time Soon realised that he may have bitten off somewhat more than he could chew Even the 3-body problem turns out to be far more tricky than prev