"Theoretical Orbits of Planets in Binary Star Systems"
This research shows that an amazing diversity of planetary orbits are possible in some binary star systems. With numerous diagrams and some java animations.

"Stable Zones for Planetary Orbits in Binary Star Systems"
The stable zones for S-type and P-type orbits are much larger than found by other studies.
The many stable orbits in the proposed large extensions of the stable zones are retrograde.

"Theoretical detection of triple star systems with figure-eight orbits"
Examines how we might discover a real figure-eight orbit, includes a java animation, plus predicted eclipse cycle, light curves and radial velocity curves.

Animation of twin-earth orbit
Science fiction writers sometimes ask whether it would be possible for Earth to share its orbit with another planet of similar mass. Here's a greatly simplified simulation which shows it happening.

Animations of the planet orbiting Gamma Cephei
Two java animations of the orbit of this recently discovered planet in a close binary star system.

"The Forward Euler Method in the n-body problem"
Abstract: The Euler method when properly implemented is a 2nd order method and is time-reversible.

"The Runge Kutta 4th-order method in the gravitational n-body problem"
Abstract: Special techniques are required when implementing the classical Runge Kutta 4th-order method to simulate a gravitational n-body system.

Special Relativity Calculator
This tiny educational java applet is about Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity. You specify the relative speed of a spaceship, and the program calculates length contraction, time dilation and mass increase.

Data for orbit simulators

Programming

Links

Snefru main page

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