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In the early months of 2024, Netflix released a television series called ‘3 Body Problem,’ which takes its name from a real mathematical puzzle that has stumped scientists and astronomers for centuries. The problem is one of the most prominent in astronomy, and it challenges scientists to predict a certain type of chaos in space between different celestial bodies.
The problem has inspired a myriad of breakthroughs throughout history, and Netflix’s sci-fi series draws upon this real-life enigma, blending science and storytelling to explore the mysteries of gravitational systems and the cosmos. So, what exactly is the three-body problem, and is there any hope of solving it? Click through this gallery to find out.
In physics, the three-body problem comes into existence when three celestial objects (like stars or planets) orbit each other and become unpredictable. While their initial positions can be known, their future motions become an erratic dance of forces that defies exact mathematical prediction.
In contrast to the chaotic nature of three-body systems, two-body systems (such as binary stars orbiting each other) are orderly and predictable. Their periodic orbits allow scientists to calculate their precise movements from the past and future.
Introducing a third body to a gravitational system throws the delicate balance into disarray. Instead of stable, repeating orbits, the interactions lead to unpredictable and complex trajectories that resemble chaotic paths, tangled in space.
Unlike the neat ellipses of two-body orbits that appear almost like a venn diagram, three-body trajectories create wild patterns comparable to tangled spaghetti. There is massive complexity and instability in such systems.
The three-body problem traces its roots back to the ‘Principia,’ a book published by Isaac Newton in 1687 to explain the universal laws of gravity. While Newton accurately described two-body interactions, he struggled to account for the complexities introduced by a third body.
In his book, Newton also recorded the mathematics of how the planets move in elliptical orbits around the sun. He also noted that Jupiter’s gravity had an effect on Saturn’s orbit.
Newton’s studies extended to the Earth’s moon and its erratic orbit, which caused him significant frustration. He famously referred to the difficulty of predicting its variations as a literal headache.
In 1889, French mathematician and physicist Henri Poincaré earned accolades for his groundbreaking essay on the three-body problem. His work laid the foundation for chaos theory, a field of physics that rose to dominance over the decades.
Chaos theory essentially explores how small uncertainties in a system’s initial conditions (such as a planet’s mass or velocity) can cause it to become massively unpredictable in the future.
Chaos theory reveals that such minor inaccuracies can exponentially magnify over time. This theory applies to any three-body system, since future trajectories or orbits will remain fundamentally unpredictable beyond a certain point.
The unpredictability of three-body systems can be compared to taking a wrong turn while traveling from A to B. If a person takes a wrong turn close to the end of their journey, they’re closer to their destination than if they had taken a misstep at the beginning.
Solving the three-body problem could revolutionize our understanding of how stars and planets (including Earth) move. It would allow scientists to chart their precise long-term movements, which could have profound implications for our planet’s future.
Even slight alterations in Earth’s orbit could drastically impact the planet’s climate. By understanding and predicting these movements, scientists can attain more knowledge on what the human race might be up against.
Despite its reputation as unsolvable, the three-body problem has specific exceptions. In certain scenarios, such as when the three bodies move in a figure-eight path, stable solutions can emerge, but these depend on very specific conditions.
One way in which researchers try to find solutions is with “restricted” three-body problems, where two large bodies dominate (like the sun and Earth) and a smaller object (such as the moon) exerts minimal influence. This approach simplifies calculations and reveals valuable insights.
Three-star systems, like the one featured in Netflix’s ‘3 Body Problem,’ add further complexity to the three-body challenge. Their intense gravitational pull with each other creates unpredictable orbital chaos.
Modern computers are able to simulate three-body systems with far greater efficiency than manual calculations. But these simulations are not exact, since they only provide approximate orbital paths for celestial bodies.
Solving the three-body problem would also be vital to space travel. By modeling interactions among celestial bodies and spacecraft, scientists can identify potential trajectories for missions and create libraries of viable pathways through space.
The three-body problem introduced the concept of Lagrange points, where the gravitational forces between three bodies create pockets of stability as they move around each other. Theoretically, scientists would be able to place satellites in these points in order to further study orbital mechanics.
The three-body problem is a gateway to understanding n-body problems, where more than three objects interact gravitationally. The “n” can be substituted for any number, and these systems are even more chaotic.
The three-body problem has also been used to test Einstein’s theory of general relativity, which is a refinement of Newton’s universal laws of gravity. By observing systems in triple-star arrangements, scientists can study gravitational effects in intense conditions.
The chaotic nature of three-body systems could hypothetically provide clues about how planets form. When early solar systems develop, the interactions in clouds of gas and dust often resemble three-body problems, which influence which bodies survive or are ejected.
Beyond science, the three-body problem has inspired countless literary and artistic interpretations. Its themes of chaos, uncertainty, and celestial beauty resonate with creators, as exemplified in novels like Liu Cixin’s ‘The Three-Body Problem’ (2006), which was adapted into the Netflix show.
While the three-body problem remains unsolved, advancements in computation and mathematical theory continue to bring us closer to understanding its intricacies. Each discovery reveals new possibilities for science and exploration.
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
The three-body problem exemplifies humanity’s relentless pursuit of knowledge. Despite its challenges, the quest to solve this puzzle has endured thanks to the world’s curiosity and determination to unravel the mysteries of the cosmos.
Sources: (Business Insider) (Live Science) (Britannica)
See also: Unsolved mysteries of the universe that have puzzled scientists for centuries
What is the three-body problem, and is it solvable?
The scientific conundrum that has baffled scientists since the days of Isaac Newton
LIFESTYLE Astronomy
In the early months of 2024, Netflix released a television series called ‘3 Body Problem,’ which takes its name from a real mathematical puzzle that has stumped scientists and astronomers for centuries. The problem is one of the most prominent in astronomy, and it challenges scientists to predict a certain type of chaos in space between different celestial bodies.
The problem has inspired a myriad of breakthroughs throughout history, and Netflix’s sci-fi series draws upon this real-life enigma, blending science and storytelling to explore the mysteries of gravitational systems and the cosmos. So, what exactly is the three-body problem, and is there any hope of solving it? Click through this gallery to find out.